Willie Cauley-Stein, left, and Kareem Kanter showed current UK players what the Louisville-Kentucky rivalry means during Monday's win in Freedom Hall. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky freshman guard Trent Noah was not surprised by the intensity between alumni teams from Kentucky and Louisville in Monday night’s TBT matchup in Louisville’s Freedom Hall won by La Familia, UK’s team of former all-star players.
Noah grew up in eastern Kentucky and played at Harlan County. However, most of his UK teammates that were with I’m at Freedom Hall Monday had no real concept of just how intense the UK-Louisville rivalry was.
“I definitely think that they were in shock a little bit,” Noah said Tuesday. “That’s just what Kentucky basketball is — and it’s on a smaller scale. I feel like whenever it gets to the season, it’s gonna be times 100. They’re super excited for it. It was super cool. It was a super cool experience last night.”
Even the skirmish/altercation after the win that even involved La Familia coach Tyler Ulis, who threw the L’s down sign once the issue starter, Coach Mark Pope’s Cats will host Louisville Dec. 24 at Rupp Arena.
BYU transfer Jaxson Robinson said it was “crazy” watching the game and how fans were out of their seats almost the entire game.
“It was a great experience, just seeing what it meant to the state of Kentucky,” he said. “So great game, great atmosphere, and I’m excited to get out there on the court.”
I asked Robinson Tuesday if that put into perspective for him how much passion there was for basketball in Kentucky if over 13,000 fans attended a 9 p.m. game in July between alumni teams?
“Man, it’s crazy. I’ve never seen anything like it. But, I mean, you can’t ask for anything better as a basketball athlete,” he said. “Makes me excited to go play any game.”
Dayton transfer Koby Brea loved what he saw in Freedom Hall.
“Just to be around that kind of environment and see how hectic and passionate our fans are in that rivalry. We’re competitors, we want to be a part of that. We know that any time we’re playing against competition like that, it’s gonna be a good game and that’s what we want to be a part of,” Brea said. “I think me and the rest of the group are super pumped for that.”
What about the extracurricular festivities after the game?
“I have no idea I went on the court, so I can’t speak on that,” a diplomatic Jackson said.
Did that type of intensity after the game surprise him?
“I know it’s a rivalry. I know words can be tossed around. Things can happen, but it’s basketball at the end of the day, so just always keep that in mind and not make things personal,” Robinson said.
One Response
Duke, Kansas, Michigan State, UCLA, North Carolina, Ohio State, and now Gonzaga are all heated Kentucky rivalries. Kentucky has dominated Louisville so that it’s an assumed win. In SEC play, Tennessee, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, and Vanderbilt are all big games. LSU, Texas A&M, and Mississippi State are always tough games. Texas and Oklahoma are sure to make the list. Even Missouri, South Carolina, Georgia, and Ole Miss bring their A game to play Kentucky. The Arkansas game(s) will no doubt become our most heated rivalry now that they are coached by The FRAUD. If a kid wants to take on the best then come to Kentucky. We play the top teams and are everybody’s Super Bowl.