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Kentucky Alumni Take Down Kansas Alumni 78-65 to Advance to TBT’s $2 Million Championship Game

By
Stephen Patrick
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Photo Cred: Kentucky

La Familia (Kentucky Alumni) defended its home court Wednesday night, defeating JHX Hoops (Kansas Alumni) 78-65 at Historic Memorial Coliseum to capture the TBT Alumni Championship and advance to Sunday’s $2 million Championship Game. Kentucky will now host the winner of the Las Vegas Open Bracket Championship at 2 p.m. ET on FOX with the winner-takes-all prize on the line.

Archie Goodwin continued his dominant tournament run, pouring in a game-high 28 points while adding five rebounds and three assists. Through his three games played, the former Kentucky guard is averaging 26.7 points per game, the highest mark in TBT this summer. Willie Cauley-Stein and Darryl Morsell each added 10 points, while Chris Coffey controlled the glass with eight rebounds off the bench.

Coming off an emotional Alumni Semifinal victory in Wichita less than 48 hours earlier, JHX Hoops opened the night with the early momentum, racing out to an 8-4 advantage behind Billy Preston and Jacob Hanna. Kentucky quickly responded, however, using a 14-2 run sparked by Goodwin and Cauley-Stein to seize control before taking a 37-30 lead into halftime.

La Familia took complete command after the break. Kentucky outscored Kansas 21-7 in the third quarter, turning a seven-point halftime edge into a commanding 58-37 advantage entering the fourth. Goodwin repeatedly converted in transition, while Kentucky’s defense held JHX Hoops to just 30 percent shooting for the game and 5-of-29 from three-point range.

Kansas fought until the final whistle, trimming the deficit during the Elam Ending to within 11 points, but Goodwin fittingly delivered the game-winning basket with a step-back jumper to send the Kentucky faithful into celebration.

Goodwin finished with 28 points on 9-of-17 shooting, including five three-pointers. Cauley-Stein was perfect from the field, scoring 10 points on 5-for-5 shooting while adding six rebounds and a block. Morsell contributed 10 points, six rebounds, three assists and two blocks, and Coffey chipped in nine points and eight rebounds as La Familia shot 46.4 percent from the floor and received 22 points from its bench.

Billy Preston paced JHX Hoops with 15 points and nine rebounds, while Frank Mason III added 13 points, five rebounds and three assists. Zeke Mayo finished with 12 points and six rebounds, but Kansas was unable to overcome its cold shooting night after winning three consecutive elimination games to reach the Alumni Championship.

With the victory, La Familia advances to the TBT $2 Million Championship Game on Sunday, Aug. 2, at Historic Memorial Coliseum. Kentucky will face the winner of Thursday night’s Las Vegas Open Bracket Championship between Davis Steel and The Mecca, with tipoff set for 2 p.m. ET on FOX.

Jameson® Announces Multiyear Partnership as the Official Spirits Sponsor of the National Football League

By
Stephen Patrick
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0

NEW YORK — July 30, 2026 — Jameson, the world’s no. 1 Irish whiskey, today announced a multiyear partnership designation as the Official Spirits Sponsor of the National Football League. The collaboration marks a major expansion of the brand’s cultural commitment to sports fandom, bringing the smoothness of Jameson to millions of football fans as they gather weekly with friends in neighborhood bars across the country starting this fall.

The global partnership gives Jameson exclusive marketing rights and designations across the league’s most prominent marquee events. Jameson will take center stage as the Presenting Sponsor of the high-profile Super Bowl Tailgate Concert, embedding the brand directly into the ultimate pregame ritual of the world’s biggest sporting spectacle. Additionally, Jameson will introduce custom, on-site fan engagements and branded bar spaces at the interactive Super Bowl Experience fan festival, the NFL Draft and key league moments throughout the year.

