A best‑of‑three series pitting two of Kentucky’s most storied alumni squads is set to begin today at Memorial Coliseum. La Familia, the Kentucky basketball alumni team, will host The Ville, the Louisville alumni counterpart, in a contest that will be streamed nationally on Fox.
A format shift for the TBT
The 2026 edition of The Basketball Tournament has altered its structure, moving from single‑elimination games to a best‑of‑three series for the opening round. This change adds a layer of strategy and endurance, as teams must win two out of three games to advance.
The series winner will secure a spot in the TBT quarterfinals, a prize that has eluded both programs in recent years. With the new format, each game carries heightened significance, and the stakes are amplified by the national television audience.
A rematch with history
La Familia and The Ville previously met in the 2024 TBT quarterfinals, where La Familia emerged victorious. That win set the stage for a renewed rivalry, and today’s series offers a chance for The Ville to reverse the outcome.
The game is scheduled to start at noon, and its outcome will determine which team moves forward in the tournament bracket. Both squads bring deep rosters of former college stars, promising a competitive and entertaining affair.
National broadcast and local flavor
Fans across the country will tune in to Fox for the live broadcast, bringing the historic Kentucky rivalry to a wider audience. The matchup also highlights the regional pride of Lexington and Louisville, cities that will host the event and its traveling supporters.