The Basketball Tournament 2018

The Basketball Tournament 2018 was the fifth edition of The Basketball Tournament, a 5-on-5, single elimination basketball tournament broadcast by the ESPN family of networks. The tournament involved 72 teams; it started on June 29 and continued through August 3, 2018.[2] The winner of the final, Overseas Elite, received a two million dollar prize.[3]

The Basketball Tournament
2018
Tournament information
DatesJune 29–August 3, 2018
Tournament
format(s)
Single elimination
Host(s)
Participants72
PurseUS$2,000,000 winner-take-all
Final positions
ChampionsOverseas Elite
Runner-upEberlein Drive
Tournament statistics
MVPD. J. Kennedy
Top scorer(s)Jimmer Fredette (155 pts)[1]
Games played71
← 2017
2019 →

Format

The tournament started with a field of 72 teams, organized into four regions of 18 teams, all of which were seeded. The 18 teams in each region consisted of: nine teams selected based on fan popularity per the tournament's website, four teams selected via at-large bids, four teams accepted via buy-in of a $5000 fee, and the returning regional winner from the 2017 tournament.[2]

2018 Regional winners
RegionTeam
NortheastBoeheim's Army
MidwestScarlet & Gray
SouthOverseas Elite
WestTeam Challenge ALS

Dunk contest

Derek Cooke

The Puma Hoops Dunk Contest was held during the Super 16 round, on July 27, with six contestants. There were four celebrity judges: Dominique Wilkins, Terry Rozier, God Shammgod, and Instagram personality @dunk. The contest winner was Marcus Lewis of Illinois BC, with Derek Cooke of Team Fredette as the runner-up; they were awarded prizes of $40,000 and $10,000, respectively.[4][5]

Venues

The Basketball Tournament 2018 took place in eight locations.[6][7] Orange dots mark the locations of the two regional pods, red dots mark regional locations, the blue dot marks the Super 16 and quarterfinal location, and the green dot marks the semifinal and finals location.

Alumni Teams

Multiple teams in the tournament were comprised mostly or exclusively of alumni of a particular school. These teams are listed below.

RegionSeedTeamSchoolOrigins of name
Northeast1Boeheim's ArmySyracuse OrangeSyracuse head coach Jim Boeheim
3Golden EaglesMarquette Golden Eagles
5GaelnationIona Gaels
6Jack AttackGeorgetown HoyasJack the Bulldog
7Team ArkansasArkansas Razorbacks
9Saints AliveSiena Saints
11Hall InSeton Hall Pirates
14JohnniesSt. John's Red StormCommon nickname
Midwest1Scarlet & GrayOhio State BuckeyesTeam colors
3Hilton Magic LegendsIowa State CyclonesHilton Coliseum, Iowa State's home arena
5Always a BraveBradley Braves
7Zoo CrewPittsburgh PanthersPitt's Oakland Zoo student section
8Bearcat JamCincinnati Bearcats
9MatadorsTexas Tech Red RaidersSchool teams originally known as Matadors
South2Ram NationVCU Rams
3Memphis StateMemphis TigersPre-1994 name of the University of Memphis
5Wake NationWake Forest Demon Deacons
7Blue ZooMiddle Tennessee Blue Raiders
8Monarch NationOld Dominion Monarchs
9Hilltop DawgsUMBC RetrieversName derived from location
10Purple & BlackKansas State WildcatsTeam colors
West2Team ColoradoColorado Buffaloes
3Gael ForceSaint Mary's Gaels
4Sons of WestwoodUCLA BruinsOne of UCLA's fight songs, from the campus location in Westwood
5Forks UpArizona State Sun DevilsPitchfork in mascot
6Few Good MenGonzaga BulldogsGonzaga head coach Mark Few
11Team UtahUtah Utes
14Air Force Bomb SquadAir Force Falcons

Additionally, team We Are D3, the 13th seed in the West region, consisted of alumni from NCAA Division III programs.

Schedule

Games televised on ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNU, with game replays available on ESPN3.