“Football is a sport driven by passion, ritual and unforgettable community connections – values that lie at the very heart of Jameson,” said Colin Kavanagh, chief marketing officer of Pernod Ricard North America. “As the league’s popularity continues to expand globally, we’re thrilled to step in as the Official Spirits Sponsor of the NFL. Whether you’re raising a glass at a hometown tailgate, watching from a local neighborhood bar, or tuning in from across the globe, Jameson is proud to elevate the fan experience and toast to every major moment of the season.”

Beyond major domestic events, the multiyear agreement carries vast international implications, securing official global league rights (excluding Brazil and Mexico) to spread Jameson’s welcoming Irish spirit. With the NFL set to play a record-breaking nine games across four continents, seven countries and eight stadiums, Jameson will serve as official sponsor across four NFL International Games per year, deploying premium on-site activations, in-stadium ribbon board features, pitch-side LED boards and elite hospitality footprints to engage with growing international gridiron fanbases.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Jameson into the NFL family as our Official Spirits Sponsor,” said Renie Anderson, executive vice president and chief revenue officer of the NFL. “Jameson is a world-class brand known for bringing people together, making them the perfect partner to enrich our fan engagement. From the excitement and energy of the Super Bowl to the global reach of our International Games, this partnership will help connect fans and create new experiences all around the world.”

The collaboration will also come to life across broadcast, digital and social channels, utilizing custom media integration and footage in partnership with NFL Films to deliver storytelling designed specifically for the modern football fan. Furthermore, the league-wide partnership will foster the expansion and growth of existing NFL team partnerships – anchoring localized fan opportunities, co-branded consumer sweepstakes and dedicated neighborhood activations directly within key markets including the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Through premium ticket access packages, legendary behind-the-scenes stadium tours and custom hospitality, Jameson is geared up to deliver 20 unique consumer experiences across the NFL Scouting Combine, NFL Draft and the Super Bowl via sweepstakes, ensuring the faithful fan is always positioned at the very center of the action.

Fans are encouraged to follow @JamesonUS and visit the official Jameson digital channels to stay updated on upcoming NFL sweepstakes, localized market events and signature matchday cocktail recipes throughout the season.

Kentucky Alumni Rally Past Syracuse Alumni 70-66, Will Host Alumni Championship on Wednesday

By
Stephen Patrick
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0
Photo Cred: Syracuse

La Familia (Kentucky Alumni) overcame a nine-point second-half deficit to defeat Boeheim’s Army (Syracuse Alumni) 70-66 on Sunday afternoon at Historic Memorial Coliseum, advancing to the TBT Alumni Championship Game. Kentucky will return to its home floor Wednesday night to face the winner of JHX Hoops (Kansas Alumni) and the AfterShocks (Wichita State Alumni) at 7:00 p.m. on FS1.

Kentucky raced out to an early advantage behind Andrew Harrison, who scored the game’s first seven points. La Familia connected on four of its first five attempts from beyond the arc, while Willie Cauley-Stein set the tone defensively with two early blocks, helping the home side take a 20-14 lead after the opening quarter.

Boeheim’s Army found its rhythm in the second quarter behind Ty Nichols, who provided an immediate spark off the bench. Nichols scored 18 points before halftime, helping the Orange alumni trim Kentucky’s advantage to 39-36 at the break.

Boeheim's Army vs. La Familia in the TBT: Box score - syracuse.com

Photo Cred: Syracuse

Syracuse carried that momentum into the second half. Elijah Hughes and Buddy Boeheim connected on back-to-back three-pointers during a 14-3 run that gave Boeheim’s Army its first lead of the afternoon. Syracuse stretched the advantage to as many as nine points before Kentucky began working its way back into the game, eventually entering the Elam Ending trailing 61-58.

With the Target Score set at 70, La Familia took control. Kentucky opened the Elam Ending on a 9-2 run to turn a three-point deficit into a 67-63 lead. Boeheim’s Army pulled back within striking distance, but Kahlil Whitney crashed the offensive glass and threw down the game-winning putback dunk to send Kentucky into the Alumni Championship.

