Big blue madness

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) For the 23rd and possibly last time at Memorial Coliseum, Kentucky welcomed students to a midnight unveiling of their men&#39;s and women&#39;s basketball teams that ceremoniously kicked off fall practices.<br> <br> Former Kentucky player and current broadcaster Larry Conley and former Kentucky standout Sam Bowie hosted the event.<br> <br> Expectations, as usual, are high for the men&#39;s team, even though Chuck Hayes and Kelenna Azubuike are the only starters back from last season&#39;s 27-5 team that lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament.<br> <br> Coach Tubby Smith has added what recruiting experts have called the best group of freshman in the nation, a class that includes Ramel Bradley, Rajon Rondo, Joe Crawford and Randolph Morris.<br> <br> ``I&#39;m anxious to see if this talent level that we&#39;ve been able to recruit can overcome that lack of experience,&#39;&#39; Smith said. ``It will take a lot of patience early on in the season, so we can help them understand and appreciate our style of play.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Bowie, who played at Kentucky from 1979-84, said that no matter how talented the freshmen are, they had to be nervous about taking the court for the first time. He knows because he&#39;s been there.<br> <br> ``I had butterflies and I was extremely nervous, more so than playing a road game,&#39;&#39; Bowie said. ``I think it has a lot to do with being an 18-year-old. You want to impress the fans in your first outing. It&#39;s their initial appearance, and you want to put on a show for the Commonwealth.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> The theme of this year&#39;s Big Blue Madness, ``This is Kentucky Basketball,&#39;&#39; was a takeoff on ESPN&#39;s ``This is SportsCenter&#39;&#39; series of commercials. That&#39;s one reason Conley who played under coach Adolph Rupp and was one of ESPN&#39;s original basketball commentators in 1979 co-hosted the event.<br> <br> The theme might have come from a commercial, but truth be told, there isn&#39;t much need to advertise Kentucky basketball the 8,700 tickets for the event, which are free, took only about 30 minutes to distribute last week.<br> <br> The event has grown so popular that serious consideration is being given from moving the event from Memorial Coliseum its home since 1982 to 23,000-seat Rupp Arena next year.<br> <br> ``This is unique,&#39;&#39; Smith said. ``You don&#39;t find this at too many schools. That&#39;s why it&#39;s such a spectacle, such an event, such a happening.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Bowie said that when the Wildcats take the floor for their first real practice Saturday afternoon, the glamour will be gone.<br> <br> ``The next day is nowhere near the fun they&#39;re going to have tonight,&#39;&#39; Bowie said.<br> <br> For the first times in years, hopes are also high for Kentucky&#39;s women. The Wildcats set an overall attendance last season and second-year coach Mickie DeMoss&#39; recruiting class was ranked as one of the nation&#39;s best.<br> <br> ``It&#39;s a great foundation for our future,&#39;&#39; DeMoss said. ``In the first year, having the ability to sign that type of class was really beyond expectations.&#39;&#39;

http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/10/149451