RoundDatesRegionLocationComment
Play-inJuly 13WestLos AngelesSeeds 15–18
SouthRichmond, Virginia
July 20NortheastBrooklyn
MidwestColumbus, Ohio
RegionalJune 29–30WestSpokane, WashingtonHoopfest Pod
July 14–15Los Angeles, California
SouthRichmond, Virginia
June 30–July 1NortheastMilwaukeeBig East Pod
July 21–22Brooklyn, New York
MidwestColumbus, Ohio
Super 16July 26–28 Atlanta
QuarterfinalsJuly 29 
SemifinalsAugust 2 Baltimore
FinalsAugust 3 

Bracket

All times Eastern. Source:[8]

Northeast Region – Brooklyn, NY

Play-in A
July 20
   
15Talladega Knights81
18Queens Struggle69
Play-in B
July 20
   
16Philadelphia Stars68
17South Jamaica Kings73
Round 1
July 21
Brooklyn
Round 2
July 22
Brooklyn
Super 16
July 28
Atlanta
Quarterfinals
July 29
Atlanta
            
1Boeheim's Army90
17South Jamaica Kings72
1Boeheim's Army60
8Team Fancy55
8Team Fancy85
9Saints Alive68
1Boeheim's Army73
4Armored Athlete69
5Gaelnation100
12Sideline Cancer88
5Gaelnation73
4Armored Athlete75
4Armored Athlete85
13DC on Point69
1Boeheim's Army86
3Golden Eagles90
6Jack Attack77
11Hall In88
11Hall In76
Big East Pod – Milwaukee, WI
3Golden Eagles96
3Golden Eagles78
14Johnnies67
3Golden Eagles73
15Talladega Knights66
7Team Arkansas85
10Tim Thomas Playaz62
7Team Arkansas74
15Talladega Knights91
2HBC Sicklerville60
15Talladega Knights80

Northeast Regional Final

July 29, 2018
1:00 p.m. EDT
#1 Boeheim's Army 86, #3 Golden Eagles 90
Scoring by quarter: 25–19, 12–29, 29–19, 20–23
Pts: Warrick – 24
Rebs: Triche – 8
Asts: Triche & Devendorf – 5
Pts: Acker – 22
Rebs: McNeal – 8
Asts: McNeal & Diener – 6
GSU Sports Arena
Atlanta, Georgia
Referees: Antonio Petty, John Heatly, Byron Evans

Midwest Regional – Columbus, OH

Play-in A
July 20
   
15Peoria All Stars85
18West Coast Ronin62
Play-in B
July 20
   
16West Virginia Wildcats114
17Charlotte Chess Center87
Round 1
July 21
Columbus
Round 2
July 22
Columbus
Super 16
July 27
Atlanta
Quarterfinals
July 29
Atlanta
            
1Scarlet & Gray99
16West Virginia Wildcats68
1Scarlet & Gray82
9Matadors73
8Bearcat Jam63
9Matadors80
1Scarlet & Gray72
12PrimeTime Players60
5Always a Brave64
12PrimeTime Players68
12PrimeTime Players70
4Big X67
4Big X81
13Chattanooga Trenches79
1Scarlet & Gray78
2Team Fredette100
6Fort Wayne Champs93
11The Region82
6Fort Wayne Champs84
14Illinois BC66
3Hilton Magic Legends63
14Illinois BC92
6Fort Wayne Champs91
2Team Fredette104
7Zoo Crew77
10Jackson TN Underdawgs86
10Jackson TN Underdawgs89
2Team Fredette99
2Team Fredette88
15Peoria All Stars80

Midwest Regional Final

July 29, 2018
#1 Scarlet & Gray 78, #2 Team Fredette 100
Scoring by quarter: 17–21, 23–30, 23–25, 15–24
Pts: Lighty – 16
Rebs: Sullinger – 8
Asts: Craft & Pigram – 3
Pts: Fredette – 28
Rebs: Cooley – 7
Asts: Fredette – 7
GSU Sports Arena
Atlanta, Georgia
Referees: Derick Stafford, Anthony Jordan, Tommie Morrissey

South Regional – Richmond, VA

Play-in A
July 13
   
16Rock City Scorchers64
17Team ABC277
Play-in B
July 13
   
15Tampa 20/2086
18Cancer +172
Round 1
July 14
Richmond
Round 2
July 15
Richmond
Super 16
July 26
Atlanta
Quarterfinals
July 29
Atlanta
            
1Overseas Elite78
17Team ABC262
1Overseas Elite71
8Monarch Nation61
8Monarch Nation72
9Hilltop Dawgs59
1Overseas Elite87
4Louisiana United86
5Wake the Nation55
12Showtime68
12Showtime61
4Louisiana United88
4Louisiana United86
13ATL All Stars69
1Overseas Elite72
2Ram Nation60
6Team DRC84
11NC Prodigal Sons66
6Team DRC84
3Memphis State80
3Memphis State72
14Brooklyn Vultures63
6Team DRC65
2Ram Nation78
7Atlanta Dirty South76
10Purple & Black74
7Atlanta Dirty South71
2Ram Nation76
2Ram Nation86
15Tampa 20/2072

