20 'Midnight Madness' Celebrations We Can't Wait to See for the 2014-15 Season
In college basketball, the madness isn't just reserved for March.
Though we're months away from the NCAA tournament and all its wild and crazy glory, we're only a few weeks from the start of the 2014-15 season. And to celebrate that upcoming beginning, many Division I programs have special events set up to introduce the new versions of their teams to fans.
Collectively, these events are known as "Midnight Madness" since they were able to happen as soon as the clock turned midnight on Friday, Oct. 3, the official start of preseason practice sessions. However, only a few teams took advantage of that earliest moment to hold their celebrations, and most have festivities planned sometime in the next few weeks.
We've found 20 of the best Midnight Madness gatherings planned and put them all together for you to scan in anticipation of what should be another amazing college basketball season.
Already Held Events
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With teams allowed to start practicing as early as Oct. 3, some wanted to get the hoopla of Midnight Madness over with right off the bat so they could focus on preparations for the upcoming season.
This past weekend featured a few schools holding their fan events, including powers Cincinnati and North Carolina.
Carolina held its annual "Late Night With Roy" event Friday, a gathering at the Dean Smith Center that included comedy skits, dance performances and even some actual basketball. The 20-minute scrimmage saw Tar Heels freshman Justin Jackson score 17 points to lead his team to a 41-40 win.
At Cincinnati, the Bearcats' "Basketball at the Banks" event was held Saturday on an outdoor court along the Ohio River. Former players such as Corie Blount, Ruben Patterson and last year's star, Sean Kilpatrick, made appearances at the tipoff celebration.
Alabama-Birmingham Blazers
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When: Thursday, Oct. 9
TV: None
Alabama-Birmingham hasn't spent much time on the national radar during the regular season in college basketball the last few years aside from its upset of North Carolina last December. But the Blazers still know how to make their Midnight Madness event stand out as well as the traditional powers.
The "Hoops on the Haasephalt" event is being held for the third year, and it will once again transform part of the UAB campus into a temporary basketball facility. Named for coach Jerod Haase, who last year arrived at the event via helicopter, it involves constructing a makeshift court in a parking lot.
Both the UAB men's and women's team will be involved, participating in dunk and three-point contests and interacting with the fans. The event will also serve as a pep rally for the school's homecoming football game on Oct. 11 against North Texas.
Arizona Wildcats
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When: Friday, Oct. 17
TV: ESPNU
Arizona will be holding its annual Red-Blue Scrimmage on Oct. 18, but before it gets to that point, there needs to be an opportunity to introduce the newest Wildcats team to its fans. And with ESPN involved, expect a lot of fanfare for a team that's likely to begin the season ranked in the Top Five.
As part of ESPN's Midnight Madness coverage on Oct. 17, the network will have analyst and former Arizona basketball star Miles Simon—who was the starting guard on the 1997 national championship team—on hand to serve as host. Beyond that, look for dunking and shot demonstrations, with McKale Center packed to see how this team that made the Elite Eight a year ago will look in 2014-15.
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Connecticut Huskies
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When: Friday, Oct. 17
TV: ESPNU (6 p.m. ET)
The defending national champions deserve a special night to celebrate that title. And with Connecticut owning both the men's and women's crowns from 2013-14, it should he a heck of an event when the Huskies host "First Night" at Gampel Pavilion in conjunction with ESPNU.
Both teams' national championship banners will be unveiled during the event, which also includes men's and women's scrimmages and a three-point contest. The school will honor all 13 of its basketball titles, while the pep band will perform and fans in attendance will receive commemorative credentials and special glow sticks.
Duke Blue Devils
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When: Saturday, Oct. 25
TV: None
It wouldn't be Midnight Madness without Duke, which has been a regular participant in the preseason festivities for several years. This season, however, the Blue Devils are doing their version later than most schools, some three weeks after practice begins.
That just means that the "Countdown to Craziness" will be even more highly anticipated than past ones and not just because Duke features the top-rated recruiting class in the nation. That group of newcomers, as well as holdovers such as Quinn Cook and Amile Jefferson, will be showcased in a Blue-White scrimmage and a dunk contest.
Student-led performances are part of the entertainment, as well as a highlight video and other festivities.
Florida Gators
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When: Friday, Oct. 17
TV: ESPNU (6 p.m. ET)
Florida's Midnight Madness this season will be a relatively low-key event, much of it of the pre-recorded variety as part of a nationwide scan of some of the top programs in the country, which makes up some of ESPNU's TV coverage. But even without a live presence, Billy Donovan and his Gators will still be must-see viewing.
Donovan will be wired for sound during practices and workouts leading up to Oct. 17, opting to go that route rather than do a full-fledged event. Florida's last full-blown Midnight Madness came in 2006, according to Florida blog OnlyGators.com.
