By: Josh Goldfine

Wednesday, July 21

(1) Sideline Cancer vs (12) Bucketneers, 7p EDT, ESPN3

Sideline Cancer has been on the other side of this before, playing the role of lovable underdog for many years before making the run to the title game last summer. Playing to raise money and awareness for pancreatic cancer, Sideline Cancer is the region’s top seed. Marcus Keene was back to his 2020 self in a second-round rout over the Fort Wayne Champs, scoring a game-high 24 points. Mo Creek, known in TBT circles for his penchant for hitting Elam Ending-shots, can shoot, and Eric Thompson is a force inside. The Bucketneers are the lowest-remaining seed in the region but certainly haven’t played like it thus far. Coach L.D. Williams is a TBT veteran himself and has his team playing the intense brand of basketball that yields strong results in this tournament format. Tray Boyd III and Justin Tuoyo have led the way thus far for the East Tennessee State alumni squad.

(2) Best Virginia vs (6) Team 23, 9p EDT, ESPN3

Best Virginia let WoCo Showtime back into its opening-round game during the Elam Ending and struggled with D2 for the first half in Round 2 before settling down in front of the hometown fans. Kevin Jones leads a balanced scoring attack, but this team will rely on its trademark defensive intensity. Team 23 moved to the Round of 16 with a wild win over Herd That, silencing the Marshall fans that packed the arena. Walt Lemon, Jr. is the team’s best offensive option.