The Basketball Tournament returns for it’s tenth year and Syracuse is set to host one of the eight regionals once again. New to the Tournament? We’ve got all your quick facts on The Basketball Tournament happening July 24 – 28, 2023 at the Oncenter War Memorial Arena.

 

How it Works

Similar to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, The Basketball Tournament is made up of 64 teams competing. Unlike the NCAA this tournament offers up more than a title, doling out one grand prize of $1 million to the winning team. The first three rounds of the tournament take place at eight regional locations and feature a total of eight teams each. The locations for 2023 are: Syracuse, Wichita (KS), Louisville (KY), Dayton (OH), Xavier (OH), Lubbock (TX) and West Virginia (Charleston). The Championship rounds will be played in Philadelphia (PA). Most of the teams consist of former college or international basketball players. The tournament holds an open application period before selecting which 64 teams will compete.

 

Boeheim’s Army

One of the original TBT teams from day one of the tournament, Boeheim’s Army primarily consists of Syracuse University basketball alumni. Not only that but they will play host to the Syracuse regional and most recently claimed the title back in 2021. This year’s roster includes Orange favorites like Chris McCullough, Rakeem Christmas, Malachi Richardson, Paschal Chukwu, Jimmy Boeheim, Tyus Battle, BJ Johnson and Andrew White III, playing alongside non-SU talents Deandre Kane, Jamil Wilson, Matt Morgan, Grant Riller and Dwight Buycks Jr.. Ryan Blackwell returns to the team, this time manning the helm as head coach while Shaun Belbey enters the general manager role. 

 

Elam Ending

Any TBT viewer should know about the Tournament’s signature end-game rules, known as the Elam Ending. Created to keep a high-level of play throughout the final minutes, TBT fully instituted the natural end of game finish in 2018. The rules are that after the first dead ball under four minutes of play, the two teams must try to reach a target score and whoever gets there first wins the game. The target score is determined by adding eight points to the leading team’s score at the time of the dead ball.

 

Regional Teams in Syracuse

Local fans will want to catch more than just Boeheim’s Army in action over the weekend. The Syracuse Regional also includes the 2022 Championship team Blue Collar U, the Buffalo alumni team.

 

Games to Watch            

With four of the six teams in the Syracuse bracket being new to the Tournament upsets could be plenty. Both the 2022 and 2021 Championship teams, Boeheim's Army and Blue Collar U, will be vying hard for another Championship win but newbies, Team Gibson, The Rhody Way, Happy Valley Hoopers or The Commonwealth could serve up a surprise. Don't count out returning teams, the Big 5 and The Nerd Team either! If Boeheim's Army and Blue Collar U do face each other it wouldn't be until Game 7 of the regional. 

 

Summer Fun in Syracuse