Archie Goodwin delivered a dominant performance for La Familia, finishing with a game-high 30 points, six rebounds and five assists while knocking down five three-pointers. Darryl Morsell recorded an 11-point, 12-rebound double-double and added five assists, while Cauley-Stein contributed seven points, six rebounds, three blocks and three steals.

BA eliminated from TBT with crushing loss to La Familia

Photo Cred: Syracuse

Nichols led Boeheim’s Army with 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting off the bench. Hughes added 16 points and seven rebounds, while Buddy Boeheim finished with 14 points and three three-pointers.

With the victory, La Familia advances to the TBT Alumni Championship Game, which will be played Wednesday, July 29, at 7:00 p.m. ET on FS1 at Historic Memorial Coliseum. Kentucky will face the winner of Monday night’s Alumni Semifinal between Kansas and Wichita State Alumni.

KENTUCKY ALUMNI OUTLASTS LOUISVILLE ALUMNI 63-57 TO WIN DECISIVE GAME 3, WILL HOST ALUMNI SEMIFINALS ON SUNDAY

By
Stephen Patrick
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0

La Familia (Kentucky Alumni) outlasted The Ville (Louisville Alumni) 63-57 Wednesday night in a decisive Game 3 to win their best-of-three first-round TBT series. They earned the right to host the Alumni Semifinals on Sunday afternoon at Historic Memorial Coliseum. The victory capped a hard-fought rivalry series that saw Kentucky take Game 1 in Lexington before Louisville answered with a commanding 20-point victory at Freedom Hall on Monday to force a winner-take-all showdown.

The intensity of one of college basketball’s greatest rivalries was on display from the opening tip, with both teams trading physical play throughout the night. Louisville controlled much of the first half behind Montrezl Harrell, who scored 12 first-half points while dominating the glass, helping The Ville build a 30-25 halftime advantage. Kentucky stayed within striking distance thanks to the interior presence of Willie Cauley-Stein, who recorded eight points and six rebounds before the break.

The momentum completely shifted after halftime. Kentucky opened the third quarter with back-to-back three-pointers to reclaim its first lead since the opening minutes before closing the period on a 14-3 run. La Familia outscored The Ville 20-10 in the quarter to erase the halftime deficit and carry a 45-40 lead into the fourth. Kentucky entered the Elam Ending with a 55-51 advantage and the target score set at 63.

Louisville battled back to keep the game within reach, but Archie Goodwin, making his series debut after missing the first two games, delivered the biggest basket of the night. Goodwin knocked down a deep two-pointer to reach the target score and send Kentucky into the Alumni Bracket semifinals. Goodwin led all scorers with 22 points on 8-of-18 shooting in his first appearance of the series.

Darryl Morsell added 20 points and five rebounds while shooting an efficient 9-for-13 from the field, and Willie Cauley-Stein recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds as La Familia shot 49.1% from the floor. Harrell paced Louisville with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Trey Lewis added 16 points, including three three-pointers.

Alex Matthews chipped in 10 points and grabbed six offensive rebounds, but The Ville struggled offensively as a team, shooting just 36.7% from the field and 19.4% from beyond the arc. With the victory, La Familia advances to the Alumni Semifinals, where it will host the winner of Boeheim’s Army (Syracuse Alumni) and Hall In (Seton Hall Alumni) on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. ET on FOX. Tickets for Sunday’s semifinal matchup are still available and can be purchased HERE.

George Pickens Earns First NFL Top 100 Selection After Career Year with Cowboys

By
James McCaffrey
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0
Photo Cred: Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens has been named to the NFL’s Top 100 Players list for the first time in his career, coming in at No. 66. The 25-year-old recently signed the franchise tag after he and the Cowboys’ front office were unable to reach an agreement on a long-term contract extension following a career-best season. In his first year with Dallas after being acquired in a trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pickens recorded career highs with 93 receptions, 1,429 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns.

