COLUMBUS, Ohio — Veterans and newcomers alike will represent Ohio during the 2021 edition of The Basketball Tournament while trying to claim the $1 million winner-take-all prize.

In its eighth year, TBT will welcome back three teams that feature players with Ohio ties and will introduce two new teams as well.

Returning to TBT is 2019 champion Carmen’s Crew, a team mainly comprised of former Ohio State University basketball players, including Aaron Craft, Jon Diebler, David Lighty and William Buford. Carmen’s Crew first appeared in TBT in 2017 and has an all-time record of 12-3 in the tournament.

The team is coached by former Ohio State standout and former NBA player Jared Sullinger.

Carmen’s Crew is the No. 1 seed in the Ohio Region and will play the No. 16 Mid-American Unity, which is also making a return to TBT.

Making its third appearance in TBT, Mid-American Unity features players that spent time with multiple Ohio universities, including Ohio State, Toledo, Kent State, Akron and more. Featured players include J.D. Weatherspoon, Demetrius Treadwell and Jimmy Hall.

MAU is 1-2 all-time in TBT.

Being named the second seed in the Ohio Region is Red Scare, a team mostly of former University of Dayton players, including recent graduates Trey Landers and Ryan Mikesell and Red Scare veterans Devin Oliver and Darrell Davis.

Coming into the tournament with an all-time record of 4-2, Red Scare will play No. 15 BC Vahakni City, a buy-in team to the tournament.

The two Ohio-based newcomers to TBT will begin the tournament playing each other.

Zip ‘Em Up is an alumni-based team of mostly former Xavier University players. The No. 3 team is headlined by four-year standout JP Macura and former NBA player Trevon Blueitt.

Also joining the tournament is Ohio 1804, a team mostly comprised of former Ohio University players. The team includes multiple members of the team’s 2012 Sweet 16 run, including Reggie Keely, Stevie Taylor and Nick Kellogg.

Ohio 1804 is the No. 14 seed and is coached by former Ohio University and University of Michigan player Jaaron Simmons.

The Ohio Region will be played in the Covelli Center on the campus of Ohio State University and the semifinals and finals will be played at UD Arena at the University of Dayton.

The tournament is July 16 through Aug. 3 with ESPN as its broadcast partner.