Inside TBT

TBT Superfans Brian Kunis and Vince PeGan, roommates in New York City and early adopters, signed up as fans in March of 2014. Kunis and PeGan join TBT to discuss why they're interested in TBT, why they buy all the gear, and what it's like to root on your team knowing that you've got money on the line, too.

TBT's Jesse Leeds joins us to share some of the rumors and inside information he's hearing about teams that could be making a run at TBT 2016's $2,000,000 winner takes all grand prize.

Mike Illiano, GM of Team 23, the runner up in TBT 2015, joins us to discuss what he felt like after losing the Championship Game last year, and what he's doing to get his team ready for another run at TBT glory in 2016. Down, but never out, Team 23 looks poised to return with a squad primed to make another deep run in TBT.

Jason Curry, CEO of Big Apple Basketball, an NYC-based non-profit, joins TBT to talk about his experience entering a team in two TBT's. A semifinalist in 2014, BAB returned in 2015 and played two thrilling games before bowing out to the Northeast's Cinderella, Sideline Cancer. A former point guard at St. Michael's, Curry and Big Apple Basketball are fixtures on the New York City summer basketball circuit and Jason shares a lot of insight into the state of the game in the big city.

TBT made some big announcements this week, so, we're checking in with the Founder and CEO, Jon Mugar. With a $2,000,000 winner-takes-all grand prize and an unprecedented $200,000 (10%) of that prize going to the top fans of the winning team, there's a lot to discuss!

After nearly winning TBT's inaugural Championship in 2014 with Team Barstool, Matt Walsh returned for another run in 2015 with a SLAM Magazine team. Unfortunately for the former Florida Gator and Philly native, there would be no repeat of 2014's success, as the team fell to One Chicago in its first game. The loss stings Walsh, but does not deter him. Although he led the Turkish SuperLig in scoring in '14/'15 and made the All-Star team, Walsh retired from the international game and is now settling into life in commercial real estate. Still competitive and keeping himself in top shape, Walsh will be back in TBT 2016. Expect him to continue the alliance he's formed with Donnie McGrath and for another run at a TBT Championship.

Jake Hirschmann, one of the founders of Eberlein Drive, joins TBT to talk about how he and his buddies turned a dream born on a cul-de-sac outside Detroit into a reality. Taking the experience of 2014 into 2015, Hirschmann, Craigen, and Joey Oster joined forces with Matt Mitchell to create a competitive team, filled with top-notch professional talent, playing in the best leagues around the world. If they can match the leap from '14 to '15 this year, look for Eberlein Drive to be a team to beat in TBT 2016.

In 2015, Jake Pavorsky used his experience and access with Liberty Ballers (the blog) to create and grow Liberty Ballers (the team). With a seriously loaded lineup, the Liberty Ballers did Philly proud, reaching the round of 16, before ultimately falling to Boeheim's Army. Pavorsky vows to be back and better in TBT 2016. With last year's positive experience to build on, he might well be the first GM to bring a professional championship to Philadelphia since Pat Williams.

Bracket Busters GM Liam Jones originally planned to join TBT 2014 with a Florida Gulf Coast-based team, but being only 17 at the time, he had to wait. A year later, he was legal and ended up GM-ing a fascinating squad that saw former Atlantic Sun rivals from FGCU and Mercer link up to form a team that was a pre-tournament favorite to advance out of the Regionals. Alas, it wasn't meant to be as the 4th seeded Bracket Busters fell in their first game. Undeterred, Jones and the Bracket Busters will be back in 2016, better than ever, and ready to wear the mantle of favorites again, even if they made their names on teams known for bracket disruption.

Ever wondered about the people behind TBT? How TBT works? How THEY found out about TBT? Now's your chance to meet four of the folks who make TBT happen: Jen Todd, Jennette Barry, Jesse Leeds, and Matt Pandolfi.