The blue-red animosity doesn’t take a summer vacation, even when there’s no additional tournament heat on the line. For years, fans of Kentucky and Louisville have turned online squabbling into a year-round tradition, but with The Basketball Tournament (TBT) arranging a three-game showdown between the alumni squads, the hostility has reached a fever pitch this July.
With game one now finished, I can gladly say it’s business as usual for the neighbors down the street. Despite being noticeably short-handed, La Familia held The Ville accountable though it was admittedly a tight contest in front of a home crowd at Historic Memorial Coliseum on Saturday.
The final score read 72-68, sealed by a last-second dunk from Darryl Morsell, and the former Wildcats controlled most of the action until The Ville made things interesting in the closing minutes. That late flurry aside, La Familia put away a Cardinals squad that many had pegged as the favorite coming in. While several Wildcats contributed to the lesson handed to The Ville, one familiar face stood out above the rest.
Andrew Harrison, even without his brother Aaron alongside him, channeled the finest version of his older self. It was a nostalgic performance in the most delightful sense.
A Nostalgic Showing from Andrew Harrison
Harrison, who posted 14 points on the afternoon, took command as the floor leader for a Wildcats team that had lost guards Kerr Kriisa and Quade Green for various reasons. The point guard spot could have been a concern, but really were we ever doubtful?
Having a Harrison twin running the show never steers you wrong; the Cats’ lead guard converted an and-one just before halftime, pushing La Familia to a 41-33 lead at the break. Shortly after, Kentucky extended the advantage to 15, thanks to a ridiculous behind-the-back dish from DeAndre Liggins to Kahlil Whitney, who drained an open triple.
What a wild sequence. This league is pure entertainment, and for La Familia, it’s only the beginning.
What’s Ahead for La Familia
Following their opening win, La Familia will head to Louisville for a potential series-clinching game two. Of course, if the Cats drop that one, they’ll return to Lexington to settle the series in a third game.
Already riding the momentum of their first victory, La Familia is also expected to welcome back mainstay guard Archie Goodwin for the remainder of the series, after he sat out game one due to a personal issue. Late addition Marcus Lee will also make his debut for the team in the next matchup.
Securing the first win while not at full strength sent a powerful message for the boys in blue. We’ll have updates when game two tips off on Monday here’s hoping our former Cats can finish off their bitter rivals and move on to the next round.
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