Florida Gulf Coast Eagles
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When: Friday, Oct. 17
TV: ESPNU (6 p.m. ET)
Before the 2013 NCAA tournament, very few people had ever heard of tiny Florida Gulf Coast. But after the Eagles' magical run to the Sweet 16, along with their flair for slam dunks, the team that gave us "Dunk City" is among the most well-known programs outside the power conferences.
And even though 2012-2013 coach Andy Enfield left after that season to coach USC, Dunk City lives on and is the central theme to the "Dunk City After Dark" event that will be part of ESPNU's Midnight Madness programming. This will be the second year in a row FGCU is involved.
The event inside the Alico Arena will include skits, highlight reels and, of course, the dunk contest where the Eagles can show fans what to expect above the rim during the 2014-15 season.
Gonzaga Bulldogs
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When: Friday, Oct. 17; Saturday, Oct. 25
TV: ESPNU (6 p.m. ET, Oct. 17)
While many other mid-major basketball Cinderellas have come and gone, Gonzaga has remained in the national spotlight for 15 years since making a splash in the NCAA tournament in the late 1990s. How the Bulldogs have done it is something so many other aspiring programs want to learn how to do.
They'll get an opportunity to see an inside look at what Gonzaga and coach Mark Few have going in Spokane during ESPNU's Midnight Madness coverage. Few will be wired for sound during workouts and give viewers an inside look at the program.
Eight days later, Gonzaga will hold its own full Madness event, known as "Kraziness in the Kennel." That will be held inside the McCarthey Athletic Center, while outside will be the Pre-Kraziness Carnival.
Harvard Crimson
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When: Friday, Oct. 17
TV: ESPNU (6 p.m. ET)
Known throughout the world as being one of the finest academic institutions around, Harvard has been developing a reputation as a pretty good basketball school as well the past few seasons under coach Tommy Amaker. And how the Crimson celebrate the start of each season is pretty top-notch, too.
Harvard's "Crimson Madness" will be shown in conjunction with ESPNU's Midnight Madness coverage, and it will feature not just current members of the team but also celebrity guests from the Boston area. That includes Boston Celtics star Jared Sullinger and TD Garden entertainment guru "Coach" Willie Maye.
Players will be in dunk contests and three-point competitions as well.
Iowa State Cyclones
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When: Saturday, Oct. 18
TV: None
Watch just one basketball game played at Hilton Coliseum, and it's easy to see the environment is one of the best in the country. Now imagine what Iowa State's arena must be like after months of having no Iowa State basketball to get excited about.
The annual "Hilton Madness" is free—but, according to the school's athletic Web site, "you just have to bring the magic!"—and will feature dunk and three-point contests as well as the unveiling of banners from last season's great run. In 2013-14, Iowa State won the Big 12 Conference tournament and reached the Sweet 16.
Once Hilton Madness is over, fans can stick around and watch the Cyclones football team on the video boards as they play at Texas.
Kansas Jayhawks
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When: Friday, Oct. 10
TV: None
One of the earliest Midnight Madness celebrations scheduled will also be among the biggest, as Kansas' "Late Night in the Phog" will mark its 30th anniversary. Bill Self's latest star-studded team will be on display, and in the crowd will be a laundry list of top-level recruits who are expected to attend.
Scrimmages for both the men's and women's teams, player-involved skits and videos produced by the school's Rock Chalk video department are some of the events scheduled. All of that will be used to get fans ready for the upcoming season and entice prep stars to become future Jayhawks.
Kentucky Wildcats
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When: Friday, Oct. 17
TV: ESPNU (6 p.m. ET); SEC Network (9 p.m. ET)
Most schools make their Midnight Madness events free and open to the public, a chance for many people who might not otherwise get a chance to watch the college basketball team during the regular season to get an early glimpse of what they'll see on television.
Kentucky doesn't charge for its "Big Blue Madness," but maybe it should. With so much demand to watch the Wildcats, and so much hype once again surrounding the talent-laden team, tickets to the event were gone within 30 minutes of becoming available, according to the school. Good for those who weren't fast that nearly everything related to Kentucky basketball is televised nowadays.
ESPN is sending a team of commentators to Rupp Arena, where not only will the latest batch of Wildcats superstars show off for the crowd but a number of prospective future Kentucky standouts will attend the event. Among those: 5-star shooting guard Antonio Blakeney, according to Chris Fisher of 247Sports (subscription required).
LSU Tigers
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When: Friday, Oct. 17
TV: None
It's not cool anymore to call it "Midnight Madness" at most places, apparently. Better to come up with a theme or label it something that fits in with the community and the culture.
Hence, LSU's "Bayou Madness," the second-annual pep rally-style event held at the Maravich Center to tip off the 2014-15 season. More than just basketball, this event will feature a cheerleading clinic for kids interested in someday leading chants for the Tigers. There will be a scrimmage on the court, a dunk contest and a three-point competition.
One LSU student may win $1,000 before the night is through.
Maryland Terrapins
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When: Friday, Oct. 17
TV: None
Maryland was part of the advent of the Midnight Madness phenomenon during the 1970s under Lefty Driesell. And the Terrapins are still involved in the festivities as they make the move from the ACC to the Big Ten this season.
