Following a resounding 15-point win over Zoo Crew in an opening-round matchup of The Basketball Tournament last Tuesday in Wheeling, Herd That guard Jon Elmore shared insight on what fueled the 2023 version of Marshall’s alumni-based team.
“The biggest thing we preached during training camp is we’re playing for $1 million on ESPN,” Elmore said.” If you can’t play hard, get ready for a game like that and bring energy when you’re in, you’re probably in the wrong place.”
It’s safe to say that message was heard loud and clear by members of Herd That. A No. 4 seed in the Wheeling Regional, the team posted four victories over a six-day stretch to advance to Wednesday’s TBT semifinal against Team Heartfire, which will be shown on ESPN and played at Drexel University’s John A. Daskalakis Athletic Center.
Four members of Team Heartfire — Craig Sword, Eric Griffin, Marcus Hall and Raphiael Putney — previously played in TBT for Team 23, which eliminated Herd That in Charleston two years ago.
“We have a completely different team and they have a completely different team,” Herd That coach/GM Ot Elmore said. “I like our guys, so we’ll see.”
Team Heartfire advanced as the No. 2 seed out of the Wichita Regional, and it’s been tested early and often in TBT play.
Griffin scored 16 points in a 69-66 victory over JUCO Products in an opening-round matchup, and Sword combined with Richard Solomon to lead the way in a 62-57 victory over LA Cheaters.
Hall’s 15 points and Solomon’s double-double were key in a 73-60 victory over Mass Street in the regional final, and the team posted its most convincing win in a quarterfinal, topping AfterShocks 76-53 behind Tevin Mack’s 17 points.
In its most recent outing, Herd That outscored Boeheim’s Army by 21 points in the third quarter to turn a five-point deficit into a runaway victory. The team’s closest call thus far came in a 73-64 victory over Sideline Cancer for the West Virginia Regional title, which followed a 13-point triumph over Best Virginia.
“The coaching staff did a great job going small, picking up the energy, playing small ball and switching screens,” Jon Elmore said. “Then we got those easy buckets. Each game, we’ve been able to take something and get better and better, which is kind of what you have to do on the fly in TBT. This was another step in the right direction and a positive step. A quick turnaround Wednesday. We have to go back to the drawing board and be even better than we were today.”
Jon Elmore and Rob Gray form the starting backcourt and have led the charge offensively for a team that’s proven it can win with its play on both ends.
While eliminating alumni-based squads from Pitt, West Virginia and Syracuse in addition to the impressive performance against Sideline Cancer, Herd That has put its depth and camaraderie on display often, while continuing to gain confidence each step of the way.
“No matter if you’re playing against MJ, you have to be confident in yourself or you’re never going to have a chance,” Gray said. “Sixty-four teams and one team gets a million. If you’re not confident in yourself from the jump, then what are you doing here? I don’t think you can approach the game with the right attitude unless you’re confident in yourself and those around you. We came together on short notice. Some of these guys have known each other longer and they have great confidence and years of practice under their belts, but for the most part, we all know basketball.”
As Elmore and Gray continue to shine offensively while players such as James Kelly, Jacorey Williams, Derek Cooke Jr. make their mark in the front court and JP Tokoto and Taevion Kinsey more than hold their own on the wing, Herd That has shown it’s comfortable relying on the majority of its roster for contributions. Add in Jarrod West, who can play with or help to spell Elmore and Gray, and it’s another player the team counts on.
The key offensively, regardless of opponent, is to share the ball and make it a point to play in transition.
When Herd That is able to generate defensive stops at the rate it has for much of the tournament, it only adds to the team’s ability to play at its desired pace. That will be especially pivotal against Team Heartfire, which is plenty comfortable and likely hoping to slow the game down.
“We’re going to play the way we play no matter who we play,” Ot Elmore said. “We’re going to be getting up and down. If they’re not getting up and down, we’re going to be getting some layups, so they’re going to have to run with us. We’re going to pick up and have good energy on defense and get it out quick and go. You’re not going to be able to slow it down with the guys we have.”
The winner of Herd That-Team Heartfire will play at 7 p.m. Thursday in TBT title game against the winner of Wednesday’s second semifinal between Friday Beers-Bleed Green.