| | Midnight Madness was started back in the early '70s by the good left-hander, Charles "Lefty" Driesell at the University of Maryland. Back then, he proclaimed that Maryland would be the UCLA of the East. He created basketball hysteria by having his team come out at 12 midnight to beat everyone else.
|  | | Tonight's the night for fans to show their team's colors. |
Driesell wanted to be first, to get the winner's edge, to get that adrenaline flowing. He wanted to create excitement with his program. Since he started it, the tradition has grown and grown, developing into something really special.
I remember I started doing it at the University of Detroit in 1973, and people in the Motor City thought I was wacky. It became very popular and very exciting and now it has become the thing to do on college campuses across America. It is en vogue, with places like the University of Kentucky and Kansas University creating it into such an unbelievable moment with the enthusiasm shown to the kids.
These different Midnight Madness sessions have become events, a great way to celebrate the start of something special. Students get into a party atmosphere and the players and coaches really enjoy it.
I can't wait to get down to Memphis. They are having an unbelievable bash down there, complete with a 3-point shooting contest, foul shooting, even a Dickie V. sound-alike contest! Then I will address the 10,000-plus fans at the Pyramid for, yes, that's right, the new coach at Memphis ... John Calipari
He's creating the Memphis magic, much like he did at Massachusetts. He's back where he belongs, on a college campus teaching and working with kids.
There will be excitement galore at Memphis.
This is a special time. College hoops, right around the corner, baby!
I don't care how many players leave. When Duke and Carolina line up to play, I still get goosebumps on my body. When those uniforms come out, or when you enter an arena for one of those special games, whether it is Arizona vs. UCLA, Kentucky vs. Tennessee, or any great rivalry, college basketball has that special enthusiasm that is so unique.
Now we found out if all the big guys are for real.
As for my preseason Top 10, as chronicled in my Dickie V magazine done by the folks at ESPN The Magazine this year, I don't agree with the .com'ers. But that's what makes this time of the year so fun.
Here's my list ...
1. Duke
2. Arizona
3. North Carolina
4. Kansas
5. Stanford
6. Maryland
7. Illinois
8. Seton Hall
9. Michigan State
10. Tennessee
So let the season start with Midnight Madness. It is time for college hoops, baby! | |
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