COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Ohio State basketball alumni team, ‘Carmen’s Crew,’ will start its championship defense in its backyard as it will host a region of “The Basketball Tournament” this summer.
This summer, the team will once again be led by Evan Turner and Jared Sullinger. The two coached Carmen’s Crew to the $2 million prize last summer with a 66-60 win over the Marquette alumni team “Golden Eagles” in Chicago. Along the way, the former Buckeyes knocked off reigning four-time champion Overseas Elite in the semifinal.
“There’s no better place to have the tournament,” Turner said in a statement. “I think that it’s going to be so special and fun to play at a place where we all became men. I think our guys are going to show up and show out and make the Buckeye faithful proud. This is definitely something I’m excited for and can’t wait to be part of and I know everybody in the city feels the same way!”
Among the players expected to return this summer are Jon Diebler and TBT’s 2019 All-Tournament Team selection Aaron Craft.
“Our program prides itself on welcoming back our former players and having Carmen’s Crew back on campus for the Columbus Regional of The Basketball Tournament,” Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann said in a statement. “Buckeye Nation will once again be able to cheer on legendary Buckeyes in our newest modern facility, the Covelli Center. TBT will be yet another opportunity for Carmen’s Crew to continue its success playing in Columbus in front of our tremendous fans.”
The Columbus site will run July 23-26 at the Covelli Center. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased here. The winner of the Columbus regional will advance to Championship Week held at the University of Dayton Arena Aug. 6-11.
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