Blue Collar U wins TBT’s $1 million prize at UD Arena

Nick Perkins led Blue Collar U with 19 points. C.J. Massinburg, who averaged 15.2 points in six games and was named the tournament’s MVP, had 18.

“It means everything,” Massinburg said. “That’s why we play. It’s one thing to play with a team of talented guys that somebody just put together. We can hold each other accountable, and that gave us the competitive edge.”

By winning the championship. Blue Collar U claimed the $1 million prize in the winner-takes-all tournament. The money was deposited in the bank accounts of the players and coaches soon after the game.

This was the ninth TBT. Blue Collar U’s win followed championships by Carmen’s Crew (Ohio State) in 2019, the Golden Eagles (Marquette) in 2020 and Boeheim’s Army (Syracuse) in 2021. This was the second straight final played in Dayton.

Wes Clark and Perkins were named to the all-tournament team as were Red Scare guard Scoochie Smith and Chris Warren, of Florida TNT.

Blue Collar U honored victims of the mass shooting in Buffalo by wearing their names on the back of their jersey.

“This means everything for Buffalo,” Massinburg said. “I know that we’ve got a lot of support. A lot of fans were watching. Our phones are going crazy right now. The city was behind us.”