"Maryland Madness" will give fans a chance to see Maryland's new-look roster, which features highly touted freshman Melo Trimble and transfers like Richaud Pack from North Carolina Central and Robert Carter from Georgia Tech. Star Dez Wells returns, however, and will be a key piece of this team.
They'll also get to see the fancy new video board in Maryland's arena, the Xfinity Center, if that's your thing.
Mercer Bears
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When: Friday, Oct. 17
TV: ESPNU (6 p.m. ET)
Mercer? Midnight Madness? Never thought you'd see those two things together in the same sentence, huh?
Well, after the Bears made a big splash during the NCAA tournament last March by knocking off Duke in the second round (and then spectacularly dancing to celebrate the win afterward), they've been included in ESPN's Midnight Madness this year. The official name of Mercer's event, not surprisingly, is Mercer Madness.
Mercer coach Bob Hoffman will emcee the event, which will feature a scrimmage as well as skill, shooting and dunk contests. An interesting twist involves students who attend getting a chance to compete against Bears players in those games.
Michigan State Spartans
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When: Friday, Oct. 24
TV: None
Michigan State tends to put on one of the more involved Midnight Madness celebrations, one that's often part of ESPN's coverage. But the Spartans are teaming up this year with the MSU football team to hold its event the night before the visit from rival Michigan on Oct. 25.
The school hasn't released many details about what will happen this year, but expect coach Tom Izzo to make another grand debut. According to Kyle Austin of MLive.com, "Izzo has become known for his colorful entrances to the event, from entering on a cannon last year to dressing up as a superhero and driving a car into the event."
North Carolina State Wolfpack
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When: Friday, Oct. 17
TV: ESPNU (6 p.m. ET)
Another of the schools featured as part of ESPN's coverage of Midnight Madness, North Carolina State is tapping into the past for its "Throwback With the Pack" event. With former basketball home arena Reynolds Coliseum set to go a major renovation in 2015, the annual "Primetime with the Pack" will harken back to when NC State played their games there from 1949-1999.
That means in addition to the normal scrimmage featuring the current Wolfpack roster, a throwback game will include Tommy Burleson, Chris Corchiani, Julius Hodge, Rodney Monroe and David Thompson, among others.
Along with the portions that will be shown on ESPNU, the entire event will be available for live stream on ESPN3 per a release from the school.
St. John's Red Storm
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When: Friday, Oct. 17
TV: None
St. John's knows how to do Midnight Madness, and this year is no different. The Red Storm will ring in the new season with its "Red Storm Tip-Off" event that features far more than just basketball. It even has a hip-hop musical performance.
French Montana will do some of his hits at Carnesecca Arena, while fans who attend the co-ed basketball event (with St. John's coach Steve Lavin and women's coach Joe Tartamella co-hosting the affair) will get a chance to win some fabulous prizes. That includes a 2014 Chevy Camaro, which the winner will probably want to drive to games in Queens but will keep in the garage when the Red Storm play at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan.
San Diego State Aztecs
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When: Friday, Oct. 17
TV: ESPU (6 p.m. ET)
San Diego State will be among the teams that ESPN will be going live to during its Midnight Madness coverage, with Steve Fisher being wired for sound during the Aztecs' event at Viejas Arena. SDSU will be also be part of a pre-recorded all-access segment during the three-hour TV program.
Expect The Show, whom we at Bleacher Report rated as the top student section in the country, to be in full force for this event, which will showcase yet another strong SDSU team but one that has to replace 2013-14 star Xavier Thames.
UNLV Runnin' Rebels
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When: Thursday, Oct. 16
TV: None
Major roster turnover has this season's UNLV team looking very different from the one that went 20-13 last season but failed to reach the NCAA tournament. The Runnin' Rebels feature one of the top recruiting classes in the nation, headlined by 5-star guard Rashad Vaughn, while the roster also includes transfers from Oregon, Rutgers and San Francisco.
UNLV fans can check out this new lineup at the Scarlet & Gray Showcase at the Thomas & Mack Center event, which is a scrimmage that includes numerous other fan-friendly attractions going on.
Skills challenges, a Legends game involving past UNLV stars and autograph opportunities highlight the event, which will no doubt also include some Las Vegas-style flair.
Virginia Tech Hokies
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When: Saturday, Oct. 11
TV: None
Buzz Williams' decision to leave Marquette for Virginia Tech was one of the more surprising parts of the college basketball offseason coaching carousel, especially considering Williams' success at his old school and the lack of results his new program has had.
Our first glimpse of what Williams has to work with this season comes during the Tip-Off Tailgate, which will be held at a local YMCA instead of inside Cassell Coliseum.
Rather than go heavy on production and flair, the 90-minute event is more of a meet-and-greet for fans to get a chance to get to hang out with the Hokies' new roster. Autographs, pictures with the team mascot and shooting demonstrations are part of the lineup.
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
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