Cousins, Barnes dazzle in UK-UNC alumni showcase

It was an evening that reunited former teammates and reignited an inter-conference rivalry.

On Sunday, alumni from the University of Kentucky and the University of Carolina came together at Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY to put on a show for a capacity crowd.

With a final score of 122-115, the former Wildcats defeated the Tar Heels of yesteryear.

Although the scoreboard showed just a seven-point victory for the boys in blue, the game was a rather lopsided affair, in which Kentucky led by as many as 21 points.

UNC's roster featured a group of familiar faces. Namely: Golden State Warriors forwards and NBA champions Harrison Barnes and James Michael McAdoo, nine-year NBA veteran Shammond Williams, and two-time NBA All-Star Jerry Stackhouse.

Kentucky head coach John Calipari - who was inducted in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday - had a little more firepower at his disposal.

Anthony Davis - who left UK for the pros in 2012 - traded in his jersey and shorts for a spot on the sidelines, taking on coaching duties for the exhibition game.

Cousins led his squad with 33 points, 18 rebounds and six assists - an impressive outing that included a nonchalant near-halfcourt shot.

Barnes kept his team afloat with a stellar 39-point performance, about which Cousins remarked, "Man, y'all really trying to win out here?"

In addition to a good-spirited competition, the game also served as a fundraiser for 17 different charities.

It was announced to the crowd that $1.5 million was raised from the event - $200,000 of which would go toward a legacy fund at the Hall of Fame in memory of former Tar Heels coach Dean Smith.

Barnes - who coordinated the UNC team - and Calipari, are discussing the possibility of organizing another game next year in Chapel Hill.

Although the the Wildcats came away triumphant, everyone was a winner on Friday.