Midnight Madness tips off basketball season

By Phil Witte
Daily Forty-Niner

The college basketball season gets underway with the start of Midnight Madness at one minute past midnight Saturday the first official time teams can begin practicing this season.

The men's team, under Coach Wayne Morgan, begins its quest to unseat Utah State as Big West champs and the women's team under Coach Dallas Boychuk-Bolla will try to topple perennial Big West power UC Santa Barbara.

This year will be the third time "Pyramidnight Madness" has hit The Beach.

"It's has been well received by the students and the community and we're excited it's taking hold here," said Athletics Director Bill Shumard. "Holding a Midnight Madness is expected for large programs and we're expecting a big crowd."

Under NCAA regulations, teams are not allowed to hold organized practices until Oct. 14.

The doors to The Pyramid will open at 11:00 p.m., Friday,  and admission is free, as is the pizza, hot dogs, popcorn and soda that will be provided for everyone in attendance.

At 11:15 p.m., the 49er cheerleaders and dance teams will be on hand to entertain the crowd. Radio station Power 106 will be playing music and giving away prizes all evening.

Official festivities will begin at midnight with the introduction of both the men's and women's teams. The women's team will kick off the action with a three-point shooting contest followed by an eight-minute scrimmage. Next, the men take center stage with a slam-dunk competition followed by a scrimmage.

Morgan said Midnight Madness is good for both the fans and the players.

"It's a chance for the student body and our core fan group to familiarize themselves with the players and get a preview of the team in an informal setting," Morgan said. "The players enjoy the chance to go out and have fun."

Last year's team exceeded expectations, winning the Big West Western Division with a 15-1 record, and 24-6 overall. The season ended with a 70-66 loss to California in the first round of the NIT.

Boychuk-Bolla said the women's team,  which finished 12-3 in the Big West, second in the Western Division and 22-11 overall, is counting down the minutes until Midnight Madness.

"Last year at Midnight Madness there was a great turnout and the players loved having a big crowd out there supporting them," she said.