The Basketball Tournament 2024: Carmen’s Crew Team Profile

Carmen’s Crew is one of the most successful teams in the history of The Basketball Tournament and is looking to add to it in 2024.

Ohio State basketball has a storied history so it’s fitting that Carmen’s Crew was able to cut the nets down in 2019. While it’s the team’s only title in The Basketball Tournament, they’ve won at least two games in six of the seven years they’ve competed.

In 2023, Carmen’s Crew was knocked out by Friday Beers, 72-68. This time around, they’re looking to overcome an earlier exit than hoped for which is a stacked roster of mostly former Buckeyes.

Roster:

• Andre Wesson (Ohio State)
• Claudio Penha Jr. (Boston College)
• Desonta Bradford (ETSU)
• Evan Ravenel (Boston College & Ohio State)
• Jamel Morris (Glenville State & Fairmont State)
• Jeff Gibbs (Otterbein)
• Kaleb Wesson (Ohio State)
• Keyshawn Woods (Charlotte, Wake Forest, & Ohio State)
• Kyle Young (Ohio State)
• Scott Thomas (Bowling Green)

Coaching Staff:

• Jared Sullinger (GM)
• Leon Rodgers (Assistant Coach)
• Terence Dials (Assistant Coach)

Region: Dayton

All-time Record: 17-5

First Matchup: vs. Purple Hearts (July 20 at 7 p.m. on Big Ten Network)

Team MVP: Kaleb Wesson

Wesson led Carmen’s Crew in scoring in the 2023 edition of TBT, averaging 14.7 PPG across three games. Now that he has one tournament under his belt, don’t be surprised if Wesson dominates even more. TBT is a different type of game, but it favors big men who can finish strong underneath. That’s obviously a strong suit for the 6-foot-10 Wesson. Of course, his brother, Andre, is a key piece as well, and it’ll be fun to see the siblings overpower other teams in the early rounds.

Make-or-break Player: Desonta Bradford

Guard play will be key and as of June 29, Bradford is the only point guard listed on Carmen’s Crew’s roster. The East Tennessee State product can score the ball, but feeding the Wesson bros, Gibbs, and Woods will be the real test. Those are the scorers who will be most relied on and Bradford will have to earn the trust and chemistry of his teammates for a few games this summer.

Team Outlook

I’m not sure if Carmen’s Crew has enough to win a second title in TBT but they do have experienced players and a tough frontcourt.

I don’t see Purple Hearts giving them much trouble, but a potential second round matchup with Red Scare could be a challenge. The Dayton Alumni have Horizon League legend Grant Basile, all-time Flyer Scoochie Smith, and former Ohio State guard Jordan Sibert, which should create an interesting dynamic. It’s actually a more loaded team on paper than Carmen’s Crew, but for a potential second round game, should be fun to watch.

If the Ohio State alumni come out unscathed, anything is possible from there!