The Dallas Cowboys have a George Pickens problem, as expected. And they couldn't be happier - DLLS

Photo Cred: DLLS Sports

His previous personal bests were 63 catches, 1,140 yards, and five touchdowns. Pickens showed plenty of potential during his three seasons in Pittsburgh, but he never had consistent quarterback play and developed a reputation for immaturity after several on-field incidents resulted in costly penalties. Pairing him with quarterback Dak Prescott allowed Pickens to thrive, as he surprisingly outproduced Dallas’ longtime No. 1 receiver and three-time All-Pro, CeeDee Lamb.

With Prescott and Lamb already accounting for significant portions of the Cowboys’ salary cap, it remains to be seen whether the team will be able to re-sign Pickens after this season. Dallas already made a blockbuster move by trading superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons before last season after the two sides were unable to agree on a contract that matched his market value.

Perhaps Jerry Jones and the Cowboys’ front office could make another bold decision by trading Lamb and using the resulting salary cap space to sign Pickens to a long-term deal. Lamb is two years older than Pickens and battled ankle injuries and a concussion last season, while finishing with his lowest totals in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns since his rookie campaign. Either way, Dallas should once again field one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses if the team can stay healthy.

George Pickens Has Delivered What the Cowboys Expected. Can Dallas Keep Him Around? - D Magazine

Photo Cred: D Magazine

The Cowboys finished sixth in total offense last season but posted just a 7-9-1 record and missed the playoffs because their defense ranked last in the league. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer enters his second season with an offense loaded with talent. If Dallas’ defense can improve from the league’s worst to even slightly below average, the Cowboys should have a legitimate chance to win at least 10 games and could find themselves competing for the NFC East title.

FIRST LOOK: PAYCOR STADIUM RENOVATIONS ELEVATE FAN EXPERIENCE

By
Stephen Patrick
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0
Photo Cred: Visit Cincy
Improvements to Paycor Stadium continue with major upgrades for the 2026 season. While recent years have seen ongoing upgrades to public spaces including concession stands and video displays, this year’s improvements will be the most extensive since Paycor Stadium opened in 2000. The new lease signed last year between Hamilton County and the Bengals launched significant upgrades that will span several years, and “Phase One” of the multi-year renovation project will be substantially complete ahead of Cincinnati Music Festival and the Bengals’ 2026 season.
Phase One renovations have exceeded expectations, and Paycor Stadium is positioned well for future improvements. Phase One projects prioritized work that will have a wide impact, benefiting fans throughout the stadium. Key improvements include renovated restrooms, upgraded concessions, transformed club lounges, reimagined suites, redesigned Bengals Pro Shop, modernized scoreboard control room, improved wayfinding, and core infrastructure improvements.
Warm Construction, an Official Builder of the Cincinnati Bengals, executed many of the renovation projects including concessions, club lounges, suites, and the Bengals Pro Shop. The multi-year renovation project reflects the shared commitment of Hamilton County, the Bengals, and the stadium management team to responsibly invest in Paycor Stadium, ensuring it remains a premier NFL venue while supporting economic activity along Cincinnati’s riverfront.
The investment also strengthens The Banks, which generates more than $2.5 billion in annual economic impact, including more than $1 billion annually driven by the Bengals. The capital expenditures for renovations provide incremental economic impact in the form of jobs and earnings along with fiscal impact.
WHAT FANS CAN EXPECT IN 2026
  • Renovated Restrooms: All restrooms were renovated with updated lighting, flooring, walls, and ceilings to provide a brighter, more contemporary experience. Nursing rooms were renovated to accommodate mothers and young children.
  • Upgraded Concessions: Concession areas on the canopy level were upgraded with a focus on speed of service and expanded food and beverage offerings. Grab-and-go “Go Route” locations and self-checkout kiosks provide a new layout with increased concourse space for fans.
  • Transformed Club Lounges: Club lounges were renovated and expanded to feature additional interior and exterior seating, new bars, enhanced food and beverage offerings, and more points of sale to increase speed of service. The spaces were redesigned to offer a more open layout for fans to enjoy natural light and views. The lounge aesthetic is a modern take on the jungle, featuring floor-to-ceiling copper tiger stripe columns and a jungle leaf flooring. New and additional escalators and stairs were added to both club and suite entrances to help fans enter and exit the stadium.
  • Reimagined Suites: Every existing suite was redesigned with expanded lounge areas, updated restrooms, new furniture, countertops, and an enhanced food and beverage experience including full-size refrigerators.
  • Redesigned Bengals Pro Shop: Now open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Bengals Pro Shop was reconfigured to improve traffic flow and increase merchandise selection. The renovation includes new flooring, updated interior finishes, expanded women’s and children’s sections, and additional self-checkout kiosks.
  • Modernized Scoreboard Control Room: The control room powering video and audio throughout the stadium was expanded to handle new technology and future growth. An IP-based 4K system was installed with additional cameras and replay feeds to increase the fan experience on gameday.
  • Improved Wayfinding: Over 1,000 new, larger and more accessible signs were installed throughout the stadium to make it easier for fans to find seating sections, amenities, and other key locations.
  • Core Infrastructure Improvements: Essential infrastructure work is ongoing, including concrete repairs, waterproofing, and passenger elevator modernization, to help ensure the stadium remains in top condition.
WHAT FANS CAN EXPECT IN 2027
Renovations will continue in 2027 with large-scale projects that include adding escalators, replacing stadium seats, and a new, larger videoboard featuring enhanced technology.