South Regional Final

July 29, 2018
11:00 a.m. EDT
#1 Overseas Elite 72, #2 Ram Nation 60
Scoring by quarter: 18–13, 20–16, 18–22, 16–9
Pts: Burrell – 15
Rebs: Kennedy & Burrell – 8
Asts: McCollum – 5
Pts: Williams – 13
Rebs: Burgess & Williams – 5
Asts: Maynor – 5
GSU Sports Arena
Atlanta, Georgia
Referees: Orlandis Poole, Pat Evans, Archie Whaley

West Regional – Los Angeles, CA

Play-in A
July 13
   
15Kimchi Express104
18Dubois Dream96
Play-in B
July 13
   
16Utah Valor65
17Fort Hood Wounded Warriors98
Round 1
July 14
Los Angeles
Round 2
July 15
Los Angeles
Super 16
July 28
Atlanta
Quarterfinals
July 29
Atlanta
            
1Team Challenge ALS83
17Fort Hood Wounded Warriors75
1Team Challenge ALS72
9CitiTeam Blazers59
8Team 2371
9CitiTeam Blazers82
1Team Challenge ALS86
4Sons of Westwood80
5Forks Up75
12Albuquerque Hoops94
12Albuquerque Hoops62
4Sons of Westwood76
4Sons of Westwood90
13We Are D365
1Team Challenge ALS67
7Eberlein Drive78
6Few Good Men84
11Team Utah83
6Few Good Men48
Hoopfest Pod – Spokane, WA
3Gael Force95
3Gael Force82
14Air Force Bomb Squad54
3Gael Force59
7Eberlein Drive72
7Eberlein Drive86
10Broad Street Brawlers71
7Eberlein Drive83
2Team Colorado76
2Team Colorado105
15Kimchi Express73

West Regional Final

July 29, 2018
7:00 p.m. EDT
#1 Team Challenge ALS 67, #7 Eberlein Drive 78
Scoring by quarter: 12–17, 15–23, 23–24, 17–14
Pts: Ware – 22
Rebs: Hamilton – 7
Asts: Hamilton & Rowland – 2
Pts: Randle – 29
Rebs: Braun & Evans – 7
Asts: 3 players – 3
GSU Sports Arena
Atlanta, Georgia
Referees: Tony Greene, Chuck Jones, Sean Goode

Semifinals – Baltimore, MD

Semifinals
August 2
Baltimore
Final
August 3
Baltimore
      
NE3Golden Eagles60
S1Overseas Elite85
S1Overseas Elite70
W7Eberlein Drive58
MW2Team Fredette76
W7Eberlein Drive80

Semifinals

August 2, 2018
7:00 p.m. EDT
NE #3 Golden Eagles 60, S #1 Overseas Elite 85
Scoring by quarter: 13–28, 21–15, 22–21, 4–21
Pts: Cook – 19
Rebs: Wilson & Blackledge – 4
Asts: Acker – 4
Pts: Fogg – 38
Rebs: Kennedy – 12
Asts: Kennedy – 5
Talmadge L. Hill Field House
Baltimore, Maryland
Referees: Brian O'Connell, Jeff Clark, Jamie Luckie
August 2, 2018
9:00 p.m. EDT
MW #2 Team Fredette 76, W #7 Eberlein Drive 80
Scoring by quarter: 19–20, 13–21, 22–24, 22–15
Pts: Fredette – 24
Rebs: Davies – 10
Asts: Fredette – 5
Pts: Sloan – 20
Rebs: Evans – 7
Asts: Randle – 5

Championship

August 3, 2018
9:00 p.m. EDT
S #1 Overseas Elite 70, W #7 Eberlein Drive 58
Scoring by quarter: 17–12, 18–21, 17–17, 18–8
Pts: Burrell – 15
Rebs: Kennedy – 9
Asts: Kennedy – 4
Pts: Randle & Sloan – 14
Rebs: Evans – 12
Asts: Sloan – 5
Talmadge L. Hill Field House
Baltimore, Maryland
Referees: Clarence Armstrong, Mike Eades, Jeff Anderson

Awards

All Tournament Team
PosPlayerTeamPPG
FD. J. Kennedy (MVP)Overseas Elite14.3
GErrick McCollumOverseas Elite12.8
GJerome RandleEberlein Drive21.7
GJimmer FredetteTeam Fredette31.0
FJamil WilsonGolden Eagles18.0
GMMatt Mitchell &
Jacob Hirschmann
Eberlein Drive

Source:[9]

References

Further reading