Tag: vitto brown

TBT 2020 Big X vs. D2: How to watch, game predictions

How to watch and predictions for round one of the TBT

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:

D2’s starting lineup:

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

TBT 2020 starts tomorrow: Here’s what Wisconsin basketball fans should know

TBT 2020 begins tomorrow

The Basketball Tournament, also known as TBT, has become a summer hoops staple over the past few years. The winner-take-all, single elimination tournament that features a unique ending to games has provided high-level competition amongst former and current college and pro ballers.

One major rule difference in TBT play is known as the elam ending. At the end of games, teams play to a target score rather than playing with a clock. All games must end on a made basket, a formula that was adopted in the 2020 NBA All-Star Game and led to a fantastic, dramatic finish that made up for many all-star games that had turned into glorified pickup ball.

This year, the tournament will look slightly different, as does just about everything in these uncertain times. TBT 2020 will take place over just ten days, from July 4 to July 14. The bracket has already been set, and the winner will split a $1 million dollar prize. All games will be on ESPN and ESPN2.

The two teams that Wisconsin fans should be specifically rooting for are Big X and Team Hines, as both feature Badger alums. Big X is a team made up of mostly Big Ten alumni, including three Badgers in Vitto Brown, Kahlil Iverson, and Trevon Hughes. They were supposed to open the tournament in the first game of the event against Jackson TN Underdawgs, although the Underdawgs were replaced by D2 after they had a positive COVID-19 test.

D2 is a squad made up of former division 2 stars, and they should give a trio of former Badgers a solid first-round battle.

Team Hines is the only other squad that features a former Badger in Ethan Happ. Happ joins a talented roster of Euroleague stars that should have a chance to compete for a championship. They open the tournament on July 5 at 4pm against Sideline Cancer.

Stay tuned on ESPN and ESPN2 as talented former Badgers battle for a major prize over the next ten days.