LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Teams made up mostly of Kentucky and Louisville basketball alumni will face off Monday night at Freedom Hall in pursuit of a $1 million prize.
La Familia and The Ville will bring more than 10,000 people to Louisville's historic arena in the quarterfinals of The Basketball Tournament. As of Sunday, more than 11,000 tickets had been sold, guaranteeing a TBT record. Over the TBT’s 11-season run, the record turnout was 7,202 in Wichita last season.
Louisville's roster is headlined by Peyton Siva, Montrezl Harrell, Chris Jones, David Johnson and more. The Kentucky alumni team is led by Eric Bledsoe, Andrew and Aaron Harrison, and Willie Cauley-Stein.
The winner will advance to the TBT semifinals in Philadelphia, leaving them two victories from the $1 million winner-take-all prize in the 64-team, single elimination event. The loser is eliminated.
IMAGES | La Familia beats The Ville in an intense TBT matchup in Freedom Hall
It got so intense. It was nearly too intense. A wonderfully competitive game nearly ended with a totally unnecessary brawl. LaFamilia 70, The Ville 61.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Nate Sestina rises up for one of his six three-pointers in La Familia's TBT win over The Ville in Fredom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
The Ville's Peyton Siva fires up the crowd during a TBT loss to La Familia in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
The Ville coach Reece Gaines during a TBT loss to La Familia in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Chris Paul was courtside for La Familia's TBT win over The Ville in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Chinanu Onuaku shoots an underhand free-throw in The Ville's TBT loss to La Familia in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Willie Cauley-Stein reacts to one of his first-half three-pointers in La Familia's TBT win over The Ville in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
La Familia coach Tyer Ulis during La Familia's win over The Ville in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
The Ville's David Johnson tries to drive against Kellan Grady in La Familia's TBT win in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Scenes from La Familia's TBT victory over The Ville in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Chris Jones shouts instructions during La Fmilia's TBT victory over The Ville in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Players from La Familia and The Ville react after an early game scuffle in La Familia's TBT win in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Russ Smith drives the lane in The Ville's TBT loss to La Familia in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Peyton Siva looks to drive in The Ville's TBT loss to La Familia in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Russ Smith drives into traffic in The Ville's TBT loss to La Familia in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Peyton Siva waits to be introduced before The Ville's TBT loss to La FaMilia in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Nate Sestinia is introduced before La Familia's TBT win over The Ville in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Scenes from La Familia's TBT victory over The Ville in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
The Ville's Chris Jones reacts after La Familia's TBT victory in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Nate Sestina throws the "L's down" to the crowd after La Familia's TBT vidtory over The Ville in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Andrew Harrison hits the game-winner for La Familia in its TBT win over The Ville in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Eric Bledsoe dishes out the game-winning assist in La Familia's TBT win over The Ville in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Eric Bledsoe drives on Russ Smith in La Familia's TBT win over The Ville in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Scenes from La Familia's TBT victory over The Ville in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Andrew Harrison trips over Russ Smith in La Familia's win over The Ville in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Kerem Kanter drives on Chinanu Onuaku during La Familia's TBT win over The Ville in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
The Ville's Chris Jones reacts to some contact in La Familia's TBT win in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Scenes from La Familia's TBT victory over The Ville in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
La Familia huddles around a referee in its TBT win over The Ville in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Drew Franklin of Kentucky Sports Radio enjoys the cheers of Kentucky fans in La Familia's win over The Ville in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Nate Sestina reacts to one of his six three-pointers iin La Familia's TBT win over The Ville in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Scenes from La Familia's TBT victory over The Ville in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Chris Dowe looks to pass in The Ville's TBT loss to La Familia in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Chris Jones fights off Andrew Harrison in The Ville's TBT loss to La Familia in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Russ Smith goes up in the lane during The Ville's TBT loss to La Familia in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
David Johnson drives during The Ville's TBT loss to La Familia in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Louisvilel athletic director Josh Heird and women's basketball coach Jeff Walz watch La Familia's TBT win over The Ville in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
The Ville and La Familia set a TBT attendance record in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Scenes from La Familia's TBT victory over The Ville in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Coach Reece Gaines prepares to talk to his team during its TBT loss to La Familia in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
The Ville's Chinanu Onuaku pulls down one of his game-high 22 rebounds in a TBT loss to La Familia in Freedom Hall.
- ERIC CRAWFORD
Siva joined WDRB in studio Monday morning, confident the game will be a uniquely raucous atmosphere.
"They can expect us to play with a lot of passion and play hard and hopefully do what we have to do to get a win," he said.
TBT has been viewed in more than 180 countries around the world. Alumni teams have won TBT’s championship the past four summers, with teams representing Ohio State, Marquette, Syracuse, and the University of Buffalo taking home the $1M prize between 2019-2022. TBT is also the home of the Elam Ending, the alternate ending to games where teams play to a target score. The Elam Ending was adopted by the NBA for its All-Star Game beginning in 2022, and is now being used in G League games as part of their overtime format.
Siva said seeing his kids watch him play in front of the Louisville crowd is special.
"We lived over in Europe for quite a bit, and they didn't ... get to see what I meant to the city and what the city means to me," he said Monday.
Jordan Sucher, general manager of The Ville, believes the final attendance count Monday night will be between 13,000 and 15,000. The game will air nationally on FS1, with David Padgett, another former Cardinal, working as an analyst.
Related Stories:
- How To Watch | La Familia vs. The Ville for spot in TBT semifinals
- BOZICH | The Ville chases TBT's $1 million prize -- with Rick Pitino in their U of L corner
- BOZICH | The Ville secures game against La Familia with 83-68 TBT win over Team DRC
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