COLUMBUS, Ohio (BVM) — No. 5 seed, The Money Team (TMT), stunned the ‘home’ crowd and team, upsetting No. 1 Carmen’s Crew 91-89 at the Covelli Center. 

Carmen’s Crew was dominant for most of the game except when it mattered the most. TMT would crawl back to tie it up at 89 after being down by 19 at one point. From there, TMT’s Xavier Munford would call game by hitting a mid-range jumper to end the game in the Elam Ending. 

ONE OF THE GREATEST COMEBACKS IN TBT HISTORY!!!!!!

THE MONEY TEAM OVERCOMES AN 18-PT DEFICIT TO STUN CARMEN'S CREW IN COLUMBUS!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/WC1r4pId90

— TBT (@thetournament) July 28, 2021

“It’s just another day, another game to the bigger picture,” TMT guard Jordon Crawford said. “We’re going to soak this in and enjoy it but it’s right back to work.”

The former Buckeyes would find their groove early by shooting 59% from the field, 43% from the three-point arc and 93% from the free-throw line. Their performance would allow them to jump ahead, taking a 50-38 lead over TMT at the half. From there, Carmen’s Crew would pour it on until a costly foul forced TMT in the bonus before the Elam Ending.

“Obviously everybody wants to win, everyone would like to win some money,” Carmen’s Crew guard Jon Diebler said. “For us, it’s about just having that chance to put the same uniform on again, especially to represent our university and our basketball program.”

TMT would initially go blow for blow in the first bits of the first half, but would eventually run out of steam. Despite the game seemingly over and the Covelli roaring, TMT found their niche and powered full-steam ahead for the finish. During the last couple of minutes in the fourth quarter and consequently the 91-point Elam Ending, TMT tied it up at 83 and then later on at 89.

This might be the best @CarmensCrew offense we’ve ever seen 👀🌰 pic.twitter.com/ElDwV2U7YR

— TBT (@thetournament) July 28, 2021

TMT may sound familiar to some sports fans as it’s backed by the team’s general manager and boxing legend: Floyd “Money” Mayweather. The team has no central alumni base like Carmen’s Crew, but they’re riddled with experienced talent throughout.

THANK YOU BUCKEYES!!!!

You guys are truly some of the best fans in the world 🌰🌰🌰 pic.twitter.com/81L841ciNZ

— TBT (@thetournament) July 28, 2021

Mayweather’s team is fairly new to The Basketball Tournament, starting up back in 2020. However, its first game in the 2021 bracket came when the No. 5 seed faced The Region, based out of Gary, Ind., on Friday. Following Jarrod Jones’ 24-point wake, TMT would defeat the No. 12 seed, 86-71.

The money-green-colored team would follow up its performance with a Sunday win over Team Hines. TMT would upset the No. 4 seed, 93-76, foreshadowing what was to come on Tuesday. TMT was led by Jeff Ledbetter and Munford who scored 26 and 23 points, respectively.

The Ohio State-backed team had done well in the tournament up to this point and has been historically great as well with an all-time record of 14-3 and a championship title in 2019. 

On Friday, Carmen’s Crew defeated No. 16 seed Mid American Unity in the first round of the TBT. The opponent was made up of mostly former Mid-American Conference (MAC) players. A popular storyline that usually occurs is the ‘big brother, little brother’ demographic when Big Ten teams face MAC teams.

Both conferences reside in the same geographical areas of the U.S., but the Big Ten is one of the country’s powerhouses where the MAC is part of the smaller Group of 5.

Carmen’s Crew v. Mid American Unity followed suit. 

The MAC derivative was competitive, leading a good amount of the game. However, a late push by Kosta Koufos put the Scarlet and Gray faithful into the win column with a score of 77-65. 

The Kosta Koufos game sends @CarmensCrew to Round 2! 🌰 pic.twitter.com/jDDAlwNOR8

— TBT (@thetournament) July 24, 2021

Then, two days later, the Crew hit it off against the Purdue-sourced Men of Mackey. It was a B1G-styled defensive slugfest early on in the game. But the Ohio State alumni found their offensive way in the latter half to put away the No. 8 opponent, 80-69.

🌰🌰🌰🌰 wins away from $1 million for @CarmensCrew! pic.twitter.com/N0vOzgLdg8

— TBT (@thetournament) July 25, 2021

Carmen’s Crew guards, Diebler and Aaron Craft announced their retirement from the team after last night’s game. Both had stated they would be willing to be a part of the team in an advisory role.

On Saturday, the Columbus Region quarterfinal game between TMT and No. 6 Blue Collar U will air on ESPN2 at 9 p.m EST.

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