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.