By: Josh Goldfine

Wichita: 2 AfterShocks vs. 5 Florida TNT, 12p EDT, ESPN

It’s an alumni team whose raucous crowd helped to push them to Dayton against some of the best players the Sunshine State has to offer.

The AfterShocks are a Wichita State alumni squad which advanced to their first-ever Round of 8 following two of the more memorable endings in TBT history. In Round 2, a Markis McDuffie steal helped to push the AfterShocks past the Omaha Blue Crew. Then, in Round 3, Conner Frankamp’s three-pointer hit the Target Score to send the AfterShocks to Dayton courtesy of a thrilling victory over Team Challenge ALS. Frankamp is one of the best shooters in the field and is averaging 16 points per game. Rashard Kelly (12.0 ppg) and McDuffie (10.3 ppg) both average in double figures. The versatile Kelly leads the team with seven rebounds per game, and Zach Brown can do a little bit of everything.

Florida TNT has reached the Round of 8 in its second TBT appearance and can create havoc for opponents. Kenny Boynton has averaged 17.7 points per game, and Chris Warren, making his fifth TBT appearance, is averaging 16.3 ppg while playing a team-high 34 minutes per game. NBA champion Dominique Jones is also a TBT veteran who has hit big shots in the tournament and knows how to win in this format.

Illinois: 1 Golden Eagles vs. 3 Boeheim’s Army, 2p EDT, ESPN

This shapes up as one of the best matchups in TBT history, with two veteran alumni squads that know how to play in these pressure situations.

After finally claiming TBT’s prize last year after several years of knocking on the doorstep, the Golden Eagles look even hungrier this summer and have defeated their first three opponents by an average of 16 points per game. This Marquette University alumni team is loaded. The fifth-leading scorer in TBT history, Jamil Wilson (6 Elam Enders in his TBT career) does it all on both the offensive and defensive ends. Elgin Cook can’t miss this summer, having connected on 23 of his 27 field goal attempts through the first three rounds. Then there is Dwight Buycks (14.7 ppg), who can score in bunches. Ageless sharpshooter Travis Diener, whose three-pointer won the title last summer, is always dangerous with the ball in his hands.

Boeheim’s Army is a Syracuse University alumni team that advanced to the Round of 8 for the fifth straight year but still seeks its first TBT title. After a slow start in a Round 1 win over Forces of Seoul, Boeheim’s Army has gotten more comfortable as the tournament has continued. Big man Chris McCullough, whose 19-point performance in the Round 3 win over Always A Brave pushed Boeheim’s Army to the Round of 8, leads a balanced scoring attack at 13.3 points per game. Players from outside the Syracuse family have played a large role as well, with Tyrese Rice (11.3 ppg) and former TBT champions D.J. Kennedy (team high 8.0 rebounds per game) and DeAndre Kane playing critical roles.

Charleston: 1 Sideline Cancer vs. 6 Team 23, 7p EDT, ESPN2

Two teams that have appeared in the title game before but have never claimed the prize will meet with a semi-final berth on the line.

Sideline Cancer, the only team to play in each TBT since the tournament’s founding in 2014, fell to the Golden Eagles in the championship game last summer and returned for revenge in 2021. Sparkplug guard Marcus Keene leads the way once again at a team-high 18 points per game for Sideline Cancer, which is playing once again to raise funds and awareness for those battling pancreatic cancer. Keene’s deep three-pointer in the Round 3 win over the Bucketneers sent Sideline Cancer on to the Round of 8 for the second straight summer. Keene’s 6.7 assists per game rank second among remaining players. But, it’s not just the Marcus Keene show that makes Sideline Cancer such a tough out. Jamel Artis (12.7 ppg) and Trey Lewis (12.0 ppg) can contribute offensively, and Mo Creek has already made a name for himself with Elam Enders over the past two summers.

Team 23 reached the TBT title game back in 2015, falling to Overseas Elite. This year, the scrappy group made its way to Dayton by utilizing its many weapons. Raphiael Putney leads the way in scoring (13.7 points per game) and (rebounding 5.3 rpg). Marcus Hall, who took Team Colorado to the 2016 title game and torched Best Virginia in the Round of 16, is averaging 10.7 ppg and can go off at any time. Walt Lemon, Jr. leads the team in assists and is a scoring threat as well.

Columbus: 5 The Money Team vs. 6 Blue Collar U, 9p EDT, ESPN2

Not many predicted that either of these teams would emerge from Columbus. But, here they both are, one win away from the semi-finals.

Backed by boxer Floyd Mayweather, The Money Team trailed Carmen’s Crew by 18 points in the Round of 16 in front of the home fans in Columbus before clawing its way back in TBT’s second-biggest comeback of the summer. TBT veteran point guard Jordon Crawford leads the tournament with 7.7 assists per game. Jeff Ledbetter, the three-point specialist, hit eight treys in a Round 2 win over Team Hines. Xavier Munford was the leading scorer in the upset win over Carmen’s Crew and can score in bunches.

Blue Collar U is a first-year University of Buffalo alumni squad that has made quite the impression. Wes Clark (15.0 ppg) already has two Elam Enders this summer, and C.J. Massinburg (13.3 ppg) also has the scoring touch. Nick Perkins can score (10.7 ppg), rebound (6.0 rpg) and defend.