Xavier University Athletics
Xavier to Host 2022 The Basketball Tournament Regional
12.08.21 | Men's Basketball, Athletic Department, Tickets, Featured
Xavier alumni team to serve as the event’s host team.
CINCINNATI --- The Basketball Tournament (TBT), a 64-team, $1 million winner-take-all event televised live on the ESPN networks, today announced that for the first time Xavier University will serve as one of the tournament's eight regional locations in 2022. Zip 'Em Up, the school's alumni team, will be the featured team in the Xavier Regional, to be played at the Cintas Center from July 18-21.
"I am always excited when I see our basketball alums back at Cintas Center," said Xavier men's basketball head coach Travis Steele. The chance to bring them back and bring a big basketball event here during the summer makes it even better. I know our fans will be excited to cheer for a lot of their favorites on the court where they created a lot of winning memories."
"We are always looking for ways to engage our fans during the summer months leading up to a new season," said Xavier associate athletic director for external relations Brian Hicks. "Bringing the excitement of the popular TBT to Cintas Center is a great way to stay connected to our fans and introduce our beautiful venue to all basketball fans. When TBT organizers sought us out at a host site, I knew it would be a great fit. Our fans embraced the alumni team last summer and I know they will be excited to see some of our Musketeer legends competing here on campus."
Zip 'Em Up is a second-year TBT team organized by former Xavier point guard Dee Davis and former Xavier assistant coach Rick Carter. Featuring several well-known Musketeers alums, Zip 'Em Up made it to the second round of the Columbus Regional in TBT 2021. In the team's first-round game, Zip 'Em Up dominated Ohio 1804 (Ohio University alumni) 91-67 in front of a large crowd of Xavier fans, as the trio of Trevon Bluiett, J.P. Macura, and Mark Lyons combined for nearly half the team's points.
As Zip 'Em Up gets set to play games at home for the first time, Bluiett, Macura, and Lyons have all committed to return to the team in 2022.
"Playing in TBT and representing Xavier University was such an incredible experience for us last year, and to now be able to do it at home is going to make it all the more special," said Zip 'Em Up guard J.P. Macura. "It's a testament to our fans, Coach Steele, and the Xavier athletic department, whose support have made this all possible. We have big plans for 2022, and we know that the Musketeers fan base will be there for us every step of the way, including packing the Cintas Center for all of our games. We can't wait to see everyone in July!"
"Helping to put together this Zip 'Em Up team last summer and give our Musketeers alums a platform to continue to represent Xavier University was incredibly rewarding," said Dee Davis. "We're excited and appreciative to be able to bring this event to Cincinnati in just our second year competing in TBT. We cannot wait to see the great Xavier fan base this summer, and entertain them with a team filled with some of their favorite all-time Musketeers."
Additional roster announcements will be made in the near future.
Alongside Zip 'Em Up, seven other teams will compete in the Xavier Regional, with all games being broadcast live across the ESPN networks. First-round games at the Cintas Center will begin Monday, July 18. The remaining four teams will compete in the Regional Semifinals Tuesday, July 19, and the Regional Championship will be played Thursday, July 21.
"Zip 'Em Up was one of the most impressive first-year teams we've ever had in TBT," said TBT founder and CEO Jon Mugar. "From their incredible fan base who traveled to Columbus to watch them last year to the way the players competed, that group embodied everything we'd want in a TBT host. We're pleased to be able to bring TBT to the Cintas Center in partnership with Xavier University."
One team from each regional will advance to TBT's quarterfinals. The winner of the Omaha Regional will play the winner of the Wichita Regional in Wichita, Kansas on Thursday, July 28, while the remaining six quarterfinalists will play in Dayton, Ohio July 29-30. The semifinals and championship game will also be played in Dayton on July 31 and August 2, respectively.
In addition to featuring the highest stakes format in the world, TBT has become known as a trendsetter in basketball circles. Its trademark, post game bracket celebration has grown into a mainstay in the NCAA Tournament each year. The NBA has adopted an Elam Ending-inspired finish to their All-Star Game for the past two years as well. Multiple leagues across the world are also utilizing TBT's Elam Ending as an alternative way to end basketball games.
TBT's registration period for teams interested in competing in any of its eight regional locations will run from April 1- June 15. The 64-team field and TBT bracket will be released in late June.
Tickets are on sale now at TheTournament.com/tickets and GoXavier.com/TBT. All-Session passes begin at $100 and include entry for all 7 games during the Xavier Regional event.
Regional Host Cities
Quarterfinals
Championship Weekend in Dayton
About The Basketball Tournament
The original home of the Elam Ending, The Basketball Tournament has grown from a unique idea among friends to one of the most exciting and engaging events on the summer sports calendar, with national exposure on ESPN, social media buzz and regional championships across the country - culminating in a winner-take-all $1 million game. Every year it attracts some of the best players in the world. For more information on TBT's eighth season, visit www.thetournament.com
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"I am always excited when I see our basketball alums back at Cintas Center," said Xavier men's basketball head coach Travis Steele. The chance to bring them back and bring a big basketball event here during the summer makes it even better. I know our fans will be excited to cheer for a lot of their favorites on the court where they created a lot of winning memories."
