Eric Boggs
The man behind the revival of Carmen’s Crew, Jared Sullinger, secured the 2024 TBT Championship for Ohio State’s alumni squad with a perfect turnaround jumper on Sunday. Carmen’s Crew triumphed over Houston’s alumni team, Forever Coogs, with a final score of 69-65 in The Basketball Tournament’s championship game.
Sullinger, the MVP of this year’s TBT, led Carmen’s Crew with 18 points. Kaleb Wesson contributed 15 points, Andre Wesson added 13, and Desonta Bradford chipped in 11. The team’s $1 million prize was divided equally among its players and staff, with each member receiving $62,500. This victory marks Carmen’s Crew’s second TBT Championship, their first being in 2019, making them the second team to win multiple titles in the tournament’s history.
The game remained tight in the first half, with Forever Coogs edging a 21-18 lead by the end of the first quarter. Carmen’s Crew responded with a 7-0 run early in the second quarter, taking a 30-28 lead. They held a narrow 36-34 advantage at halftime.
In the third quarter, the Buckeye alumni began to pull away. Andre Wesson’s five consecutive points, followed by Kaleb Wesson’s layup and free throw, extended their lead to 48-38. Although Forever Coogs fought back with a 7-0 run, Bradford’s deep 3-pointer helped Carmen’s Crew maintain a 55-49 edge entering the final quarter.
The fourth quarter saw Carmen’s Crew extend their lead to 10 points with contributions from Tevin Glass and Sullinger. However, the Houston alumni team closed the gap to 60-56 as the Elam Ending approached, setting a target score of 68.
Free throws from Sullinger and the Wesson brothers brought Carmen’s Crew closer to victory. Despite Forever Coogs’ attempts to rally, Andre Wesson’s crucial layup and free throw put Carmen’s Crew just one point away from the championship.
Forever Coogs refused to back down, scoring five straight points. However, Sullinger’s game-winning jumper sealed the victory for Carmen’s Crew. Sullinger finished the game with 18 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including 2-of-2 from three, and a team-high eight rebounds.
Carmen’s Crew’s defensive prowess played a significant role in their victory, holding Forever Coogs to just 40 percent shooting and 14 percent from three-point range. Throughout the tournament, Carmen’s Crew consistently held opponents to 70 points or less in five of their six games.
Despite a challenging start, with Forever Coogs leading 14-9, Carmen’s Crew quickly turned things around. Sullinger’s early three-pointers in the second quarter helped them gain momentum, and their defensive efforts limited Forever Coogs to just six points in the final minutes of the half.
Out of the halftime break, Carmen’s Crew’s defense remained strong, allowing only four points in a nearly five-minute stretch and expanding their lead to 10 points. Although Forever Coogs found some rhythm and cut the lead to three, Bradford’s 3-pointer from the logo kept Carmen’s Crew ahead.
In the fourth quarter, the game became a defensive grind, with both teams combining for just 12 points before the Elam Ending. With a target score of 68, Carmen’s Crew’s defensive and offensive efforts, particularly from the Wesson brothers, brought them to the brink of victory.
As Carmen’s Crew missed three straight shots, their comfortable lead dwindled to just two points. Sullinger, unfazed by a late double-team, nailed the mid-range jumper to end Forever Coogs’ rally and secure the championship.
Sullinger was the sole Carmen’s Crew player named to the 2024 All-Tournament team. As a team, Carmen’s Crew became only the second team in TBT history to win the competition twice, solidifying their legacy in the tournament.
