As the TBT website says, “A 2010 text thread sparked a revolutionary idea. Could a fully open tournament model like the FA Cup be combined with a high stakes, winner-take-all format to create a new, alternative, underdog-driven, professional sports property? After years of refining the concept, pitching TV partners and sponsors, the TBT founders realized they would need to launch the tournament themselves. In 2014, Zach Lowe announced the concept, thus introducing the world to TBT.
With the first game’s tip-off a few months later at 8:30 AM in Philadelphia in front of 17 fans, the event was born. It has since hosted over 400 games, partnered with ESPN for global distribution, introduced a new way to end basketball games, paid out over $10 million in prizes, crowned seven champions, and made basketball fun again!”
This year, a section of the bracket made it’s way to the Charleston Civic Center. This particular section included a Marshall Alumni team (Herd That), and a WVU Alumni team (Best Virginia). One would like to think that it’s just a bunch of washed up “old guys” gathering for one last run at glory by splitting the winning share of one million dollars. This is more than that; far, far more! This is high quality basketball! Not only featuring college greats, but talent that has been on an NBA roster.
These teams also include talent from the international overseas level. It doesn’t stop there. Scouts are watching these games, and noticing that some of these guys are “still” top level talent; some of which belong on an NBA G-League team, or an International team. This is high level basketball just short of the NBA. Players from around the league are tuning in, tweeting about it, etc… Coaches are asking for film on certain individuals.
In 2019, Best Virginia would be bounced out of the tournament, but proved to be a force mimicking the style of aggressiveness, tough defense, and the mental capacity that a Bob Huggins team is known for. In 2020, the team would not compete due to Covid-19 protocols. This year, the team is back with the likes of Kevin Jones, Nathan Adrian, John Flowers, and Tarik Phillip just to name a few.
They compete tonight for a chance to move on to Dayton in the field of eight. Not much has changed from 2010 when WVU made it to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament. Kevin Jones is still an elite scorer/rebounder. John Flowers is still money in the clutch moments. Nate Adrian (the gentleman from a latter WVU squad) stepped up on Monday night to help his team advance. It’s like they never missed a beat. It’s also beneficial when former players return to campus to work out, lift weights, etc…Best Virginia will take on six seed (Team 23) tonight at 9pm.
Last year seemed to be a coming out party of sorts for (Herd That). The Elmore brothers (Jon and Ot) drained three after three to help the team make it to the quarterfinals, only to be knocked out by (Overseas Elite) the eventual champion. Fast forward to this year, and the team looked poised to make another deep run, but were upset by six seed (Team 23). With WVU winning the latter game this could have set up an in-state rivalry match up featuring (Best Virginia) vs (Herd That).
A matchup for the ages that would have taken place right smack dab in the middle of the state. Fans flocking to once again see the blue and gold taking on the green and white. What a sight that would have been! The bragging rights, the bickering, a battleground mixture of talent from both schools. One thing is for sure! Next year, and the year after, and the year after that will always be a possibility. Of course, adding to the drama of it being in Charleston, WV again? Time will tell.
Conclusion: With the section of the bracket being in Charleston, it gave fans a reason to celebrate after a tough year and a half of a pandemic. Flocking to restaurants before games for pre-game meals and drinks, rooting for “that other school” while waiting on the on your particular team to play. All in hopes of the “Backyard Brawl” (sort of) being played once again. This is a win for the city. This is a win for the state. It’s an all around win for the community. Here is to hoping that the TBT will once again return to Charleston in the near future.
The TBT is the real deal, and continues to grow year after year. Seth Greenberg mentioned that he loves the downtown area of Charleston. It’s not very often that you have ESPN commentators on the call at the Charleston Civic Center. Sideline commentator and current (Cleveland Cavs) sideline reporter, Angel Gray, has also grown quite fond of “quaint” downtown Charleston. The championship for the tournament is in Dayton, Ohio on August 3rd at 9pm.
Written by Joshua Petry
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Featured Photo Courtesy Of https://www.chaswvccc.com/events/2021/tbt–west-virginia-regional-2021
