For a record sixth time, TBT is returning to Wichita State. This time with a twist
For a record sixth time, summer basketball is coming to the Roundhouse.
The Basketball Tournament announced on Monday that Wichita State will once again serve as a host in the 64-team, $1 million winner-take-all event. Wichita is the longest running host site in TBT’s 11-year history, as eight teams will play a total of seven games at Koch Arena from July 18-23.
Veterans Conner Frankamp and Rashard Kelly, who were both former Shockers from 2014-18, are already committed to play for the AfterShocks, WSU’s alumni team that has become a staple for TBT.
Zach Bush, J.R. Simon and Garrett Stutz will return as coaches for the program, which has an 11-4 record with one semifinal and two quarterfinal runs to its name.
“Our event owes so much to Wichita State University and its fans,” TBT founder Jon Mugar said in a statement. “The Roundhouse has been home to some of our best and most electrifying Elam Endings ever. We look forward to working with the athletic department and Visit Wichita again to break more records this summer.”
A twist that will be unique to the 2025 edition of the tournament is that each host team will have the opportunity to keep home-court advantage all the way through to the $1 million championship game. A host team will continue to host and if two regional hosts face off, then the tiebreaker will be determined by which host sells 4,000 tickets the fastest.
The tiebreaker should favor the AfterShocks, as Wichita State fans have helped record three of the five best attendances in TBT history with six of the top-10 marks. Tickets will go on sale on May 6 and be purchased through the WSU ticket office.
“We are excited to have TBT back in Wichita for a sixth time,” WSU senior associate athletic director Brad Pittman said in a statement. “Our fans now have the opportunity to help the AfterShocks maintain home court advantage through the championship game. We are confident Shocker fans will once again show why they are the best fanbase in the country.”
This story was originally published February 25, 2025 at 8:00 AM.
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