Saturday, October 13, 2001
UK fans greet basketball with high hopes
The Associated Press
LEXINGTON — It's fitting that this year's edition of Midnight Madness at Kentucky was dubbed “Midnight Special.” Not only did the theme harken to the Wildcats' first Madness celebration in 1982, but it also included a word used by many fans to describe this year's team.
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LSU at UK
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• Kickoff: 7 p.m. today, Commonwealth Stadium (67,530), Lexington.
• Records: UK 1-4 (0-3 Southeastern Conference), LSU 2-2 (0-2).
• Radio: WSAI-AM (1530).
• Series: LSU leads 36-15-1 (last: 2000, LSU 34-0).
• Line: LSU by 15 1/2.
• What to watch: LSU needs this win to have a realistic shot at salvaging the season; UK just needs a win, over someone.
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“This is a special group of players that have a chance to create more history at the University of Kentucky,” said fan Al Jones, who brought his 14-year-old son and two friends to the annual event. “On paper, I'm not sure there's a better team in this country.
“But championships aren't won on paper. That's why you play the games.”
Kentucky, the winningest program in college basketball history, began its quest for an eighth national championship at 12:01 a.m. today with the 20th anniversary of Big Blue Madness.
The evening began shortly before midnight with a 15-minute retrospective of the 19 years of Madness at Kentucky.
Memorial Coliseum soon rocked to chants of “Tub-by, Tub-by” in honor of coach Tubby Smith, and huge cheers as the players entered through the crowd to blaring early 80s songs by Duran Duran, Eurythmics, Robert Palmer and Van Halen.
“I'm glad you all could make it out to witness the first night of practice for what I believe is the most talented team I've ever had,” Smith said. “It's going to be an exciting year. You can count on that.”
This year's team already has fans talking title.
Kentucky lost only two players — point guard Saul Smith and reserve guard Todd Tackett — from last year's squad that finished 24-10 after losing to Southern Cal in the NCAA regional semifinals.
National player-of-the-year candidates Tayshaun Prince and Keith Bogans are back to anchor one of the nation's deepest teams, which should be fortified by the return of 6-foot-11 swingman Jules Camara.
Camara was suspended by the school last year following a drunken-driving conviction. His introduction prompted one of the largest cheers of the night from the rowdy Wildcat faithful.
“They're going all the way — mark it down,” said Kristyal Crady, 19, of New Albany, Ind., who sported a huge, blue cowboy hat with white UK logo. “I say that every year, but this year, it's really for real.”
Former Kentucky coach Joe B. Hall started Midnight Madness in 1982, looking for a way to build more excitement for the season. He invited the fans in for team introductions and a scrimmage at 12:01 a.m. on Oct.15, 1982, and Big Blue Madness was born.
Madness festivities now have grown at a tremendous pace, spreading to college and high school programs across the nation. Lefty Driesell, who now coaches James Madison, is credited with holding the first Midnight Madness when he coached at Maryland in 1971.
Part practice, part comedy show, the event has become as much a part of Kentucky basketball as the 3-pointer and Rupp Arena. Highlights from past shows have included former coach Rick Pitino pulling up to the court on a motorcycle and Tubby Smith donning a Don King wig.
Today is the first day Division I college basketball teams can practice. Several years ago, the NCAA moved the first day of practice to the Saturday closest to Oct.15.
Smith was expected to put the team through a much more serious and strenuous workout later today.
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Indiana football scores
Anderson 29, Amelia 0
Batavia 18, Bethel Tate 8
Beechwood 42, Holy Cross 0
Bellevue 37, Ludlow 0
Boone County 17, Dixie Heights 13
Campbell County 28, Conner 13
Cin. Hills Christian Academy 33, Landmark Christian 16
Cincinnati Country Day 37, Lockland 6
Colerain 42, Middletown 0
East Central 31, La Salle 21
Goshen 21, Norwood 14
Hamilton 17, Oak Hills 14
Harrison 40, Mason 16
Hillsboro 14, Clinton Massie 10
Kings 34, Wilmington 14
Lakota East 21, Sycamore 20
Lebanon 24, Fairborn 0
Lloyd 33, Garrard County 10
Loveland 27, Little Miami 7
Madeira 21, Indian Hill 20
McNicholas 41, Badin 12
Milford 24, Fairfield 19
Moeller 20, Col. St. Francis De Sales 10
Mount Healthy 62, Shroder 0
New Richmond 50, Clermont Northeastern 12
NewCath 63, Dayton 8
North College Hill 49, New Miami 2
Princeton 30, Lakota West 21
Reading 42, Mariemont 6
Roger Bacon 20, Purcell Marian 10
Summit County Day 74, Yellow Springs 13
Talawanda 34, Edgewood 25
Taylor 33, Deer Park 6
Washington Court House 28, Jonathan Alder 15
West Carrollton 12, Monroe 6
Western Hills 27, Woodward 8
Williamsburg 66, Western Brown 8
Winton Woods 24, Turpin 7
Wyoming 49, Finneytown 20
UK fans greet basketball with high hopes
