What is TBT?
TBT is an acronym for The Basketball Tournament, a single-elimination summer basketball tournament featuring professional, college alumni, and international teams. Founded in 2014, TBT has grown to become one of the top summer basketball events in the world. It is held annually in the United States and is open to teams from all over the world.
How Many Teams are in TBT?
The number of teams in TBT varies from year to year, but the tournament typically features more than 80 teams. The teams are divided into four divisions, each of which features 20 or more teams. The divisions are:
- Elite 8: This division includes the top 8 teams in the tournament, each of which is guaranteed a spot in the quarterfinals.
- Upper 32: This division includes 32 teams that are invited to compete in the tournament. These teams are typically college alumni, professional, or international teams.
- Open 24: This division includes 24 teams that have earned spots in the tournament through the Open Bracket, which allows teams to win their way into the tournament through online qualifiers.
- Last Chance Qualifiers (LCQ): This division includes 8 teams that have earned spots in the tournament through online qualifiers. The LCQ teams compete in a one-day tournament for the final four spots in the tournament.
How Are Teams Selected for TBT?
TBT features a mix of teams that are invited to compete and teams that have earned spots through the tournament’s qualifying process. The tournament’s Elite 8 teams are invited to compete, while the remaining teams are selected through the Open Bracket and the Last Chance Qualifiers.
The Open Bracket is a series of online qualifiers in which teams compete for spots in the tournament. Teams can sign up for the Open Bracket and compete in a series of qualifying tournaments. The top 24 teams from the Open Bracket are then invited to compete in the tournament.
The Last Chance Qualifiers are a series of online tournaments in which teams compete for the final four spots in the tournament. The top 8 teams from the LCQ are then invited to compete in the tournament.
What Are the Rules of TBT?
TBT follows standard basketball rules, with a few exceptions. The tournament features a 40-minute game, with four 10-minute quarters. There are no overtime periods; if the game is tied after 40 minutes, the teams will play a 5-minute sudden death period.
In addition, TBT has a “Winner Take All” format, meaning that the winning team takes home all of the prize money. The prize money is divided among the Elite 8 teams, with the winning team taking home the lion’s share.
What Are the Prizes in TBT?
TBT features a prize pool of more than $2 million, with the winning team taking home the lion’s share. The prize money is divided among the Elite 8 teams, with the winning team taking home the largest prize. In addition, the winning team also receives a championship trophy and the right to host the tournament in the following year.
Who Are Some Notable Teams in TBT?
TBT has featured a variety of notable teams, including college alumni teams, professional teams, and international teams. Some of the most notable teams in the tournament include:
- Overseas Elite: This team is composed of former college basketball players who have played professionally overseas. Overseas Elite has won the tournament three times and is the only team to have won the tournament in consecutive years.
- Carmen’s Crew: This team is composed of former Ohio State basketball players and has won the tournament twice.
- Golden Eagles: This team is composed of former Marquette basketball players and has won the tournament once.
- Team Hines: This team is composed of former Duke basketball players and has won the tournament once.
What Are Some of the Biggest Moments in TBT History?
TBT has featured a number of memorable moments since its inception in 2014. Some of the biggest moments include:
- Overseas Elite’s Three-Peat: In 2016, Overseas Elite became the first team to win the tournament in back-to-back years. The team completed the three-peat in 2017, becoming the first team to win the tournament three times.
- Carmen’s Crew’s Repeat: In 2018, Carmen’s Crew became the second team to win the tournament in back-to-back years, defeating Overseas Elite in the championship game.
- The Rise of Team Hines: In 2019, Team Hines emerged from the Open Bracket to become the first team to win the tournament from the Open Bracket.
What Are the Biggest Takeaways from TBT?
TBT has become one of the most popular summer basketball tournaments in the world. The tournament provides an opportunity for teams from all over the world to compete for a prize pool of more than $2 million. The tournament also provides a platform for former college basketball players to showcase their skills.
Conclusion
TBT is a single-elimination summer basketball tournament featuring more than 80 teams from all over the world. The tournament features a “Winner Take All” format and a prize pool of more than $2 million. The tournament has featured a number of memorable moments and has become one of the most popular summer basketball tournaments in the world.