A Hot Start in Henderson
The alumni side known as La Familia opened the contest with a 15‑10 lead after the first quarter, fueled by a 12‑2 run that stretched the advantage to double digits. By halftime the Kentucky contingent held a 37‑30 edge, and the momentum continued into the third frame as they outscored JHX 21‑7.
Archie Goodwin paced the winners with 28 points, including five three‑pointers, while Willie Cauley‑Stein contributed a perfect 3‑for‑3 shooting performance and added three rebounds. Darryl Morsell also reached double figures, ensuring a balanced offensive output that left the opposition scrambling to keep pace.
Championship Implications and Rivalry Roots
With the alumni bracket title secured, La Familia now stands one game away from the tournament’s winner‑takes‑all $2 million championship. The final will be contested on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, facing either The Mecca or Davis Steel. The matchup adds another chapter to the long‑standing rivalry between Kentucky and Kansas, the two programs that top the all‑time NCAA Division I win list.
The upcoming title game will feature a clash of histories, as Kentucky enters the 2026‑27 season with 2,444 career victories — six ahead of Kansas’s 2,438. Both schools have scheduled a regular‑season meeting for November 10 in Chicago, underscoring the continued intensity of their competition.
Looking Beyond the Tournament
For several members of the roster, the TBT run may represent a final chapter in their professional basketball journeys. Willie Cauley‑Stein announced that the tournament would be his last organized professional appearance, while Archie Goodwin and his teammates savor the chance to finish the season on a high note before turning their attention to upcoming commitments, including the November showdown with Kansas.