OMAHA,  June 22, 2022 –  The Basketball Tournament (TBT) – the $1 million, winner-take-all summer basketball event broadcast live on ESPN networks – today revealed that The Cru, the Valparaiso alumni team, has been admitted into TBT’s 64-team field. The Cru, a first-year TBT franchise, will be competing in the Omaha Regional at D.J. Sokol Arena from July 16-20. 

The Cru is organized and coached by former Valparaiso student manager and walk-on Jason Karys. The Cru’s current roster includes:

• Brandon Wood (2009-11)

• Cory Johnson (2009-11)

• Lavonte Dority (2012-14)

• Keith Carter (2013-16)

• Darien Walker (2014-16)

• Jubril Adekoya (2013-17)

• Eron Gordon (2019-22)

• Ivan Almeida (Stonehill College)

• Jay Harris (UIC)

• Jeremiah April (Indiana/Wheeling University)

The #8 seed The Cru will take on the #1 seed Gutter Cat Gang in the team’s first-round game on Saturday, July 16 at 11 am CT. If The Cru advances to the second round, they will face the winner of #4 seed Always Us (Oregon alumni) and #5 seed Jackson TN Underdawgs on Sunday, July 17 at 5 pm CT.

The Omaha Regional Championship Game will be played Tuesday, July 19, at 6 pm CT.

 TV broadcast information will be announced soon.

The winner of the Omaha Regional will face the winner of the Wichita Regional in the quarterfinals in Wichita on July 27. The semifinals will be in Dayton, Ohio at UD Arena on July 30, and the $1M winner-take-all championship game on Aug. 2.

For more information on The Cru and tickets for this year’s TBT, visit TheTournament.com.