'A special group.' Youth movement looks to lead Xavier-based Zip 'Em Up in this week's TBT

The Xavier-based alumni team, Zip 'Em Up, is preparing for its fourth season in The Basketball Tournament (TBT). Despite a winning record (4-3) all-time through three seasons, Zip 'Em Up is bidding for a deeper run in this year's regional, starting with their matchup with No. 7 seed Takeover BC on Friday night (6 p.m.) at Fifth Third Arena.

"The first three years were great. We had big names, fans and all of that. I feel like this year's (team) is more cohesive. I think this is gonna be a special group," said head coach Dee Davis, who played in 133 games in four seasons under Chris Mack from 2011-2015.

Davis, who also serves as the team's General Manager, was tasked with shaking up the roster. The result? A youth movement that he hopes takes Zip 'Em Up over the top with a chance at advancing forward through the bracket toward the $1 million winner-take-all prize in the 11th season of TBT.

"I really wanted to bring in a younger cast. The first couple of years we've done it, we've had older guys − big names, but older guys," Davis said. "This year, I wanted more of a new face − somebody more recent in the years for Xavier fans that they've been watching to give us a little bit more energy off the bench and be a positive group."

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Spearheading the youth movement is former Musketeer Adam Kunkel, who was the biggest addition this offseason by Davis and company. Kunkel, a Cooper High School product who helped lead Xavier to an NIT title and a Sweet 16 berth, shot 42.5% from 3-point range in his final season with the Musketeers in 2023.

"Adam's gonna bring a big dynamic," Davis said. "He's always been aggressive to score, he plays hard on defense and the fans love him. He's gonna bring us a lot of energy."

Kunkel, who signed with the G-League's South Bay Lakers in March, showcased his shooting ability on Wednesday during TBT Media Day from the Klekamp Family Training Center at Cintas Center during the 5-on-5 portion of practice open to the media.

One important factor for Zip 'Em Up was the amount of speed on the floor. The two squads battled in a back-and-forth, up-tempo clash, with Kunkel splashing in a 3-pointer from the wing to give his team a victory. It's the same fast-paced style a lot of former Musketeers are used to from their collegiate and professional careers.

"Going through training camp, a lot of the stuff I implemented was stuff that they already did. Here at Xavier, I watched them play and watched what they've done overseas the last couple seasons and how they benefited from our offense and defense," Davis said.

"I feel like this is one of the most positive, unselfish groups that I've put together."

It's difficult for Zip 'Em Up to get ahead of itself after falling in the second round of last year's TBT, but it's hard to ignore the possibility of an alumni Crosstown Shootout rematch taking place if Zip 'Em Up and the UC-based alumni team Nasty Nati were to advance to the regional final. Nasty Nati won last year's bout with Zip 'Em Up, 77-73.

"It's almost like a second home to me," said Trevon Bluiett, who scored 40 points in the Crosstown Shootout in his last game at Fifth Third Arena. "I hope we can matchup with each other and give Cincinnati another good duel."

Bluiett was the man of the hour Wednesday, finishing up practice and checking his barrage of congratulatory messages after it was announced that his No. 5 jersey would be retired by Xavier.

"It's a surreal feeling that it's happening," the Xavier Hall-of-Famer said. "It's elite company. It's like the Mount Rushmore. To be on that for Xavier, it means a lot."

Bluiett backed up Davis' stance that this year's Zip 'Em Up team will try to play fast and with energy.

"We're gonna try to get energized with the crowd even though we're playing at the other guys' (UC's) spot," Bluiett said. "We're gonna try to have fun and just play."

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 'A special group.' Youth movement looks to lead Xavier-based Zip 'Em Up in this week's TBT