The TBT is coming back to Columbus.
After a successful hosting stint last year, Columbus will once again play host to a TBT Tournament regional.
The TBT released it full bracket on Tuesday afternoon and as one of the tournament's No. 1 seeds, the Ohio State alumni team Carmen's Crew – previously named Scarlet & Gray – will again host a regional at Capital University in Bexley. The Columbus region will also include Big X, the other TBT team featuring multiple Buckeye alums.
"Having TBT in Columbus last year was unbelievable," Carmen's Crew head coach Scoonie Penn said in a release. "It was surreal to see the amount of support the tournament received while here. Columbus is a city that embraces Basketball – especially when Buckeyes are involved. Having the tournament back in Columbus in 2019, I'm sure, will be even better, something the community is eager to experience."
The Carmen's Crew roster is full of familiar faces including former Buckeyes Jon Diebler, Aaron Craft, Evan Ravenel, and David Lighty – all of whom have competed in the TBT in the past – and this year the team has new additions Lenzelle Smith Jr. and Deshaun Thomas.
William Buford and Jared Sullinger appeared in both previous tournaments for the team, but were not on the initial roster.
Big X, meanwhile, includes recent Buckeye players Jae'Sean Tate, C.J. Jackson and Keyshawn Woods, with Andrew Dakich as a coach.
The No. 2 seed in the Columbus Regional could serve as a fitting rival to Carmen's Crew: Kohl Blooded. The University of Wisconsin alumni team features former Badgers Nigel Hayes, Vitto Brown, Jordan Taylor, Ryan Evans, Trevon Hughes, and recent graduate Charles Thomas.
The Columbus Regional tips off on Friday, July 19. Big X takes on West Virginia Wildcats at 5 p.m. and Carmen’s Crew takes on Illinois BC at 7 p.m.
