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Going retro Wildcats look at past, present at 20th Midnight Madness
Updated: Saturday October 13, 2001 2:41 AM
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- It's fitting that this year's edition of Midnight Madness at Kentucky was dubbed "Midnight Special." Not only did the theme harken back to the Wildcats' first Madness celebration in 1982 but also included a word used by many fans to describe this year's team. "This is a special group of players that have a chance to create more history at the University of Kentucky," said 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. Saturday with the 20th anniversary of Big Blue Madness. The evening began shortly before midnight with a 15-minute retrospective of the past 19 years of Madness at Kentucky. Memorial Coliseum soon rocked to chants of "TUB-BY, TUB-BY," and huge cheers as the players entered through the crowd to blaring early 80s songs by the likes of 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," Kentucky coach Tubby 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 falling to USC 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 Georgia State, 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. Saturday 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 on Saturday.
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