Montrezl Harrell’s 35 Points Powers Louisville For Winner-Take-All Game 3

By
Stephen Patrick
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0

Montrezl Harrell delivered a dominant performance Monday night, pouring in a TBT career-high 35 points to lead The Ville (Louisville Alumni) to an 82-62 victory over La Familia (Kentucky Alumni) in Game 2 of their best-of-three first-round series at Freedom Hall.
With the win, Louisville evened the series at one game apiece and forced a decisive Game 3, which will be played at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday night at Historic Memorial Coliseum in Lexington with a spot in the Alumni Bracket semifinals on the line.

CRAWFORD | Harrell's 35 lead The Ville to TBT rout of La Familia; Matthews' dunk is exclamation | Sports | wdrb.com

Photo Cred: The State of Louisville

Needing a win to keep its $2 million hopes alive after Saturday’s 72-68 loss in Lexington, The Ville turned in a commanding performance in front of its home crowd to even the series.
Kentucky Alumni opened the game by taking a 15-12 lead after the first quarter, but the momentum quickly shifted in the second period as Louisville caught fire offensively, ripping off a 15-0 run and holding La Familia to just seven points in the quarter. The Ville outscored Kentucky 24-7 over the second 9 minutes to take a commanding 36-22 halftime lead.

Louisville never allowed Kentucky back into the contest in the second half. Harrell dominated from start to finish, helping The Ville build its lead to as many as 26 points before putting the finishing touches on the 82-62 victory with the game-winning basket in the Elam Ending. Harrell’s 35-point outburst set a new single-game scoring record in The Ville’s TBT history.

He finished an efficient 14-for-16 from the field while adding a game-leading eight rebounds. David Johnson and Alex Matthews each scored 14 points, while Malik Williams contributed seven rebounds as Louisville shot 50% (31-62) from the floor. Andrew Harrison led La Familia with 19 points, while Chris Coffey added 14 points and six rebounds. Kentucky struggled to find its offensive rhythm, shooting just 33.9 percent from the field.

Kentucky basketball's La Familia drops TBT 2026 Game 2 in Louisville

Photo Cred: Courier Journal

The Ville controlled the game in nearly every statistical category, out rebounding La Familia 43-30 while doubling Kentucky in points in the paint, 40-20. Louisville also held a 20-7 advantage in bench scoring and converted 15 second-chance points. The rivalry now heads back to Lexington for a winner-take-all Game 3 on Wednesday at 6 p.m. ET at Historic Memorial Coliseum. The winner will advance to the Alumni Bracket quarterfinals to face the winner of Syracuse Alumni vs. Seton Hall Alumni.

