Former players, from left, Kevin Knox, Nick Richards and Hamidou Diallo all attended Big Blue Madness Friday. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Tonight is the one night of the basketball season that I don’t have to be on my best behavior on media row. UK apparel is acceptable to be worn by the media and if one chooses a yell, clap or scream is tolerated.
The date for Big Blue Madness is usually starred and highlighted on my calendar. This year was different. I simply wrote the date down and made sure I didn’t have grandparent duties scheduled. One might say my feathers (peacock to be specific) were still a little ruffled.
There were former player introductions, current player introductions and Oscar Tshiebwe was given the task of introducing coach John Calipari. As Calipari took the microphone there was a collective hold your breath moment in Rupp Arena. There was no “state of the program” speech, just a simple “lets play ball” and mike drop. One of the best moves by Calipari since April.
The 3-point shot contest was won by Antonio Reeves defeating C.J. Fredrick, the reigning champ.
Having former players judge the dunk contest seemed appropriate. Tyler Ulis was the easiest judge and Hami Diallo (the reigning NBA dunk champ) was tough. Jacob Toppin won the contest by popular vote (fans), not score.
The scrimmage was last on the agenda for the night and was just a slow paced let’s run and shoot and not get anyone hurt. No defense could be found.
Are they athletic? Are there any shooters? Are there any veterans on the team? Are there elite freshmen? Are there shot blockers? Are they good defenders? The answer to each of the above is yes. All boxes are checked for a special season. With a little luck and a healthy Oscar. number 9 is within reach.
BBN needed tonight and UK did what it does best and delivered. It felt like 2019, before our world changed as we knew it. There were no masks, no social distancing just basketball.
It was designed to erase the 9-16 season from two years ago and those birds from last year. It was time to reunite and excite the fan base. It succeeded.
3 Responses
Wonder who advised him to just play ball instead of lecture the BBN about how great he and his players first program is. We’ve endured that same speech every year prior to this one. Why not this time?
Oh, we still got the indoctrination through the evening on the ultimate goal, the NBA.
Professor, I realized your not a fan of Cal and I myself have criticized him at times. But I see a different approach Cal is taken this season and only time will tell that approach will pay off. I do vision a season we that we will be knocking on the door barring no injuries to the players like had last year
Hope you are right, but he has not changed!