In a stunning TBT Tournament upset, Boeheim’s Army—the star-studded Syracuse alumni team—fell 72-70 to underdogs We Are D3 on Ty Nichols’ dramatic buzzer-beating floater in the Elam Ending. The loss cuts short their $1 million championship dreams after a dominant first-round performance.

Buddy Boeheim’s inconsistent shooting (3-of-12 from deep) and late-game execution failures haunted the fan favorites, raising questions about the team’s future roster construction. Meanwhile, We Are D3’s Cinderella run continues with their second straight upset against TBT heavyweights.

TBT Tournament Upset: Boeheim’s Army Falls to We Are D3 – Analyzing Buddy Boeheim’s Future and Syracuse Alumni’s Next Moves

Stunning Buzzer-Beater Ends Boeheim’s Army TBT Run

The 2025 TBT Tournament witnessed one of its most dramatic upsets when Division III alumni team We Are D3 eliminated Boeheim’s Army with a 72-70 victory, sealed by Ty Nichols’ buzzer-beating floater under the Elam Ending rules. The Syracuse alumni squad, coming off a dominant 97-71 first-round win against Herkimer Originals, saw their championship aspirations shattered despite leading 68-65 in the final four minutes.

Key factors in the loss:

• 12 team turnovers, including 3 in the final sequence
• Buddy Boeheim shooting just 3-of-12 from three-point range
• We Are D3’s 13 offensive rebounds leading to second-chance points

This marks the earliest exit for Boeheim’s Army since 2018. Their inability to adjust defensively against smaller, quicker opponents raises serious questions about roster construction for next year’s tournament.

Buddy Boeheim’s Professional Prospects After TBT Performance

The former Syracuse sharpshooter’s inconsistent shooting throughout the tournament casts doubt on his NBA aspirations. While Boeheim showed flashes of brilliance against Herkimer (22 points, 50% from three), his shooting slump versus We Are D3 (14 points, 25% from deep) mirrored his G-League struggles last season.

At 24 years old without NBA Summer League interest, Buddy’s best immediate option might be Europe. His 6’6″ frame and quick release could thrive in FIBA rules, but he’ll need to improve his off-ball movement.

Overseas Options for Syracuse Standout

Several international scouts attended the TBT games, with teams from Spain’s ACB and Germany’s BBL reportedly showing interest in Boeheim. His tournament performance, while inconsistent, demonstrated NBA-range shooting that could translate well overseas.

Elam Ending Exposed Boeheim’s Army’s Late-Game Weaknesses

The tournament’s signature target-score finish magnified Boeheim’s Army’s execution flaws. Leading 68-65 when the Elam Ending kicked in at the 4:00 mark, the Syracuse alumni committed critical turnovers while We Are D3’s Ty Nichols scored 7 of his game-high 19 points in the closing sequence.

Critical breakdowns in the final minutes:

• Failed to exploit size mismatch against smaller defenders
• Timeout mismanagement with 30 seconds remaining
• Poor switching on Nichols’ game-winning drive

Coaching must shoulder blame here. Allen Griffin needed to design better ATO (after timeout) plays when games entered crunch time situations. The team looked unprepared for pressure moments despite veteran leadership.

We Are D3’s Cinderella Story: Can They Win $1 Million?

The Division III alumni team continues their improbable run through the TBT bracket, defeating their second consecutive tournament favorite. The squad compiled from Division III stars outperformed expectations with relentless defense and balanced scoring.

X-factors in their upset victory:

• Nichols’ 19-point showcase including the game-winner
• Four players scoring in double figures
• +7 rebounding margin against bigger opponents

Don’t sleep on We Are D3 going deeper. Their ball movement and conditioning are superior to many ‘name’ teams in the field. The way they handled Boeheim’s Army’s pressure suggests they can compete against any remaining opponent.

Syracuse Alumni’s Uncertain Future After Early Exit

With their 2025 TBT campaign ending prematurely, Boeheim’s Army faces existential questions about roster continuity. Key players like Elijah Hughes (16.5 ppg) and Jacob Gilyard (8.5 apg) may pursue professional opportunities that conflict with next summer’s tournament schedule.

Potential roster changes for 2026:

• Adding younger Syracuse graduates like Joe Girard III
• Seeking defensive specialists to counter small-ball lineups
• Finding a true rim protector to anchor the defense

The program needs fresh blood. Bringing back the same core would be sentimental but unwise. Look what happened when Team Arkansas revamped their roster – they went from first round exits to championship contenders.

How to Watch Remaining TBT Tournament Action

Basketball fans can follow We Are D3’s continuing journey through ESPN platforms:

• Quarterfinals: July 24 on ESPN+
• Semifinals: July 28 on ESPN2
• Championship: July 30 on ESPN ($1 million game)

The beauty of TBT lies in uncovering these underdog stories. We Are D3’s run proves the tournament’s competitive depth extends far beyond former NBA players and Power Five alumni teams.