LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The excitement of thousands of Cardinals and Wildcats fans filled Freedom Hall as former players from both teams played against each other.
This time the former Cats players are known as La Familia and Cardinal alums are known as The Ville in The Basketball Tournament.
“It's great you know it brings back the memories when they were winning championships during the Final Four and making runs and it’s great to see them back out there, it brings back the memories for us,” The Ville fan Greg Cole said.
Most of the players have professional experience playing for the NBA and international teams.
Fans were most excited to see their favorite players.
“I’m really excited to see Tyler Ulis coach see Kellan Grady and Nate Sestina back again especially against Louisville,” La Familia fan James Watterson said.
Most fans for The Ville were strongly counting on certain players to help bring home the win.
“My favorite is Montrezl Harrell he brings the energy and the motion and gets everybody behind him and gets the crowd into it," Cole said.
Some La Familia fans like Med French disagree.
“One of my favorites, Nate Sestina, man he’s still hooping like he did when he was in school," said French.
The iconic rivalry even brought younger generations to the stands at Freedom Hall.
“It’s very cool I mean I love basketball and hopefully I can be up there one day,” fan Nicholas Cole said.
Fans were excited and ready to cheer on their teams to a win.
“I’m thinking whoever takes this game tonight will walk to the victory in Philly," fan Morgan Bush said.
La Familia walked away with the win Monday night, beating The Ville 70-61.
A record-breaking 13,506 fans were at the TBT game. In honor of this high attendance Mayor Craig Greenberg declared July 29, 2024 as TBT Day in Louisville.
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.