TBT or AAU? There is No Difference

LEXINGTON- If a genie popped out of a bottle and gave me three wishes I might wish to like The Basketball Tournament. I want to like it, I really do, but the players make it impossible.

Every summer teams of alumni from around the country assemble teams to compete in “The Basketball Tournament” with $2 million going to the winning team to divide amongst the players. The idea sounds incredible on paper. Bringing beloved players back for another run in their Alma mater’s colors at historic gyms around the country. Winner-take-all ball with a significant payday on the line.

Instead, I find myself asking the same question.

If the players don’t care, why should I?

The La Familia team has had more turnover than a busy resort destination on a Saturday. Players are in, then they are out, then they are back in, then they are questionable, then they are out again.

How is anyone supposed to get excited over that? It is a “well, we will see who shows up on gameday and roll the ball out” type of event. Much like the AAU Circuits where teams may have a completely different roster from one tournament to the next. The issue with this however is that there is a different roster for every game and not all of the players are even alumni of the school in which they are representing.

That is a problem.

College fans (especially the Big Blue Nation) are wired differently than fans of pro basketball around the world. Connections and memories are built with players. We remember the buzzer beaters, the deep tournament runs, and the intense rivalries. That’s what makes alumni basketball compelling in the first place.

But as fans, it is hard to care when the commitment level feels optional or like a “day of” decision. Either you’re in or you’re out, stop the drama.

The TBT has begun to feel less like a serious competition of summer basketball and more like a low-level AAU squad where availability is determined a few hours before the game via group text. Can you imagine if that is the way Kentucky basketball worked? The Big Blue Nation wouldn’t accept it. Not in the slightest. So why is it different when these players are still representing the blue and white?

In my opinion, it shouldn’t be.

Sure these guys have careers. Some play overseas, some have families, some are protecting their health. I get it. Those are all legitimate things.

However, the issue isn’t that the players have lives. It is that the tournament itself markets star power and fails to deliver it.

Fans deserve to know who is actually committed instead of getting caught in a revolving door of ever changing availability reports.

Will I watch? Yes, I am a sicko and will watch anything remotely involving the Kentucky Wildcats. Also  because there is nothing else on in the middle of July. However, I will tell you that I have seen rec league games more organized.

The concept is fantastic.

The execution leaves a lot to be desired.

With that being said, Go Cats.