Kansas basketball: Heartfire ends Mass Street’s run in The Basketball Tournament

Mass Street, the Kansas basketball alumni team in The Basketball Tournament (TBT), had its run ended by Heartfire in the Sweet 16 today.

Although it was a fun experience for Kansas Jayhawks fans, its squad in TBT was eliminated this afternoon. They fell 73-60 to Heartfire after an Elam Ender by John Gillon.

Age definitely played a factor in this one, as the more youthful and athletic Heartfire team — coached by former college basketball star and NBA player LaPhonso Ellis — kept up a lightning-quick pace throughout the contest. They proved to be too much for the more experienced Mass Street roster.

Mass Street had defeated its first two opponents in TBT — We Are D3 and the Show Me Squad — in thrilling fashion with Elam Enders by Thomas Robinson. “T-Rob” was less effective this afternoon, scoring a tournament-low 11 points and fouling out of regulation.

It was not a pretty performance by head coach Marcus Morris’ unit. Despite taking a six-point lead into the second quarter, they found themselves trailing by eight heading into halftime. Mass Street had shot 27% from the field at the midway point.

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There were plenty of missed opportunities by Mass Street. On top of being outscored 38-8 in terms of bench points, they could have cut the deficit to three points toward the end of the third quarter. However, a turnover and made a 3-point shot by Heartfire extended it to eight.

Struggling with defensive rebounding was the team’s biggest issue. Mass Street could not keep up with the more energetic Heartfire. Even after forcing missed shots, Mass Street could not capitalize by grabbing rebounds.

Tyshawn Taylor was ruled out before the game, which was a huge blow. There were no true point guards on the floor for Kansas, and it resulted in sloppy offensive possessions and countless turnovers.

It marks the final professional game of Keith Langford’s playing career. The 39-year-old announced he would call it quits for good following the conclusion of TBT. He was one of the best players on the unit throughout the bracket.

Kansas basketball fans still showed up, as it was the most attended regional final in TBT history. The outcome of the game was not how the Jayhawk faithful would have hoped, but at least they made their way out to support their school.

Mass Street’s run in TBT is complete. All we can hope is that KU’s NIL sponsor puts out another squad next year and that it is even better than this one.

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