The basketball mood among the Louisville Cardinals fanbase is decidedly high going into the dog days of summer. Raucous crowds at Freedom Hall have cheered The Ville TBT team to victory twice. While the play and atmosphere did not match the last Louisville game at Freedom Hall (Syracuse goes down!), it did offer a ray of sunshine to beleaguered Louisville basketball fans.
On Saturday, The Ville fought off a spirited UKnighted squad by nine points. The Ville squad jumped out to a quick lead after the hype of player introductions. The first half was back and forth. UKnighted could not duplicate the 50% first-half three-point shooting into the second half. Chris Jones waved bye-bye to UKnighted with an acrobatic jumper in "Elam ending" time. Fans were hyped at the beginning of the fourth quarter when a front-row fan unfurled a replica 2013 Championship banner.
The Jeff Brohm clan, Gorgi Deng, and many of Coach Pat Kelsey's current squad were in attendance and drawing loud ovations. The group was cajoled into leading a CARDS cheer by some nearby fans. Peyton Siva did the same after the game. On Monday night Pat Kelsey and Donavan Mitchell joined the crowd!
Sideline Cancer controlled the tempo and backboards led by Jermaine Marrow. The Ville sidelined the Sideline Cancer team on two free throws by Montrezl Harrell during the "Elam ending." David Johnson and Russ Smith had 34 points between them. Harrell was apologetic in a post on X following the game.
Man I apologize card nation but aye survive and advance but I will never give you guys another stinky performance like that! Thanks for stink wit me card nation!
— َ (@monstatrezz) July 23, 2024
Up next for fans is a Wednesday game against Team DRC. There is a "dream" matchup looming if all goes to plan with a La Familia squad with some players from the "team who shall remain nameless."
This exciting July continues on the 30th with a matchup between Pat Kelsey's squad and the Bahamas Raw Talent Elite squad at Bahama Mar Hoops League. This is the first of two games. The second is against the University of Calgary Dinos on August 1. Fans will see a brand-new team in action for the first time.
Hold on tight because a mere 30 days later Louisville Football kicks off against Austin Peay.
July is hot for Louisville fans and we need all we can get!