Syracuse, N.Y. — Darryl Watkins heard all about Boeheim's Army last year from his former Syracuse basketball teammates.
Demetris Nichols and Terrence Roberts explained the concept behind The Basketball Tournament and Boeheim's Army's place in the then-$1 million winner-take-all summer sweepstakes. So when Watkins returned home to New Jersey after playing professionally in France, he took an active interest.
"I ended up watching the games," he said, "and I was upset at myself that I didn't play. This year, I decided to go ahead and play."
Watkins, 31, is one of many former Syracuse players on the roster.