The Basketball Tournament is back for the 2024 season! While the NBA Summer League is over, there is plenty of summer basketball yet to be played. The Big3 rolls on, and now fans get to enjoy TBT, The Basketball Tournament. Games will be featured on ESPN throughout the tournament, and we’ll have you covered with picks and predictions for each and every matchup. TBT believes “high stakes competition is the most powerful force in sports.” They’ll offer an open tournament and games of consequence daily which should result in some electrifying competition. Let’s take a look at our top picks for today’s TBT action.
Today’s 2024 The Basketball Tournament (TBT) Picks
Here are our top picks for today’s 2024 TBT action.
The Ville vs. Team DRC
The Ville added a 71-69 win over Sideline Cancer to move on to the next round. David Johnson led the way with 18 points, and Russ Smith scored 16. However, Montrezl Harrell added the two clutch free throws to secure the win. Louisville is filled with former stars and guys who have played professional basketball for a long time. They'll take on Team DRC, who defeated Team Fredette 79-74. Team DRC has depth and many players they're comfortable with playing. However, Team DRC rarely shoots threes and nailed 53.3% from deep last time. That's probably not sustainable against The Ville. Let's grab The Ville at -6.5 (-110).
Pick: The Ville -6.5 (-110)
Heartfire vs. Carmen’s Crew
Team Heartfire has been getting the job done, but not in a way that inspires confidence for when opponents get better. They squeezed by Rise and Grind, 68-64, in their opener and escaped We Are D3, 70-68. The offense will have to pick it up (69 ppg) against Carmen’s Crew, but that will be easier said than done. Carmen’s Crew has allowed just 59 ppg while scoring 82 ppg. From what we’ve seen in the TBT, Heartfire has done enough to win against lesser teams, and that’s it. Carmen’s Crew is not a lesser team but a legitimate contender. There is no reason to think Heartfire will suddenly get on track against one of the best teams in the TBT.
Pick: Carmen’s Crew ML (+160)
Happy Valley Hoopers vs. Zoo Crew
Two of the best shooting teams of this tournament square off as the Happy Valley Hoopers take on Zoo Crew. Scoring 91 PPG, they’ve connected on 40% of their shots from downtown. This 5-seed has upset their way to the round of 16 on this hot shooting. Unfortunately for them, Zoo Crew has been even hotter offensively. At 94.5 PPG they’ve also been scorching from deep, making 43.3% from beyond the arch. Although both of these teams have impressed thus far, Happy Valley Hoopers are coming off an upset of one of the tournament favorites, Stars of Storrs. This Happy Valley Hooper team is talented, scoring and rebounding well. I like them to continue their dream run in the TBT.
Pick: Happy Valley Hoopers ML (+135)
Team Colorado vs. Mass Street
Mass Street, the Kansas alumni team, pounded a good Florida TNT side in Round 2 by 17 points. Mass was led by LaGerald Vick, who ended up with 19 points, while Dedric Lawson and Billy Preston each managed 13 points. They ended up shooting 46.7% (28-of-60) from the field, including 41.9% (13-of-31) from behind the arc, and four starters and five players had at least two successful 3-pointer makes. Mass Street managed just 46.7% (7-of-15) from the free-throw line, leaving plenty of points on the floor. If not for that, it would have blown out TNT even more. Meanwhile, Team Colorado was led by Andre Roberson in a 65-61 win over Aftershocks. Roberson hit 8-of-16 from the floor, with three triples. He had nine boards, too, while chipping in with two assists, two steals and a blocked shot. Team Colorado has a pair of four-point wins, showing they can find a way to win in the close battles. However, Mass Street has too much depth, and it will get the job done.
Pick: Mass Street -3.5 (-110)
