House of ‘Paign’s debut TBT run ends against Red Scare

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Red Scare got a scare in the Elam Ending.

The best Ohio team in The Basketball Tournament may have not been the top-seeded defending champion hosting the field.

Instead, it was the team of Dayton alums, including a few who had a chance at top seed in the 2020 NCAA Tournament ripped away from them.

After demolishing War Tampa in the first round and skating by Carmen’s Crew in the Round of 16, the Illini alums and Co. ran out of gas. House of ‘Paign’s cinderella run in its debut TBT came to an end Friday afternoon with a 83-76 loss to No. 8 Red Scare.

Red Scare kept up the defensive intensity throughout the first half, but HoP didn’t do itself any favors en route to a 38-32 deficit at the break. House of ‘Paign turned the ball over 10 times in the first half, but more critically only shot 1-of-8 from behind the arc.

In potentially his final game with House of ‘Paign, Mike Daum put on a show again. The NBA prospect scored 12 points and had four rebounds, and was arguably the best player on the court once again. The South Dakota State alum was a terrific pickup by Mike LaTulip in House of ‘Paign’s first tournament, even if he was limited in HoP’s lone loss. Former DePaul star Billy Garrett, Jr. had 13 points for HoP.

Former Illini Andres Feliz and Malcolm Hill never were able to get it going in their third game in seven days, but Michael Finke, who ended his career at Grand Canyon, had a pair of corner threes and finished with eight points. Feliz grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds and had 17 points, most of them coming late and in the Elam Ending.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

SLOPPY START: House of ‘Paign’s bad first quarter was highlighted by a ton of turnovers, including three from Andres Feliz. It allowed Red Scare to get into transition and build an early 22-17 lead.

THE GROCE QUARTER: Did you miss watching John Groce basketball? Although his style of play worked this season in the MAC, it would’ve been hard to tell if he wasn’t on the sideline during the second quarter when HoP couldn’t get a bucket to fall or work its way toward the rim, falling behind by as many as 10 points.

ELAM ENDING: HoP was down by a ton of points (74-55) entering the Elam Ending, but that didn’t matter. The Illini guys kept fighting back once Red Scare got to 80 to give themselves a shot.

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS

This move isn’t even fair.

TWEET OF THE GAME

This tweet isn’t from this game, but it rings true.

SOUND SMART

Next year’s TBT will likely have a $2 million cash prize, assuming TBT is back to 64 teams.

$2 million > $1 million (this year’s winnings).

UP NEXT

Red Scare now advances to TBT’s Final Four on Sunday to play Golden Eagles (Marquette alumni).

House of ‘Paign is expected to return next year in 2021 — and definitely have aspirations to win a championship.