As conference and school media days unfold locally and nationally this week, it’s obvious what the next step is in the process of commencing the college basketball season.
That would be the various (Earlier Than) Midnight Madness celebrations to note the start of practice. And, as usual, there are plenty of them in the D.C. area on Friday night.
SEE RELATED:
Here’s the basics on four schools of note, which have varying degrees of ease for fans to take part in:
MARYLAND: MARYLAND MADNESS
When: 7 p.m. (doors open at 6)
Where: Comcast Center
Cost: Free, open to the public
Performances and appearances: Gymkana; student dunk contests judged by Juan Dixon, Dave Neal, Torrey Smith, LaQuan Williams, Walt Williams and Josh Wilson
Actual basketball: Women’s team introduced at 7:30; men’s team introduced at 7:45; scrimmages at 8:30
TV coverage: CSN+ (7:30-8:30); encore on CSN (9-10)
GEORGETOWN: MIDNIGHT MADNESS
When: 8:30 p.m. (doors open at 8)
Where: McDonough Arena
Cost: Free for students (wristband distribution begins at 6:30)
Performances and appearances: Doug E. Fresh, GU Step Team, GU Jawani and Groove Theory
Actual basketball: Women’s team introduced at 9:20; men’s team introduced at 9:45; dunk showcase and series of drills follows
Coverage: Streamed on Georgetown’s site
GEORGE MASON: MASON MADNESS
When: 9 p.m. (doors open at 8:30)
Where: Patriot Center
Cost: Free, open to the public
Performances and appearances: Doc Nix and the Green Machine, UrbanKnowlogy
Actual basketball: Green-Gold scrimmage
GEORGE WASHINGTON: COLONIALS INVASION
When: 8 p.m. (doors open at 6:30)
Where: Conmy Hall, Fort Myer
Cost: Free
Performances and appearances: U.S. Army band, drill team and color guard, as well as GW’s hip-hop dance group Capital Funk
Actual basketball: Skills challenge, dunk contest and military challenge relay, all of which incorporate the men’s and women’s basketball teams, military personnel and GW students.
—- Patrick Stevens
