Mountaineers in the Pros
TBT to Look Different This Year, Best Virginia Still to Participate
Life as we know it has looked a lot different the last couple of months and this is no different for the 2020 The Basketball Tournament.
West Virginia fans will get their first taste back of sports with Best Virginia, made up of Mountaineer alums, participating for the second time in the tournament.
On Wednesday morning TBT officials announced on Twitter that the competition will contain 24 teams, last for 10 days all at one quarantined location. Typically the tournament would consist of 64 teams, last for three weeks and games would take place across the country.
🚨Introducing the new TBT 2020🚨
24 Teams
10 Days
1 Quarantined LocationThe most intense week and a half in tournament history‼️ pic.twitter.com/Kdr4gihVWx
— TBT (@thetournament) May 27, 2020
Officials also announced its approach for the health and safety of the players and tournament staff.
“Our highest priority will always be the health and safety of everyone involved with TBT,” official said.
All participants will be tested for COVID-19 upon arriving, teams will be quarantined at all times and screen regularly for symptoms. All participants will be tested again after the quarantine period.
“A positive test result will lead to the removal of both the individual and their team from the event,” according to the announcement.
Possible broadcasts or streaming options, the designated location, dates as well as the 24 teams participating have not been announced at this time. However, Best Virginia has confirmed on Twitter they are still participating.
We are sad to see this leave Charleston this year as our fans really rallied around the venue, but player and fan safety is MOST IMPORTANT.
But we can’t WAIT to play.
And we’ve heard they’re most likely coming back next year…. 🤭 https://t.co/OQN8s7dPCB
— The Final Fourcast • BEST VIRGINIA (@finalfourcast) May 27, 2020
Throughout the months leading to the tournament, the Best Virginia alumni team has announced Nathan Adrian, Da’Sean Butler, John Flowers, Kevin Jones, Daxter Miles Jr., Tarik Phillip, Juwan Staten, Devin Williams and Jonathan Holton are on the current roster.
Due to the support from Mountaineer nation at last years tournament, a regional was slated to be held this year in Charleston. While disappointed this appears it will not longer be the case, Best Virginia is fighting for Charleston to be this year’s single location.
We still hope @thetournament comes to Charleston this year to host their quarantournament. It's a great city with tons of outdoor activities for isolated off-campus stuff, great local restaurants for food delivery, and we're close to a huge percent of population.
— The Final Fourcast • BEST VIRGINIA (@finalfourcast) May 27, 2020
The Best Virginia squad continues to get pre-tournament attention, being named to the top 10 early TBT 2020 power rankings. The Mountaineer alums were ranked 5th, behind Red Scare, Boeheim’s Army, Ballinteers and Carmen’s Crew.