Midnight Madness

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Oct 27, 2008

Midnight Madness

Kentucky

Kentucky started off the Midnight Madness scene early on October 10, but the official first day of practice for most schools was this Friday. SI.com looked around for some of the best shots.

Kansas

If Kansas fans seemed a little more excited for this year's Late Night at Phog, it might be because the night included the raising of the national championship banner. Late Night also gave fans a chance to see the new faces who will be defending the title -- the Jayhawks return only two players who saw significant playing time on last year's squad.

UConn

Jerome Dyson helped introduce the new season to UConn fans when he won the dunk contest at First Night. Dyson joins A.J. Price, Jeff Adrien and Hasheem Thabeet as sure starters on a team that's roster remains a question mark heading into the season.

Illinois

Illinois forewent a conventional Midnight Madness to put on what the Illini claim was the largest outdoor practice on a portable court at Memorial Stadium. This could be the last season that Bruce Weber's squad can do that -- the NCAA is reportedly expected to ban such events after coaches at other schools complained.

North Carolina

UNC's Late Night with Roy Williams takes place on Saturday, but the squad took some time at Media Day to goof around for the camera.

Indiana

Indiana fans came to Hoosier Hysteria not only to celebrate the start of the season, but also meet an almost entirely new team. The Hoosiers return only one scholarship player under new coach Tom Crean, who looked comfortable in IU red Friday night.

Michigan State

Tom Izzo went retro for Michigan State's Friday Night Flashback -- the Spartans celebrated the 30th anniversary of their first Final Four appearance.

UMBC

After making their first NCAA tournament appearance, the UMBC Retrievers celebrated Midnight Madness Friday night.

UConn

Maya Moore, the 6-foot guard who took women's college basketball by storm last season set the crowd into a frenzy with her high-flying acrobatics. The preseason All-American edged out teammate Tina Charles in the first annual women's dunk-off by throwing down two powerful one-handed slams. Charles, a 6-foot-5 senior center, made two dunks of her own. In addition to her jaw-dropping slams, Moore led all scorers in the women's scrimmage with six points.

Kansas

Kansas' Cole Aldrich shows off with a dunk during the annual scrimmage at Late Night at Phog.

Purdue

E'Twaun Moore flies through the air during the dunk contest at Purdue.

Michigan State

Earvin Johnson, Magic's dad, and Gregory "Special K" Kelser also showed up to the Friday Night Flashback, where players donned retro jerseys and got down to some '70s tunes.

Kentucky

Kentucky's Patrick Patterson is introduced to a roaring crowd at Kentucky's opening day of practice. Billy Gillespie and the Wildcats took advantage of a loophole in the NCAA practice rule and had their opening night earlier than most schools.

Villanova

Hip hop artist T-Pain and a stretch limo helped introduce the '08-'09 Villanova team to enthusiastic fans. Jay Wright's squad held the festivities a week later than most teams.