TBT: Kentucky Fans Will See Familiar Faces from Auburn Alumni, War Ready

by:Nick Roush•07/20/25•

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It's KD Johnson time. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images — "It's KD Johnson time." - KD Johnson (Via Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

Records were made in the TBT when Kentucky and Louisville alumni teams faced off in Freedom Hall last year. Fortunately, you don’t have to wait long to watch La Familia go toe-to-toe against former foes.

The Kentucky alumni team made easy work of Stroh’s Squad in the opening round of the winner-take-all $1 million tournament. The Wildcats jumped out to an early lead and never let go of the rope in a 105-52 victory. La Familia will be back in action on Sunday afternoon at Historic Memorial Coliseum against War Ready, a team made up primarily of Auburn alumni.

War Ready opened the TBT with a 61-55 victory over X-Rayted. Wendell Green Jr. was War Ready’s leading scorer, knocking down a trio of three-pointers to score 18 points. Green started his career at EKU before joining Bruce Pearl’s squad from 2021-23, helping the Tigers win the SEC Regular Season title in his first season. He was 1-1 against the Wildcats, averaging 10 points per game.

LaRon Smith is the War Ready team captain. He secured Friday’s Elam Ending with a tip-dunk. Smith played on Bruce Pearl’s first Auburn team with a winning record.

Is it KD Johnson Time?

There’s one player on the War Ready roster that Kentucky fans should hope to see on the court Sunday. KD Johnson was an electric factory in college for all of the wrong reasons. A manic point guard, he never saw a shot he didn’t like.

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Sometimes that style of play worked, and it created some animated celebrations. When it didn’t work, it was a thing of beauty. That’s what happened the last time we saw him in an Auburn uniform.

Holding onto a narrow lead late against Yale in the NCAA Tournament, he dribbled the ball right into the Ivy Leaguers’ hands. Auburn let its late lead evaporate. The Tigers needed a three to stay alive. That’s when they played KD Johnson’s music. It ended Auburn’s season in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

KD JOHNSON FOR THE WIN #NeverForget #Yale pic.twitter.com/uMSl8Mz2oN
— Coach Pimp Sanderson (@PimpSanderson) August 28, 2024

Unfortunately, KD Johnson recorded zero minutes for War Ready in the opening round of the TBT. For everyone’s sake, we need a heavy dose of KD Johnson against La Familia on Sunday. Tip-off is set for 2:30 PM ET on Fox.