If this was their final game in Rupp Arena, the Wildcats went out on a high note. La Familia — a team of former UK basketball players — dominated Herd That in a 95-66 victory on Tuesday night to advance to the TBT quarterfinals and keep their hopes of a $1 million grand prize alive.
It was the third win in a row for the former Wildcats, who swept the Lexington Regional of The Basketball Tournament — better known as the TBT — and are now just three victories away from claiming the $1 million that will be split among the members of the winning team next month. Eric Bledsoe scored a game-high 24 points for La Familia, adding five rebounds and three assists and dazzling the Rupp crowd with an array of dribble moves and drives to the basket.
“Man, it’s been phenomenal,” Bledsoe said of his return to Rupp, where a few thousand fans have shown up over the past three games to see the former Cats. “The atmosphere has been amazing. I’m extremely humbled and excited that Kentucky asked me to play. … I’m extremely excited and grateful for this opportunity.”
Kerem Kanter — the younger brother of ex-Cat Enes Freedom Kanter — added 20 points and eight rebounds, the only member of the La Familia roster that didn’t play for UK in college. Aaron Harrison, Andrew Harrison and Nate Sestina scored 11 points each. The group will next face whoever comes out of the Louisville Regional, with The Ville — a team of former U of L players — taking on Team DRC on Wednesday night. The winner faces La Familia in the TBT quarterfinals.
If The Ville wins, then La Familia will play the ex-Cards at Freedom Hall on Monday night. If The Ville loses to Team DRC, then La Familia will host that squad in Rupp Arena on Monday night for a shot to advance to the TBT semifinals in Philadelphia.
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