Kentucky's alumni team set for three-game series with Louisville in TBT brawl

Seeing the Big Blue Nation pack arenas and travel for Kentucky alumni in The Basketball Tournament (TBT) has been a summer highlight for nearly three years now. Not only is it a treat to see former Cats suit up in the blue once more, but it gives fans something to do ahead of the season tipping off in the fall.

It's especially exciting when Kentucky goes head-to-head with Louisville. The team's lone matchup in TBT came back in 2024 when, amongst numerous scraps and too many bad words to type, Kentucky's La Familia came out on top 70-61. Folks have been vying for a rematch since then.

And now, as TBT just announced, fans on either side of the pond will get their wish, and then some. Blue and red alumni will face off in a three-game series; the first will take place at Memorial Coliseum, and the second, Freedom Hall.

If a deciding contest is required, whichever fanbase secures the most tickets in the next 24 hours will be granted the advantage to host. Let the games officially begin.

Round Two (Three and Four)

With only one game under the two teams' belt - the latest iteration of an ages-old rivalry - it's hard to get a read on exactly how this series could go down. It doesn't help that the rosters are still being built on either side. Each time, so far, has managed to commit three players.

Louisville first, since I'm not going to talk about them for any longer than I have to: Russ Smith, Edgar Sosa, and Malik Williams. Yahtzee.

The Cats, on the other hand, will return Willie Cauley-Stein and Archie Goodwin from last year's roster. New to the squad is the more recent Wildcat Reid Travis, who should bring significantly more grit to the paint for a team that struggled in that regard last summer.

Extra Grit Down Low

Travis, who eventually had a brief stint with the Indiana Mad Ants after going undrafted in 2019, has since found success overseas. Most recently, he averaged 13.2 points and 6.9 boards per game with the Hitachi Sun Rockers in the 2024-25 season.

Now, back with a fanbase that had his back when he transferred to Lexington initially, Travis has the chance to make a renewed impact on the city that sent him off to a respectable professional career.

The BBN will always have a soft spot for alumni, although especially so for those willing to put their bodies on the line for the blue and white years down the road once more. We'll track the announcements as they come, but in the meantime...

Get your tickets for game one and get behind this unique Kentucky team! It's L's down always, no matter the time of year or occasion.

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