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John Calipari shows support for Kentucky-based La Familia team at TBT semifinal

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby:Grant Grubbs•08/02/24•

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© Scott Utterback

La Familia, Kentucky‘s alumni team in the TBT, had a special guest for its matchup against Carmen’s Crew. On Friday evening, John Calipari attended the showdown to show support for his former players.

Before the game, La Familia’s players lined up to greet Calipari, give him a hug or share a laugh. Calipari moved on from Kentucky this offseason to take over at Arkansas but he still has a relationship with the Wildcats he mentored.

After all, Calipari made no shortage of fond memories while at Kentucky. The 65-year-old head coach spent 15 seasons at UK, where he tallied a 410-122 record, three Final Four appearances in 2011, 2014 and 2015 and a national title in 2012.

Despite Calipari’s early success during his tenure with the program, he suffered a slump the past few years, particularly in the postseason. This past season, Kentucky fell in its opening matchup against Texas A&M in the SEC Tournament. The team’s nightmare scenario only worsened when it lost to No. 14 seed Oakland in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The loss was a harsh reminder of Kentucky’s loss to No. 15 seed Saint Peter’s in the NCAA Tournament only two seasons prior. Kentucky only won one game in the Big Dance in John Calipari’s final five seasons with the program.

A walk down memory lane for Kentucky fans

Nonetheless, La Familia brings back wonderful memories for BBN. With players like Eric Bledsoe, Willie Cauley-Stein and the Harrison twins on the team, the Kentucky faithful have been able to relive the 2010s on a weekly basis.

Fans aren’t the only ones who have enjoyed the walk down memory lane.

“It’s electric,” Cauley-Stein said on his return to Rupp Arena. “I felt it in the back of the locker room. All the guys coming in like “Willie, don’t go out there. You’re gonna get bombarded.’ I’m like, ‘That’s what I love.’ I felt my hairs come up and get the little chills, man. I knew it was gonna be a good time. It was gonna be a show.

“We represent these guys. We’re Kentucky through and through. And when we put on that jersey, we’re playing for them. They don’t get to experience this, so we got to go out there and put on a show so they can experience some type of energy.”

La Familia will look to give Kentucky fans more to cheer about on Friday night in its showdown against Carmen’s Crew. The winner between the two will advance to the TBT championship for a chance to win one million dollars.