"We are always looking for ways to engage our fans during the summer months leading up to a new season," said Xavier associate athletic director for external relations Brian Hicks. "Bringing the excitement of the popular TBT to Cintas Center is a great way to stay connected to our fans and introduce our beautiful venue to all basketball fans. When TBT organizers sought us out at a host site, I knew it would be a great fit. Our fans embraced the alumni team last summer and I know they will be excited to see some of our Musketeer legends competing here on campus."
Zip 'Em Up is a second-year TBT team organized by former Xavier point guard Dee Davis and former Xavier assistant coach Rick Carter. Featuring several well-known Musketeers alums, Zip 'Em Up made it to the second round of the Columbus Regional in TBT 2021. In the team's first-round game, Zip 'Em Up dominated Ohio 1804 (Ohio University alumni) 91-67 in front of a large crowd of Xavier fans, as the trio of Trevon Bluiett, J.P. Macura, and Mark Lyons combined for nearly half the team's points.
As Zip 'Em Up gets set to play games at home for the first time, Bluiett, Macura, and Lyons have all committed to return to the team in 2022.
"Playing in TBT and representing Xavier University was such an incredible experience for us last year, and to now be able to do it at home is going to make it all the more special," said Zip 'Em Up guard J.P. Macura. "It's a testament to our fans, Coach Steele, and the Xavier athletic department, whose support have made this all possible. We have big plans for 2022, and we know that the Musketeers fan base will be there for us every step of the way, including packing the Cintas Center for all of our games. We can't wait to see everyone in July!"
"Helping to put together this Zip 'Em Up team last summer and give our Musketeers alums a platform to continue to represent Xavier University was incredibly rewarding," said Dee Davis. "We're excited and appreciative to be able to bring this event to Cincinnati in just our second year competing in TBT. We cannot wait to see the great Xavier fan base this summer, and entertain them with a team filled with some of their favorite all-time Musketeers."
Additional roster announcements will be made in the near future.
Alongside Zip 'Em Up, seven other teams will compete in the Xavier Regional, with all games being broadcast live across the ESPN networks. First-round games at the Cintas Center will begin Monday, July 18. The remaining four teams will compete in the Regional Semifinals Tuesday, July 19, and the Regional Championship will be played Thursday, July 21.
"Zip 'Em Up was one of the most impressive first-year teams we've ever had in TBT," said TBT founder and CEO Jon Mugar. "From their incredible fan base who traveled to Columbus to watch them last year to the way the players competed, that group embodied everything we'd want in a TBT host. We're pleased to be able to bring TBT to the Cintas Center in partnership with Xavier University."
One team from each regional will advance to TBT's quarterfinals. The winner of the Omaha Regional will play the winner of the Wichita Regional in Wichita, Kansas on Thursday, July 28, while the remaining six quarterfinalists will play in Dayton, Ohio July 29-30. The semifinals and championship game will also be played in Dayton on July 31 and August 2, respectively.
In addition to featuring the highest stakes format in the world, TBT has become known as a trendsetter in basketball circles. Its trademark, post game bracket celebration has grown into a mainstay in the NCAA Tournament each year. The NBA has adopted an Elam Ending-inspired finish to their All-Star Game for the past two years as well. Multiple leagues across the world are also utilizing TBT's Elam Ending as an alternative way to end basketball games.
TBT's registration period for teams interested in competing in any of its eight regional locations will run from April 1- June 15. The 64-team field and TBT bracket will be released in late June.
Tickets are on sale now at TheTournament.com/tickets and GoXavier.com/TBT. All-Session passes begin at $100 and include entry for all 7 games during the Xavier Regional event.
Regional Host Cities
- Omaha, Neb. – headlined by Omaha Blue Crew (Creighton alumni) – July 16-19
- Albuquerque, N.M. – headlined by The Enchantment (New Mexico alumni) – July 18-21
- Cincinnati, Ohio – headlined by Zip 'Em Up (Xavier alumni) – July 18-21
- Wichita, Kan. – headlined by AfterShocks (Wichita State alumni) – July 22-25
- Syracuse, N.Y. – headlined by Boehiem's Army (Syracuse alumni) – July 22-25
- Charleston, W. Va. – headlined by Best Virginia (West Virginia alumni) and Herd That (Marshall alumni) – July 24-27
- Dayton, Ohio - headlined by Red Scare (Dayton alumni) – July 24-27
Quarterfinals
- Wichita - July 28
- Dayton - July 29-30
Championship Weekend in Dayton
- Semifinals – Sunday, July 31
- $1 Million, Winner-Take-All Championship – Tuesday, Aug. 2
About The Basketball Tournament
The original home of the Elam Ending, The Basketball Tournament has grown from a unique idea among friends to one of the most exciting and engaging events on the summer sports calendar, with national exposure on ESPN, social media buzz and regional championships across the country - culminating in a winner-take-all $1 million game. Every year it attracts some of the best players in the world. For more information on TBT's eighth season, visit www.thetournament.com
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