By John Thornton, Sports Director
Scrappiness. Intensity. Hard Work. Selflessness. The guys you want to go to battle with.
These are the qualities that describe the group of 13 basketball players that make up the Jackson TN Underdawgs of The Basketball Tournament. Better known as TBT, the tournament is known for its similarities to the annual NCAA Tournament. The tournament includes a 64-team field, broken down into eight 8-team regions, competing for a $1 million cash prize, with games concluding with a target score, now known as The Elam Ending. Teams include conglomerations of ex-NBA players, alumni from major Division-I programs, and players who play professionally overseas.
The Underdawgs are very meticulous in their selection process. “The guys have to be bought into the team concept and have the right mindset. There’s a slim margin for error in this event,” said Coach Dexter Williams, who has coached the team since day one.
The players themselves meet roughly 3-4 weeks before the tournament to practice for a few days, but Williams said it’s a different environment than a college or high school practice. “These guys are playing year-round. When you get them on the court together, they know how to play. They all have a high basketball IQ. They don’t have to practice for a month, they just need time to develop chemistry. Which is why the player selection process is so important.”
In the eight-year existence of the Underdawgs, Jackson’s club has developed a reputation for slaying giants in the tournament. Antwan Long is one of the players, that has been a part of the team since its inception, including when the club stunned the University of Kentucky’s alumni group- The Bluegrass Boys- in the first round of the 2016 edition, Jackson’s first foray into the event.
“First impressions are everything, and Jackson had no notable household names in the basketball world. We were truly underdogs. The nature of the underdog really appealed to TBT. Most of the time, teams have a certain look. We were something that had not been seen before,” claimed Long.
To be selected to participate, teams have to solicit votes online. Jackson’s squad was able to round up enough support from family and friends in the Jackson area to secure a spot in 2016. At the time, the tournament was streamed via Facebook Live. “Viewership on the live stream set West Tennessee apart,” Long said.
The team has participated in every version of the TBT since, making its best run in 2019, where they won the Memphis Regional and advanced to the Elite Eight in Chicago. This prompted the TBT to set their sights on Jackson as a Regional host site for 2020. “The TBT had met with the city, and Mayor Conger even had a press conference,” explained Williams.
The COVID-19 Pandemic changed those plans. Williams remains hopeful that one day Jackson will finally be able to host a regional. “I think if we can win a region again, the TBT will revisit the idea.”
Both Long and Williams were quick to point out the sacrifices made by the players for Jackson. “Most of these guys are working. They take time away from their work and their families to represent Jackson. Most of them foot the bill for travel expenses on their own, to give Jackson some notoriety,” said Williams. There is a donation link fans can use to support the team in covering expenses for their tournament runs.
Fast forward to 2023, and the team has already made an early impression by crushing Eberlin Drive 88-68 Tuesday night.
Now, the team turns their attention to knocking off another giant in the field: Louisville Regional host “The Ville”. “It will be a tough matchup,” said Williams. “It’ll be a hostile environment. The first 5 minutes will be very important, and we’ll have to keep our poise.”
Long was quick to point to the youth and size of this year’s group that he thinks sets them apart from previous Underdawg entries. “Most of these guys play pro ball in different countries and are in their 20s. We’ve got better size than in past years. It looks a lot better than when we started. Everybody can bring the Dawg mentality.”
You can watch the Underdawgs in their matchup with The Ville tonight on ESPN+ starting at 7 p.m.
Photos courtesy of Dexter Williams and the TBT
