DAYTON - The Basketball Tournament (TBT) today announced that the University of Dayton will serve as a regional event and the Championship Weekend location for the 2022 tournament. 

The Dayton alumni team, Red Scare, will be one of eight teams competing in the Dayton Regional at UD Arena from July 24-27. Quarterfinals, semifinals, and the $1 million winner-take-all championship game will be played July 29-August 2.

This year's TBT will be the first time Red Scare gets to compete in their home arena in the team's three-year history. Led by general manager/head coach Joey Gruden, a former walk-on at Dayton from 2013-18, Red Scare has won five games and lost three in the last three years, which included a run to TBT's semifinals in 2020. Initial commitments for the 2022 Red Scare roster include Trey Landers, Ryan Mikesell, and Darrell Davis.

"My teammates and I have always felt the love from the Dayton fan base wherever we've played in TBT, but the opportunity to play in UD Arena again is going to be really special for us," Red Scare forward Ryan Mikesell said. "TBT is a tremendous platform for us to relive great memories while creating new ones. I know that the Flyer Faithful will come out in full force to cheer us on just like when we were in school, and we're hopeful that we'll finally be able to hoist a TBT trophy in front of them."

"It's exciting that the TBT is returning for its second year to Dayton.  Last year's tournament was a big success and I'm sure our fans can't wait to cheer for our Red Scare alumni team in the Arena," Flyer head men's basketball coach Anthony Grant said. 

Dayton hosted TBT's Championship Weekend for the first time in 2021, which culminated in Boeheim's Army (Syracuse alumni) defeating Team 23 in one of the most memorable championship games in TBT history. 

One team from each regional will advance to TBT's quarterfinals. The winner of the Omaha Regional will play the winner of the Wichita Regional in Wichita, Kansas on Thursday, July 28, while the remaining six quarterfinalists will play in Dayton, Ohio July 29-30. The semifinals and championship game will also be played in Dayton on July 31 and August 2, respectively.

"The Red Scare fan base is one of the most passionate in TBT," said TBT founder and CEO Jon Mugar. "We wouldn't be surprised if they challenge Wichita State's attendance record in round one this year. University of Dayton was a great partner last year and we're excited to bring the championship back to UD Arena for a second consecutive year."

"Basketball is what we do," said Scott DeBolt, Executive Director of UD Arena.  "We're very, very happy to bring another marquee basketball event to the University of Dayton Arena, and the Dayton community."  

In addition to hosting Flyer men's and women's basketball games this season (all 17 men's games sold out before the season started), the Arena will also be the site of the Ohio High School Athletic Association Boy and Girls state tournament, and the NCAA First Four.

In addition to featuring the highest-stakes format in the world, TBT has become known as a trendsetter in basketball circles.  It was the first major tournament to utilize the Elam Ending, using a target score to end games rather than waiting for the clock to count down to zeros.  TBT's trademark post-game bracket celebration allows teams to literally advance themselves ahead in the bracket in front of their fans.


The NBA has adopted an Elam Ending-inspired finish to their All-Star Game for the past two years.  Multiple leagues across the world are also utilizing the Elam Ending as an alternative way to end basketball games. The bracket celebration has grown into a social media mainstay in the NCAA Tournament each year.


TBT's registration period for teams interested in competing in any of its eight regional locations will run from April 1- June 15. The 64-team field and TBT bracket will be released in late June. 

For a limited time, tickets are on sale at a substantial discount for a bundled package of all-session regional and championship tickets in the lower Arena.  Prices range from $550 to $135, which is more than a 50% savings over the individual game ticket price.  Fans can go to here to purchase these packages.  Separate all-session tickets for the regional and championship rounds will be available after the first of the year.


Regional Host Cities
●    Omaha, Neb. – headlined by Omaha Blue Crew (Creighton alumni) – July 16-19
●    Albuquerque, N.M.  – headlined by The Enchantment (New Mexico alumni)  – July 18-21
●    Cincinnati, Ohio – headlined by Zip 'Em Up (Xavier alumni)  – July 18-21
●    Wichita, Kan. – headlined by AfterShocks (Wichita State alumni) – July 22-25
●    Syracuse, N.Y. – headlined by Boeheim's Army (Syracuse alumni) – July 22-25
●    Charleston, W. Va. – headlined by Best Virginia (West Virginia alumni) and Herd That (Marshall alumni) – July 24-27
●    Dayton, Ohio - headlined by Red Scare (Dayton alumni) – July 24-27

Quarterfinals
●    Wichita - July 28
●    Dayton - July 29-30

Championship Weekend in Dayton
●    Semifinals – Sunday, July 31 
●    $1 Million, Winner-Take-All Championship – Tuesday, Aug. 2

About The Basketball Tournament
The original home of the Elam Ending, The Basketball Tournament has grown from a unique idea among friends to one of the most exciting and engaging events on the summer sports calendar, with national exposure on ESPN, social media buzz and regional championships across the country - culminating in a winner-take-all $1 million game. Every year it attracts some of the best players in the world. For more information on TBT's eighth season, visit www.thetournament.com