Inside TBT

Learn more about two teams in TBT 2016's South Region! Kyle Callanan (OPI) and Terell Smith (Primetime Players) join TBT to talk about their squads and their expectations entering the tournament.

Ray Chang (Talladega Knights) and Mark Moore (Canton Bulldogs) join TBT to talk about their teams, their experiences in basketball, and what to expect from their squads in TBT 2016.

A DMV native, Michael Sweetney was living the life of his dreams. He starred on the court for his dream college, Georgetown, and parlayed his collegiate success into the NBA Lottery, where the New York Knicks made the 6’9” PF/C the 9th pick of the 2003 NBA Draft. But, the death of his father sent Sweetney into what he now recognizes was a deep depression. Years of struggles, including a period in which he slept in his car, have given way to a new understanding of himself and a new approach to life. A father of three, Sweetney credits his coach, Joe Connelly, with saving his life, and a fateful trip to Uruguay with helping him come to terms with the loss of his father. An easy guy to root for, Sweetney is looking forward to suiting up again with City of Gods this summer and making another run at TBT glory.

A native of Philadelphia who grew up a Villanova fan, Ronald Moore has gone from under-recruited high school point guard to NCAA tournament hero to established overseas professional in 10 years. A two-time participant in TBT, Moore, along with former Siena College teammates Kenny Hasbrouck, Ryan Rossiter, and OD Anosike, is now looking to add TBT Champion to his ever-growing resume. With a squad that will feature former Sixer and NBA veteran John Salmons (Moore’s cousin), former St. Joe’s stars CJ Aiken and Garrett Williamson, as well as Temple standout Ryan Brooks, Moore and the Liberty Ballers look like a good bet to improve upon last year’s run to the round of 16, even in a loaded Northeast Region. With the support of the Liberty Ballers 76ers-focused blog and a legion of friends and family from the Philadelphia-area, Moore’s Liberty Ballers are sure to draw attention both online and on-site when TBT opens up play at Philadelphia University on July 9th and 10th.

Controversial, but endlessly fascinating, Marshall Henderson is a player who definitely feeds off the energy of a riled up crowd. On this episode, we talk to Henderson about what his life is like a couple years removed from Ole Miss, some of the controversies that have embroiled him, the infamous Michael Sam tweet, and what he’s doing to make himself the best player, and person, he can be.

John Oates, a Boston College graduate, joins TBT to discuss Skinner's Frate Train, a team of BC alums playing in support of their classmate, Pete Frates, and former coach, Al Skinner. Frates, a BC baseball player and a college roommate of SF Sean Marshall, was diagnosed with ALS in 2012 and has been working ever since to raise awareness and money for finding a cure for this terrible disease. Having inspired the Ice Bucket Challenge, Frates is also a primary inspiration for this reunion of some of the best basketball players Boston College has ever produced. Oates, now the Senior Director of Social Media for the Dr. Oz Show in New York, talks candidly here about his time at BC, getting back together with his college teammates, and the best Hall & Oates related heckling he ever got.

From Fan to Booster to TBT insider. Josh Brown showed up 3 hours before the 2014 Championship Game in Boston to cheer on Team Barstool. Getting into arena early, grabbing a front row seat, and screaming his voice hoarse, Brown was hooked. As a Booster for the Jabroni Project in 2015, Brown experienced first-hand what it's like to try to qualify and compete in TBT. In 2016, he's gotten an even closer look behind the scenes of TBT, working with the crew on digital content and a whole slew of other things. Brown joins TBT now to share his unique perspective on this unique event.

TBT adviser and former head of Anheuser-Busch Global Marketing Tony Ponturo joins TBT to discuss his experiences working in the sports industry, his take on where the sports sponsorship industry is now and where it's going, and how great it feels as a Villanova grad to watch his team win a national championship.

Vin Martelli, a TBT founder/adviser, joins us to talk about the origins of TBT, how his own athletic career impacts his views on sports, and where he sees TBT going in the future.

TBT's Andy Dolich joins us to discuss what attracted him to the project after four decades of working in the sports industry. A veteran front-office man for every big league sport you can imagine, Dolich brings a lifetime's experience and a fresh perspective to TBT behind the scenes.