In game one of the 2020 TBT (The Basketball Tournament), three former Badgers will lead Big X, a team made up of Big Ten basketball alumni, against D2, a squad made of up former NCAA Division II stars. Here is all you need to know to get you ready for the matchup:
HOW TO WATCH: 3 PM ET on ESPN, WatchESPN
Former Badger Vitto Brown gets the start for Big X:
Starting 🖐#BigX pic.twitter.com/ICxAk1ClOb
— Big X (@BigX_tbt) July 4, 2020
D2’s starting lineup:
Starting 🖐️@D2unheraldedTBT #DeshaunThrower@Mike_Davis_4 @DMayfieldSr @sullyballer1423#WendellDavis pic.twitter.com/72WNQNegXh
— Zoom The TBT (@zoomthetbt) July 4, 2020
Game Prediction: Round one pits two 2019 second-round exits against each other. D2 features a talented roster of former Division II stars that upset a Kentucky alumni team in round one last season. Led by SG Mike Davis, they feature a number of guys who can get buckets in any given game. Big X is looking to get over the second round hump after being blown out by ultimate champion Carmen’s Crew last season after winning their opening game. Three Badgers in Vitto Brown, Kahlil Iverson, and Trevon Hughes join together with a number of Ohio State alums to make some magic happen in Columbus.
In the end, the size of Big X inside led by former Michigan State big man Nick Ward will prove to be too much for D2. Expect Vitto Brown, who is coming off of his best G-League season with the Erie Bayhawks, to have a solid showing for Big X on their way to a win.
Score: Big X 82 D2 74