In the opening round of The Basketball Tournament (TBT), No. 2 seed Louisville men’s basketball alumni team The Ville emerged victorious over No. 7 seeded Auburn alumni team, War Ready before a raucous Freedom Hall crowd. The final score was 91-67 in favor of The Ville.
From the outset, The Ville seemed to have a superior game strategy, shooting 49% from the field and dominating the rebounding column with a total of 38 rebounds, compared to War Ready’s 31. The Ville also demonstrated excellent passing with 18 assists and managed to keep their turnovers low at just 5. The team’s high scorer was #6, Russ Smith, who scored 21 points and provided some clutch plays in the final minutes of the game.
One crucial moment that defined the game was the final 3:58 when The Ville went on an 8-0 run and held War Ready scoreless. Smith showed exceptional skill, scoring a 3-pointer at the 3:58 mark, thereby increasing the lead and taking control of the game. This run also highlighted War Ready’s scoring drought of 3:58.
War Ready had a rough game, shooting only 46% from the field, with a disappointing 19% from beyond the arc. They were out-rebounded by The Ville and had three times as many turnovers. The standout player for War Ready was #3, Shaun Willett, who led the team with 17 points and 3 assists. Horace Spencer (#15) was dominant on the boards with 10 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome The Ville’s robust and balanced attack.
Throughout the match, both teams made several substitutions, adapting their strategies according to the game’s progression. However, it was clear that The Ville had the upper hand throughout, maintaining a lead for the majority of the game. Their largest lead was an impressive 24 points, achieved in the 4th quarter.
The Ville outplayed War Ready in nearly every aspect of the game, from shooting and rebounding to maintaining fewer turnovers. The standout players were Smith from The Ville and Willett from War Ready. However, it was the collective effort and a well-executed game plan that led The Ville to victory.
Next game for The Ville is Thursday at 8pm in Freedom Hall.
