La Familia Survives TBT Thriller, Advances to Sweet 16 with Dramatic Win Over War Ready
As The Basketball Tournament (TBT) advances, La Familia — the Kentucky Wildcats alumni squad — clinched a nail-biting 80–76 victory over Auburn alumni team War Ready on Sunday afternoon, preserving their run in the Lexington Regional and sending Memorial Coliseum into a frenzy .
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🔥 Recap: A Game That Lived Up to the Hype
Opening Surge
La Familia wasted no time asserting control. Behind scorching shooting, they surged to a 26–18 first-quarter lead. Their efficiency remained strong at halftime, shooting over 51%, and stretching the margin to 44–36 .
War Ready Responds
Auburn’s alumni answered back aggressively in Q3, chipping away at the deficit. By the end of the period, War Ready had narrowed the gap to a mere 64–60, injecting new urgency and intensity into the matchup .
Frenzied Finale
With the Elam Ending in play and the target score set at 79, the closing minutes became electric. The score reached ties and near-ties—moments that kept fans on edge. Tensions boiled over with multiple technical fouls (seven in total), adding to the electricity inside the Coliseum .
Defensive Heroics
Key defensive plays sealed the win. Kahlil Whitney snatched a clutch steal, leading to Archie Goodwin’s game-winning runner that hit off the glass to reach 80 and clinch the victory .
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🏀 Key Performers
Archie Goodwin: Led La Familia with 16 points, along with 6 assists and 4 rebounds. He delivered the clutch layup in the Elam Ending to seal the deal .
Kahlil Whitney: Provided a stirring defensive stop with a late-game steal that set up Goodwin’s decisive score .
Supporting Cast: Doron Lamb, Kerem Kanter, Andrew and Aaron Harrison all chipped in with crucial plays, assists, and rebounds, contributing to the team’s composure when the margin tightened .
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🚨 Memorable Moments
1. Fan frenzy peaked with a raucous “dog-pile” celebration after Goodwin’s shot—witnessed even by current Wildcats players in attendance .
2. The atmosphere intensified with technical fouls on both sides—Andrew Harrison and War Ready’s LaRon Smith were penalized, showing how high the emotions ran .
3. National College Hoops coverage captured the emotional heroics: “LA FAMILIA WINS IT! ARCHIE GOODWIN WITH THE BUCKET” .
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🏟️ Home Court Advantage Secured
With The Ville (Louisville alumni) eliminated earlier in the day, La Familia inherits hosting duties for the remainder of the Lexington Regional. As long as they keep winning, they’ll enjoy home-court advantages at Memorial Coliseum—a massive boost for morale and fan support .
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⏭️ What’s Next: Sweet 16 Showdown
La Familia’s next opponent is Eberlein Drive, tipped to be one of the sharpest teams in the region, with a roster stacked with seasoned professional players. The showdown is scheduled for Tuesday night at 6 PM ET on FS2 inside the Coliseum .
A Sea of Blue’s preview flags this game as a heavyweight battle, given Eberlein Drive’s pro-level talent .
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🔍 Closing Analysis
Defensive Grit: The matchup showcased La Familia’s defensive identity. They forced critical turnovers and used fast breaks to stay in rhythm—echoing how they handled a blowout win against Stroh’s Squad in Round 1 .
Archie Goodwin’s Leadership: Goodwin has emerged as the team’s go-to closer in the biggest moments. His Elam Ending dominance proves he won’t flinch under pressure .
Veteran Impact: The team’s experience—hinging on former NCAA elite performers—shone brightest when the pressure hit. The technicals and intensity didn’t faze them .
Community Support: With the current Kentucky Wildcats players in attendance, the sense of unity is palpable—a boost that could propel them forward in the region .
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🎯 Final Word
La Familia showed they can handle adversity and thrive under pressure. From commanding the first half to weathering a furious comeback and closing it out, they’ve demonstrated resilience and cohesion. With home court locked and momentum on their side, Tuesday’s matchup with Eberlein Drive presents the perfect stage to continue their championship march—and keep the dream of a $1 million prize alive .
Keep an eye on Goodwin, Whitney, and the seasoned Wildcats alumni—they have the experience to match any opposition. It’s game time. Go La Familia.
