Kentucky fans have found a summer basketball fix in the TBT, and this year La Familia’s run comes with an added layer: a three-game showdown against Louisville’s alumni team, The Ville.
The first meeting is set for Saturday at noon in Memorial Coliseum and will air on Fox. The series then shifts to Louisville on Monday night at Freedom Hall, with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 PM. If a third game is needed, the TBT determined the host site by ticket sales from each fan base, and Kentucky’s supporters won that race, giving the Wildcats another home game in Lexington.
The hope inside Big Blue Nation is simple: La Familia takes care of business in two games and makes the third one unnecessary.
Kentucky’s roster includes six former Wildcats: Willie Cauley-Stein, Andrew Harrison, Archie Goodwin, Kahlil Whitney, Marcus Lee, and Deandre Liggins. Goodwin will miss the opener but is expected to be available for game two in Louisville.
For Cauley-Stein, the event carries a little extra weight. This is the final basketball he is going to play, and he’ll be looking to finish with a strong run, starting with a win over The Ville. He remains a favorite among Kentucky fans, who will get one more chance to see him in Blue and White.
Saturday’s game will also feature a white out, so fans heading to Memorial Coliseum are being asked to wear a white Kentucky shirt. A win in Lexington would put all the pressure on The Ville and give coach Jon Hood a chance to keep control of the series from the start.
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