Brian Barrio introduced to packed house at FGCU’s The Boardwalk

By
Stephen Patrick
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0
Photo Cred: FGCU

Eagles new Director of Athletics ‘fired up’ for what is to come

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

  • Brian Barrio was introduced as FGCU’s new Director of Athletics on Monday.
  • Formerly an AD at UMBC and Central Connecticut State, Barrio brings experience to the chair as the fourth AD in FGCU history.
  • He becomes the first FGCU AD to also serve on the President’s Cabinet.

FORT MYERS, Fla. — It was standing room only at The Boardwalk on the campus of Florida Gulf Coast University Monday afternoon. A packed house was on hand as Brian Barrio, the newly-minted FGCU Director of Athletics, was formally introduced to Southwest Florida.

Barrio, the fourth athletic director in FGCU history, was introduced by Kitty Green, the university’s Vice President for University Advancement.

“Just being on campus for a few days, I can feel the pride everywhere that our stakeholders have for FGCU,” Barrio said. “Our coaches, staff, student-athletes, fans, and donors are all proud of what they are a part of. I am fired up for what we are going to accomplish together,” he finished.

Barrio, who spent four years at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) before making his way to Southwest Florida, stressed the importance of success in all areas during his address to Eagle supporters. He oversaw 11 America East Conference championships with the Retrievers, while the UMBC athletic department had a 996 overall APR score, with 10 teams posting perfect 1,000 marks. Accolades similar to the FGCU department that he will lead that won the 2024-25 ASUN All-Sports Trophy while notching a 994 department wide APR with 11 teams earning perfect 1,000 marks.

When asked how he would measure success at FGCU, Barrio said there were three pillars: “We want our student-athletes to graduate and be proud of being from FGCU. We want to win championships. And we want our community to know that we are their Southwest Florida home team.”

Green announced that the university has added the Director of Athletics position to the president’s cabinet and noted that, after the group met with Barrio, the cabinet was “confident in leading FGCU Athletics into its next chapter.” Barrio echoed his excitement about being a part of the cabinet, saying, “The cabinet has a clear plan, vision, and growth mindset for the university and FGCU Athletics.”

Barrio acknowledged that there were obvious challenges in today’s ever-evolving collegiate athletics landscape but also showed his willingness to take the challenge head-on, saying, “We are going to be resourceful and relentless in figuring out this landscape. There is a good foundation that has been set here, but we are going to look up in a few years and say, FGCU is further than anyone else thought possible,” Barrio said to the Eagle faithful.

After wrapping up the press conference portion of the afternoon, Barrio was greeted by FGCU fans, donors, and media members to kick off what the Eagles hope is a bright new chapter of FGCU Athletics.

The FGCU athletics year begins on Aug. 12, when the Eagles women’s soccer team hosts Houston at 7 p.m. at Pickering Field.

Season tickets for the 2026-27 campaign are now on sale for all sports and are available online at FGCUtickets.com or at the Alico Arena box office.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on the Eagles, follow FGCU Athletics on Instagram, X (Twitter) and Facebook, and visit FGCUathletics.com.

La Familia and The Ville Announce Official Rosters for TBT 2026

By
Stephen Patrick
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0

Best-Of-Three Series Between Kentucky and Louisville Alumni Begins July 18th

LEXINGTON, Ky. July 15, 2026 – La Familia, the Kentucky alumni team, and The Ville, the Louisville alumni team, today announced their official rosters ahead of their best-of-three series.

La Familia is organized by former Kentucky guard Twany Beckham (2011-13), and coached by former Kentucky forward Jon Hood (2009-13). La Familia’s official roster features:

  • Kahlil Whitney (2019-20)

  • Willie Cauley-Stein (2012-15)

  • Marcus Lee (2013-16)

  • Aaron Harrison (2013-15)

  • Archie Goodwin (2012–13)

  • DeAndre Liggins (2008–11)

  • Chris Coffey (Georgetown College)

  • Darryl Morsell (Maryland/Marquette)

  • Sean McNeil (West Virginia/Ohio State)

  • James Mainor-Bell (Villanova)

Reid Travis and Quade Green will no longer be able to join the team. Archie Goodwin will join the team beginning with Game 2.

