You Call It Madness, But I Call It Love

This past weekend, Midnight Madness events were cropping up on college campuses everywhere. And for those of you who have no clue what those are, it's basically the party that basketball teams throw to kick off the impending season. Usually at night. Usually with ridiculousness.

The original Midnight Madness? University of MD in 1970, then coached by the famous Lefty Drisell. The players had to run a mile obstacle course. Fun times.




My Mounties get things started with a Denis Kilicli accompanied
rendition of Country Roads.


It's hard to believe that college basketball season is upon us. Maybe because with all the pro sport lockouts and college football shenanigans, we've kinda forgotten about it. Or maybe it's because some of us just can't concentrate on more than two sports at the same time, and MLB and football have already claimed your attention span.

But it's true. In just a few short weeks, the cagers will be taking center court. Some teams, like the University of Kentucky Wildcats, are once again full of diaper dandies. Not surprising, since Kentucky tends to harvest one-and-done players to the NBA like an Xavier Roberts' cabbage patch. With the return of Terrence Jones and Doron Lamb, however, the Cats are poised to once again make a deep run come tourney time.

Then there's St. Johns. Shortly after their midnight madness celebration, the Red Storm were holding tryouts to fill a noticeably empty roster. Head coach Steve Lavin, who is faced with the task of replacing three players declared NCAA ineligible, has said that he will possibly be bringing on five to six walk additional guys. When you play in a conference like the Big East, fielding a team half-comprised of non-scholarship players seems like a daunting obstacle to overcome.

Of course, perennial contenders and personal foes UNC and Duke both look to earn both an ACC and National crown. With a host of returning talent, a Roy Williams' UNC squad might just have the edge.

Probably my favorite thing about college basketball, though, is the surprising mid-major Cinderellas. Last year's Final Four match-up between Butler and VCU is a prime example that anyone can play with anyone. And honestly, who doesn't want to hear the name Shaka Smart all throughout March?

Yes, the Madness is upon us. And I, for one, can't wait.

So friends....what are you most looking forward to about College Basketball season? Do you think UConn will make a repeat run to the title? Are you sad this might be the last time you see Pittsburgh and Syracuse play in the formidable Big East? Do you think Kansas coach Bill Self looks hot clad in leather? Let me know!

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