The Basketball Tournament 2019 Odds & Preview

• TBT Championship Week kicks off Aug 1 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago 
• The winning team will win a cool $2 million
• Who is the best bet of the Final 8 teams?

From 64, they’re down to eight and on to Chicago, for a chance at a cool $2 million in the sixth season of what’s simply known as The Basketball Tournament.

It’s a lot of pros in this TBT tournament. Im so hype for this action this weekend!

— DeMarcus Cousins (@boogiecousins) July 31, 2019

This has been a run dominated by one team: Overseas Elite, seeking a fifth consecutive championship.

But books are sensing a possible shift, dropping the four-time defending champs further down the board.

The Basketball Tournament 2019 Championship Odds

*Odds taken 31/07/19

Not very many teams can overcome not having a two-time MVP in their lineup, as Overseas Elite has had to do without Kyle Fogg. Fortunately, the still have another player with the same credentials –  so are DJ Kennedy and the crew being overlooked?

Soar with the Eagles Alumni?

One of the neat elements of this tournament is how many college players team up and continue to play ball, post NCAA. Such is the deal with the current favorites, as nine of the Golden Eagles’ 15 players once suited up for Marquette.

A notable name from the roster is point guard Travis Diener – but he hasn’t even been activated for the tournament thus far. Instead, the team is being paced by another guy you may have heard of: Dwight Buycks, who had a cup of coffee with the Lakers. In TBT? The dude has been filling it up.

Dwight Buycks was COOKIN' for @GoldenEaglesTBT in their second round win over Team Colorado! 👨‍🍳🍽️#TBT2019 pic.twitter.com/5mDedNydVQ

— TBT (@thetournament) July 27, 2019

His best performance thus far was last game, a 34-point, 5-rebound 3-assist gem to help the Golden Eagles defeat Sideline Cancer. He’s averaging 29 points a contest overall. Perhaps the other reason books have identified Marquette as the favorite is the fact they have, in theory, the easiest game to open in Chicago, taking on major upset squad Jackson TN, a lowly 8-seed in their region.

Keep Your Eyes on the Crew

The Ohio State alumni team features memorable names like Aaron Craft (the team captain), guard Scoonie Penn and wing David Lighty, but the true force is guard William Buford.

William Buford was LETHAL from behind the arc against Big X!

24 points, 5 rebounds and a perfect 6-6 from downtown! @CarmensCrew @OhioStateHoops #TBT2019 pic.twitter.com/K4qMA89XDB

— TBT (@thetournament) July 20, 2019

Earning his post-Buckeye hoops cred in the D League and overseas, he’s averaging 21 points a game in TBT, including 23 in the Super 16 over Red Scare, following up his 24 from the previous round against BIG X. Lighty has been aiding in the effort with 16 points and five assists a contest.

JEROME RANDLE FOR THE WIN!!! @EberleinDrive #TBT2019 pic.twitter.com/DP4ZbvmUP3

— TBT (@thetournament) July 25, 2019

But they’ll be in tough to start in Chicago, facing off against fellow top seed Eberlein Drive, last year’s runner-up to OE. That squad is led by Jerome Randle, a 2018 All-TBT member that’s kept it moving in 2019, pouring in 21 a game while adding a pair of game-winners in Rounds 1 and 2 for extra effect. He’s helped by Donald Sloan, who’s scoring 16 points a game in the tourney.

Don’t Forget About DJ

The defending champions feature the most decorated star of the tournament, as no one has put together a better run of dominance than DJ Kennedy. Once a Cleveland Cavalier for a stint in the 2011-2012 seasons, the ex-Red Storm alum is leading the defending champions, averaging 18 points, 10.5 rebounds and four assists per game.

DJ Kennedy reminding everyone why he's an all-time TBT'er. He's got 13 early points for @overseaselite and the Champs are cruising. #TBT2019 pic.twitter.com/99LnEvfHz7

— TBT (@thetournament) July 26, 2019

The two-time MVP may not have Fogg, but he does have some help with Jeremy Pargo.

Jeremy Pargo ends it with a 3, and Overseas Elite tops Team DRC 78-70 to improve to 28-0 all-time in TBT play. Overseas Elite will play Loyalty is Love on Friday in TBT’s quarterfinals in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/OXfqF2EGDI

— Wayne Epps Jr. (@wayneeppsjr) July 28, 2019

With NBA stops in Memphis, Cleveland and Philly, he’s probably best known for his career at Gonzaga, and being the younger bro of Jannero. At TBT, he’s averaging 16.5 points, 6.5 assists and five rebounds a contest.

Who Else to Look Out For

If you’re seeking upsets, then meet Jackson TN Underdawgs stud Jaylen Barford. The Arkansas alum is averaging 25.7 points a contest, trailing only Buycks in scoring of the players still standing. His last two games included a 29-point outburst to oust Louisiana United – which followed a 35-point outbreak in the second round over Southern Gentlemen.

Jaylen Barford (@JBARFORD1) was a WALKING BUCKET tonight against Southern Gentlemen!

He poured in 35 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists to lead @UnderdawgsTBT to a big second-round win that moves them into the Memphis Regional championship! #TBT2019 pic.twitter.com/2NeYqfssOb

— TBT (@thetournament) July 21, 2019

Team Hines has their own star in Mike James, who had a couple of mini-stints with Phoenix and New Orleans in the 2017-18 NBA season. The Lamar product is filling it up to the tune of 21.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game.

MIKE JAMES FADEAWAY GAME WINNER!!

@TeamHinesTBT punches a ticket to Chicago!#TBT2019 pic.twitter.com/hX1b1uTenl

— TBT (@thetournament) July 21, 2019

My betting advice? Until someone slays the dragon, it’s the team with the unquestioned star and the title-winning pedigree.

The Pick: Overseas Elite (+400)