 

“We exhaust all efforts getting guys committed to play and securing their travel plans to Lexington,” said La Familia general manager Twany Beckham. “Unfortunately, things happen that are totally out of our team’s control. The fortunate thing is we’ve put together a group that’s very talented and will be ready to compete and win on Saturday.”

The Ville is organized by Russ Smith and coached by former Cardinals guard Michael Baffour (2012-13).

The Ville’s official roster includes:

  • Jae’Lyn Withers (2020-23)

  • David Johnson (2019–21)

  • Malik Williams (2017-22)

  • Ray Spalding (2015–18)

  • Trey Lewis (2015-16)

  • Jaylen Johnson (2014-17)

  • Chris Jones (2013-14)

  • Montrezl Harrell (2012-15)

  • Angel Nunez (2011-13)

  • Russ Smith (2010-14)

  • Alex Matthews (University of Texas Permian Basin)

Edgar Sosa will no longer be able to join The Ville due to the birth of his child. Malik Williams will join the team following the conclusion of NBA Summer League.

“We worked tirelessly to build a strong roster this year and incorporate multiple alumni from different years,” said The Ville general manager/guard Russ Smith. “Our focus was on building a team that plays well together and can win games! We can’t wait to hit the court and deliver for our fans!”

As part of the best-of-three series, both will have a chance to host at least one home game. The first game of the series will take place at Historic Memorial Coliseum in Lexington Saturday, July 18, at 12 pm ET, and will be televised live on FOX. Fans are encouraged to wear all white for the game.

Game 2 will be played at Freedom Hall in Louisville on Monday, July 20, at 7 pm ET, and will be televised live on FS1. A decisive Game Three (if necessary) will be played at Historic Memorial Coliseum Wednesday, July 22 at 6 pm ET, and will be televised live on FS1.

Tickets are still available for both games in Lexington and Louisville at TBTHoops.com.

About The Basketball Tournament
The home of the Elam Ending®, The Basketball Tournament has grown from a unique idea among friends to one of the most exciting and engaging events on the summer sports calendar, with national exposure, social media buzz and regional championships across the country – culminating in a winner-take-all $1 million game. Every year it attracts some of the best players in the world. For more information on TBT’s eleventh season, visit www.thetournament.com

Aaron Donald Comeback? Rams Fans Have Reason to Believe

By
James McCaffrey
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0
Feb 13, 2022; Inglewood, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) celebrates after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals during Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Former Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald was spotted working out at the team’s practice facility the other day. Ever since Los Angeles made the blockbuster deal to bring in Myles Garrett over a month ago, there has been consistent speculation. Sources close to some of the players suggesting Donald could return to the team and end his two-year retirement. This is not the first time retirement rumors have surfaced.

Donald’s decision to retire was surprising. He did not deal with any major or recurring injuries. The future HOF was only 32 years old on a Super Bowl contender. Throughout his retirement, there were rumors each season that he could return for a playoff run, but that never happened. Donald was seen on video walking across the practice field in what appeared to be workout gear.

Latest On Rams, DT Aaron Donald

Photo Cred: Pro Football Rumors

If he does return, the Rams would undoubtedly become even bigger Super Bowl favorites. Their roster already looks like the best in the league on paper. Donald earned his eighth career First-Team All-Pro selection the last time he played in the NFL. At minimum, an impactful rotational piece on the defensive line if he is unable to return to his elite form.

With the upgrades the Rams made to their roster this offseason, the only things that appear capable of preventing them from making another Super Bowl run are staying healthy and maintaining consistency throughout the season. If Aaron Donald decides to come out of retirement, Los Angeles could have one of the most dominant defenses the NFL has seen in recent years.

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