TAT Final Four Breakdown: What Are Keys To Victory, Player & Team Analysis, Odds of Winning Title
by Deon Cash
With the weekend finally here, there has been a real buzz in the Dayton community and surrounding areas as The Alumni Tournament returns for the Final Four games today and Championship Game Sunday.
Here are the schedule & times for the games today at John Wooden Gymnasium in Xenia, Ohio.
Anna vs Butler 4pm ET
Springfield vs Thurgood 6pm ET.
Let's take a look at the teams and their odds of winning the first ever TAT Title?
ANNA - (Defeated Trotwood, Defeated Fairborn)
The Rockets have been the darlings of the tournament. They have brought the most fans, and they have done it with no dunking and elite shooting, playmaking, and team defense.
They jumped all over Trotwood, before holding them off late, then knocked off the tough minded Skyhawks who were riding sky high.
Lead by Derek Billing, McKane Finkenbine & Chandon Williams, they have legitimately 5-6 shooters who can hit 3s consistently. Throw in the bigs who play their roles (Phil Hoyimg, Wes Hunsucker) and now you have a recipe for success. And let's not forget the energizer guys in Riley Huelskamp & Christian Williams who played key roles in the 2nd round win.
Today they will face the biggest obstacle they have seen thus far in A.J. Pacher and Butler. How will Coach Clark and the team strategize for the matchup today? Expect a huge fan club today for the Rockets.
Odds to win TAT: 3-1
BUTLER - (Defeated Dunbar, Defeated Sidney)
The Aviators were the team who made the most noise coming into the event, by getting the go from pro A.J. Pacher.
Pacher has been unstoppable thus far, and Butler has played off of him well.
Pacher dominated Dunbar, then came back and did the same thing to Sidney. But the only difference is that Kort Justice has started to find his rhythm along with others.
Behind its trio of stars (C-Pacher,F-Bryant Johnson and G-Kort Justice), the Aviators are better than advertised. Throw in the experience and savvy of G-Michael Kreill, G-F Adam Ney and F Jordan Greer, and the Aviators are right in the thick of it.
After the 2nd round win over Sidney Johnson spoke to the masses; "Now what they gon' say?" He said with confidence, sprinkled with a little "I Told You So" sauce.
What will be the strategy of the Aviators against the shooters of Anna? Can they continue to play their pace and do whatever they want?
Odds to win TAT: 4-1
SPRINGFIELD - (Defeated Carroll, Defeated Westerville South)
The Cats clawed their way into the Final Four. They had two tough games, and they found ways to not only get back into the games, but take control late and win them.
With the trio of Danny Davis III, Raheim Moss and Akeem Freeman, the Cats have the offense weaponry to stay in any game. Add the defensive prowess of Daeshawn Jackson and Mike Wallace, and this makes Springfield a tough out against anybody.
They trailed by 20 to Westerville and pulled off the huge comeback win. Can they knock off another top tier opponent in Thurgood today?
Raheim Moss is the leader of Kingston endings with 2.
Odds to win TAT: 4-1
THURGOOD - (Defeated Xenia in 2nd Round)
The Cougars were dominant in all phases against Xenia, who looked good themselves coming into the game. The Cougars, on paper, are the slight favorites when you look at the four rosters.
But its not what's on paper.
It's how you perform with the lights on. And the Cougars put on a show in front of a packed house filled with Cougar fans.
Lead by Joe Thomasson Jr, Joe Ballard, and Mark Alstork, this team is loaded with pro talent. Add clutch vereran performers in Edmund Early Jr, Dwayne Chastain and Tremayne Hawkins and you have a team built to win.
And you can't forget about the young stars in Mekhi Elmore and Kadeim Jones. Elmore hit the Kingston ending shot to finish off Xenia while Jones looked polished in his debut.
While all four teams can with the TAT, one thing is for certain. The Cougars seem to be hitting on all cylinders. Will they keep it up today vs Springfield and get to the championship game on Sunday?
Odds to Win TAT: 2-1
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