The TBT is still on, and the 24-team field should include Boeheim’s Army

Boeheim’s Army is likely to hear its name called when the TBT unveils its smaller field.

Boeheim’s Army, with its loaded roster that continues to grow, will almost certainly get a shot this summer to capture the $2 million, winner-take-all The Basketball Tournament (“TBT”).

Event organizers said on Wednesday that the TBT will move forward, albeit in a different format, due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Rather than 64 squads, with eight crews in eight different regions, including one in the Syracuse area, the TBT will hold a 24-team field at one site over 10 days this summer.

TBT officials will reveal their two-dozen units in June. The tourney’s press release says that more than 114 groups have applied to compete in the TBT at this juncture.

While it’s not a guarantee that Boeheim’s Army, a squad of former Orange basketball stars, will get included in the single-elimination event, the TBT did mention several high-profile alumni teams in its announcement, such as defending champion Carmen’s Crew and Boeheim’s Army.

It would prove strange for TBT leaders to put Boeheim’s Army, which has made multiple deep runs in the event over the years, in their press statement and then leave the ‘Cuse group out of the field.

In announcing their health and safety plan for the 2020 tourney, TBT officials say that players and staff members will get tested for COVID-19 upon arriving at the location and be quarantined in the days leading up to games.

A positive test result, the TBT says, will lead to the removal of both the individual and his team from the event. The squads will get kept separate at all times and be regularly screened for COVID-19 symptoms.

After the quarantine period, all participants will get tested again, and a positive result on this second test will lead to the removal of the individual and his team from the tourney.

Teams that have tested negative will get cleared to suit up in the event, and, once cleared, TBT will continue to daily screen individuals for symptoms. Finally, all players will undergo an exit screening by local health officials.

Nothing is 100 percent certain as far as safety is concerned when people gather in a public place amid the pandemic, but TBT officials are without question taking appropriate measures.

No Syracuse regional is expected, but Boeheim’s Army can go far in the TBT.

Since the event is going from eight regional sites, including Onondaga Community College’s SRC Arena, and one championship location down to just a single site, all previous ticket purchasers will receive full refunds.

It’s of course a bummer that TBT contests won’t occur in the Syracuse area, but it’s exciting that the tournament will transpire. Assuming that Boeheim’s Army is included, it has a terrific shot to claim the grand prize.

Coached by Ryan Blackwell again, Boeheim’s Army presently features a stacked line-up of point guard John Gillon, combo guards Brandon Triche and Eric Devendorf, wing Malachi Richardson, forward Demetris Nichols, and power forward Tyler Lydon.

The TBT, citing its panel on Twitter, recently slotted Boeheim’s Army at No. 3 in its early 2020 power rankings, as well as No. 1 for its most-improved teams. Quite possibly, this summer may amount to the best chance yet for Boeheim’s Army to emerge victorious and collect the $2 million.