This summer, are any supporters of Louisville men’s basketball up for another trip down memory lane?
Freedom Hall will play host to a regional round of The Basketball Tournament, a 64-team competition with $1 million up for grabs, for the second year in a row. Also on the court will be The Ville, a group made up primarily of former Cardinals.
The dates of the regional are July 19–24. In a quarterfinal game on July 30, the winner will take on the victor of a regional tournament sponsored by a Kentucky alumni team at Rupp Arena.
Although tickets are not currently available, fans can register on TBT’s official website to be placed on a waiting.
Leading players Peyton Siva, Russ Smith, and Chane Behanan led The Ville, a No. 2 seed, to the regional final at Freedom Hall last summer. It was four wins short of the $1 million grand prize after missing five straight opportunities to make game-winning shots and losing to Gutter Cats, 64-62.
After enduring the worst season the Cards have had in the history of the programme, U of L fans couldn’t get enough of the action. At 5,463, the Ville’s TBT debut attracted the fourth-largest audience in the tournament’s history.
According to a press statement, the tournament’s founder and CEO, Jon Mugar, expressed his excitement about returning to Louisville this summer. “There was a boisterous energy at Freedom Hall that brought back memories of the Boston Garden in the 1980s.” In addition, The Ville’s Round 3 match in Louisville received a record-breaking 12.4 share. All bets are on Louisville!”
Siva is coming back to The Ville for a second chance. This year, eight-year NBA veteran Montrezl Harrell will be joining him.
In a statement, Siva stated, “Playing at Freedom Hall last year was incredibly special.” “It seemed like a real Louisville home game atmosphere. I’m thrilled that TBT will be making a comeback to Louisville, and I can’t wait for Cardinals supporters to join us on yet another amazing journey this summer.”
