By Murray Evans
The Associated Press

LEXINGTON - For the 23rd and possibly last time at Memorial Coliseum, Kentucky welcomed students to a midnight unveiling of its men's and women's basketball teams that ceremoniously kicked off practices.

Former Kentucky player and current broadcaster Larry Conley and former Kentucky standout Sam Bowie hosted the event.

Expectations, as usual, are high for the men's team, even though Chuck Hayes and Kelenna Azubuike are the only starters back from last season's 27-5 team that lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Coach Tubby Smith has added what recruiting experts have called the best group of freshmen in the nation, a class that includes Ramel Bradley, Rajon Rondo, Joe Crawford and Randolph Morris.

"I'm anxious to see if this talent level that we've been able to recruit can overcome that lack of experience," Smith said. "It will take a lot of patience early on in the season, so we can help them understand and appreciate our style of play."

Bowie, who played at Kentucky from 1980-81 and 1984, said no matter how talented the freshmen, they had to be nervous about taking the court for the first time. He knows because he's been there.

"I had butterflies and I was extremely nervous, more so than playing a road game," Bowie said. "I think it has a lot to do with being an 18-year-old. You want to impress the fans in your first outing. It's their initial appearance, and you want to put on a show for the Commonwealth."

The theme of this year's Big Blue Madness, "This is Kentucky Basketball," was a takeoff on ESPN's "This is SportsCenter" series of commercials. That's one reason Conley - who played under coach Adolph Rupp and was one of ESPN's original basketball commentators in 1979 - co-hosted the event.

The theme might have come from a commercial, but truth be told, there isn't much need to advertise Kentucky basketball - the 8,700 tickets for the event, which are free, took only about 30 minutes to distribute last week.

The event has grown so popular that serious consideration is being given from moving the event from Memorial Coliseum - its home since 1982 - to 23,000-seat Rupp Arena next year.

"This is unique," Smith said. "You don't find this at too many schools. That's why it's such a spectacle, such an event."

Bowie said that when the Wildcats take the floor for their first real practice this afternoon, the glamour will be gone.

"The next day is nowhere near the fun they're going to have tonight," Bowie said.

For the first times in years, hopes are also high for UK's women. The Wildcats set an overall attendance record last season and second-year coach Mickie DeMoss' recruiting class was ranked as one of the nation's best.

"It's a great foundation for our future," DeMoss said. "In the first year, having the ability to sign that type of class was really beyond expectations."

Can March be far behind?

Key dates for the next round of "Madness," the NCAA Tournament:

• Opening game, March 15, Dayton.

• First and second rounds, March 17-20: Boise, Idaho; Charlotte, N.C.; Cleveland; Indianapolis; Nashville, Tenn; Oklahoma City; Tucson, Ariz.; Worcester, Mass.

• Elite Eight, March 24-27: Albuquerque, N.M.; Austin, Texas; Chicago; Syracuse, NY.

• Final Four, April 2 and 4, St. Louis.