September 15, 2008

Bob McClellan & Andrew Skwara
Rivals.com College Basketball Staff

The Wildcats figured out a way to grab the stage all to themselves for the start of basketball practice. Instead of waiting to open on the NCAA-mandated Friday, Oct. 17, they'll hold "Big Blue Madness" a week earlier, on Oct. 10.

UK found a loophole. The NCAA allows two hours of team workouts per week beginning Sept. 15. The Wildcats will save their two hours that week and use them on Oct. 10, no doubt in front of a packed house at Rupp Arena.

Is it fair? Will other schools follow suit, or will the NCAA add to its already-brimming rulebook to say no one can do this?

We asked basketball editor Bob McClellan and staff writer Andrew Skwara to debate the merits of moving up for Midnight Madness type of activities. Here is what they said:

SKWARA'S PICK: LET 'EM ALL MOVE UP

Kentucky is obviously taking advantage of a loophole in the rules here, but it makes sense for more schools to do the same.

Every year, several teams have trouble deciding whether to hold a "Midnight Madness" to open the start of practice. Some coaches don't like it. They want to use the first practice to set a tone instead of starting the season off with slam dunks and a 3-point shootout. Some are worried about not having enough fan support. Others, like the Wildcats, are worried about sharing the spotlight with a football team who has a game that upcoming weekend.

The NCAA can fix much of that by allowing all teams to pick one day between Sept. 15 and the "official" start of practice where they can host their versions of Midnight Madness.

It also would allow prospects to see what Midnight Madness is like at a handful of schools, instead of having to pick just one. Kentucky will have a big advantage in the recruiting game since their event will be a week before everyone else's this year. Changing the rules will create a more even playing ground for everyone.

MCCLELLAN: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

Isn't this getting to be a little silly? Midnight Madness got its start because someone ? Lefty Driesell in particular ? wanted to get a jump on the competition. He figured he could start practice at midnight since it technically was the first minute of the first day he was allowed to begin practice.

Driesell's brainchild mushroomed from there. First it was an innocent midnight mile run. Within a few years, thousands were coming to see an intrasquad scrimmage.

But these events really are elitist. In the midst of football season, how many of the 341 schools that play basketball really are capable of holding a legit Midnight Madness in which the fan base is truly interested? Maybe 10?

It's much ado about nothing. It's a practice. Are we really talking about practice? Where is Allen Iverson when you need him?

I can only praise Kentucky for a great idea. They get the stage to themselves, and it's a nice recruiting tool, too. Should others follow suit? No. Should the Wildcats or anyone else be allowed to continue the practice? No.

It's a lot of pomp for a minor circumstance. The NCAA should word the open of practice thusly: No school shall hold an open-to-the-public team workout before 6 p.m. of the Friday closest to Oct. 15. On that day you may do whatever you like and throw open the doors.

Bob McClellan is the college basketball editor for Rivals.com. He can be reached at bmcclellan@rivals.com.
Andrew Skwara is a national writer for Rivals.com. He can be reached at askwara@rivals.com.