We still have roughly six months until the next chapter of the Louisville men's basketball program gets underway, but fans will have an opportunity to relive former Cardinals glory this summer.
Following a failed attempt in 2021, a UofL alumni team will be taking part in the 2023 iteration of The Basketball Tournament. TBT is a 64-team, $1 million winner-take-all tournament that has seen its popularity rise in recent years after it was first established in 2014.
"I want to thank all of my former teammates, staff, and the city and state for for getting behind us," former Louisville All-American Russ Smith said. "I want to thank all the basketball fans, I'd also like to thank TBT for making the city of Louisville one of the regionals. I'm very excited to play and suit up from my alma mater, and just excited to see what we can do."
Smith will be one several former Cardinals to suit up for "The Ville." Peyton Siva, Kyle Kuric, Wayne Blackshear, Chane Behanan, Chinanu Onuaku, Steven Enoch, Rakeem Buckles and Dillon Avare have also committed to the playing roster. Luke Hancock, Mark Lieberman and Jordan Sucher are among those that will serve on the coaching staff.
"The Ville" will host to one of TBT’s eight regional locations, with play taking place at legendary Freedom Hall. Eight teams will compete in the Louisville Regional, with the regional champion advancing to the quarterfinals. The Louisville Regional lasts from Tuesday, July 25 to Saturday, July 29, with a quarterfinal at Freedom Hall taking place on Monday, July 31. "The Ville" will kick off their run on the first day of the regional at 7:00 p.m. EST.
"I don't know if there's any other program in the in the country that celebrates its national champions the way I think we do here, and get a chance to see us all come together and play again," Smith said. "I think we're the only school that's doing that to this to this magnitude."
On Wednesday, Smith took time to meet with the media and discuss the alumni team. He talked about what it will be like to play again with many of his former teammates at UofL, what it it will be like to play at Freedom Hall, the evolution of his game since he left college, and more.
Below is the video from his press conferences:
More must-reads: