Former Northwestern Center Joins Men of Mackey 2024 TBT Squad

Benson was a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection during his time at Northwestern. He appeared 96 career games during his time in Evanston, including 14 starts. The 6-foot-10 center was also a member on the first Northwestern teams that ever made an NCAA Tournament appearance (2017).

After transferring from Northwestern, Benson had a strong senior season at Southern Illinois. He averaged a career-best 10.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and nearly a block per contest.

Men of Mackey roster

• Sasha Stefanovic (Purdue)
• Kelsey Barlow (Purdue)
• David Jenkins Jr. (Purdue)
• Jon Octeus (Purdue)
• Eric Hunter Jr. (Purdue)
• Malik Osborne (Florida State)
• Ian Miller (Florida State)
• Max Landis (Purdue Fort Wayne)
• Bobby Planutis (Purdue Fort Wayne)
• Tahjai Teague (Ball State)
• Mbacke Diong (UNLV/UCF)

What is TBT?

TBT (The Basketball Tournament) is a summer basketball event that features several former college basketball standouts. It's a single-elimination event — similar to the NCAA Tournament — with a $1 million, winner-take-all prize at stake.

Men of Mackey will start the TBT in the Butler Regional (Indianapolis) and play at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Games are scheduled to be played between July 19-23 for the regional. Both Indiana and Butler will also have alumni teams participating in this year's TBT event.

Butler Regional schedule

No. 1 Assembly Ball (Indiana alumni) vs. No. 8 The Cru (Valparaiso alumni)

• Date: Friday, July 19
• Time: 8 p.m. ET
• TV: Big Ten Network

No. 4 Men of Mackey (Purdue alumni) vs. No. 5 Fort Wayne Champs

• Date: Friday, July 19
• Time: 3 p.m. ET
• TV: TBT Live

No. 3 Team Arkansas (Arkansas alumni) vs. No. 6 Eberlein Drive

• Date: Friday, July 19
• Time: 1 p.m. ET
• TV: TBT Live

No. 2 All Good Dawgs (Butler alumni) vs. No. 7 Fail Harder

• Date: Friday, July 19
• Time: 6 p.m. ET
• TV: Fox Sports 2