We are down to the final four remaining in The Basketball Tournament. One of these remaining squads will cash out with $1 million and a championship, while the remaining three will go home empty-handed. The on-court action has been fierce and entertaining, the betting-line action has been almost as hot. TBT shifts into primetime on Sunday night and with the lights a little brighter, the strongest teams and players will rise to the top. If you have been riding with us for your daily TBT odds and picks then you have been cashing in. So why stop now?
TBT Daily Fantasy for July 12
MyBookie TBT Odds
#4 Golden Eagles (Marquette) vs #8 Red Scare (Dayton)
In a battle of the alumni teams, the Golden Eagles come in as the technical favorite coming off of an 83-76 quarterfinals victory over Brotherly Love. The Marquette Alumni have comfortably won their first two games behind strong performances from their trio of guards. Darius Johnson-Odom has paced them with 19.5 points per game while Derrick Wilson and Dwight Buycks have averaged 15.5 and 14.5 ppg respectively, while also being among the top rebounders. Golden Eagles are a balanced team that can score and rebound effectively.
Similarly, Red Scare brings a balanced team into this contest and defeated the upstart House of ‘Paign 83-76. With four players averaging double-digit points and four players averaging five-plus rebounds per game, Red Scare is difficult to contain. The youth movement is real for Red Scare as Ryan Mikesell, Ryan McMahon, and Trey Landers all were college starters in the 2019-20 season. The three-point shooting of Mikesell and McMahon, a combined 47% on 30 attempts, has provided a huge scoring boost. Factor in the size and length Devin Oliver and Trevor Thompson, and you have a scarily balanced team.
Golden Eagles have been riding hot shooting, 47% on 45 attempts as a team, to this semifinals berth. This game has the hallmarks of being a high-scoring affair, deadeye shooting from the outside, and good ball-movement on both sides. Watch as the over/under moves and so long as it stays under 159.5 feel comfortable riding with the over. With how even these teams are, this is the most difficult daily TBT odds and picks to make. As for the overall win, this one feels like a true coin-flip. If the line moves to more than one team -3.5, go with the underdog.
Picks: Red Scare (+3.5) and the Over 155.5
#2 Overseas Elite vs #22 Sideline Cancer
Overseas Elite dismantled America’s Team Herd That 93-76. Joe Johnson used a methodical approach, 35 points, 7 boards, and 5 assists, to throttle the scrappy Marshall Alumni. Forward Raphiael Putney, 10 points and 4 rebounds, and guard Frank Session, 19 points, 5 boards, and 4 assists, also had strong games in the quarterfinals. Do not forget about Pooh Jeter either, he scored 22 points in Overseas first game, but was largely quiet in the quarterfinals. Overseas Elite is a complete team that can beat you inside or with their deadly three-point shooting, 52% on 60 shots.
There was something that Overseas Elite and Sideline Cancer had in common on Saturday, they both dismantled their opponents. Sideline Cancer throttled Boeheim’s Army 65-48. However, Sideline Cancer was not as exciting or dominant as Overseas Elite. Marcus Keene overcame a slow start to finish with 13 points and 8 boards, while Eric Thompson absolutely cleaned up on the glass with 18 rebounds, and Maurice Creek paced Sideline Cancer with 22 points and 8 rebounds. Overall, Sideline Cancer out hustled and outmuscled Boeheim’s Army on Saturday, but doing that to Overseas Elite will be much tougher.
On paper, Overseas Elite is the early favorite and will remain that way until tip-off. Sideline Cancer has made a great run with their determined play. They may be able to hang with Overseas for a bit, but they will struggle to keep up with Iso Joe and company. This game is also a strong candidate to take the over on. So long as the over/under stays below 156.5. This feels like Overseas Elite’s game to lose if they continue their hot shooting they will make short work of the underdog. If the line goes north of Overseas Elite -8.5 then jump all over Sideline Cancer. Anything less than that though ride with the four-time champions in one of the easier daily TBT odds and picks this far.
Picks: Overseas Elite (-7.5) and the Under (158.5)
Updated Overall Championship Odds
Overseas Elite -150
The case has been made for them to be the five-time champions. Iso Joe looked dominant Saturday and if that continues then it will be their tournament to lose. Even if he falls off from his blistering performance on Saturday, Jeter, Sessions, and company can keep this team heading towards a $1 million payday.
Golden Eagles +300
The Marquette Alumni have the shooting and depth to be deadly in their remaining two games. Getting past Red Scare will be no easy feat, but if they do then look for them to give whoever they face, probably Overseas, a tough game. If their shots are falling and the defense can hold they have a puncher’s chance to win it all.
Red Scare +450
Unlike many teams that are lead by seasoned veterans, the Dayton Alumni are led by their young guns. With players just off of their senior year in college, they may have the energy and enough high-level experience to hang with anyone. They also might just not have enough seasoning to keep them in a game with cagey veterans like Overseas Elite. If the moment is not too big for Mikesell and Landers then they might just win that $1 million payday.
Sideline Cancer +650
Midnight appears to be fast approaching for this Cinderella story. Everyone wants the feel-good charity-driven team to cash in and deliver on their dream of fighting cancer. Standing in their way is the Goliath of Overseas Elite. If Keene, Creek, and Remy Abell can hit their shots in bunches they might be able to hang with Overseas. If they beat Overseas Elite, every team to come after that will seem easier, but this also might run into a letdown. It is a steep mountain in front of them, but they have not been intimidated yet so they just might have a chance.
