RICHMOND (WAVY) – Frank Hassell showed he can still play some basketball. He scored a team-best 14 points, leading Monarch Nation to a 72-59 win over the Hilltop Dawgs of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County in the opening round of TBT, or “The Basketball Tournament.”
The tournament, which started five years ago, pits teams of former college basketball players against one another in a single-elimination, winner-take-all with a $2 million grand prize on the line.
Along with Hassell, ODU’s team features the high-flying Richard Ross, Hampton duo Aaron Bacote and Jordan Baker, along with Nick Wright.
On Sunday, they’ll face the three-time defending champions of Overseas Elite, who’s name suits them. Overseas Elite is a perfect 19-0 since joining the tournament, and has pocketed $5 million in the process.
Monarch Nation’s game will tip off at 2:40 on Sunday, and can be see on ESPN3.
ODU’s arch rival, VCU has a team, aptly named “Ram Nation,” and advanced with a rather easy 86-72 win over Tampa 20-20. They will face Atlanta Dirty South on Sunday at 4:30 pm.
