The Mississippi State men’s and women’s basketball teams took the court five minutes past midnight on Saturday morning for the first time since their NCAA Tournament exits in March. Nearly 3,000 fans witnessed the annual event known around Mississippi State University as “Maroon Madness.”
The tradition of “Midnight Madness” began in 1971 when Maryland coach Lefty Driesell made his basketball team run a mile around the football field at the stroke of midnight–the first minute he could legally schedule a team practice under NCAA regulations. Driesell thought up the idea as a way to attract early fan support for the team. The notion stuck when several hundred students showed up to egg on the players as they ran.
Since the term “Midnight Madness” is copyrighted, the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs have their first scrimmages at “Maroon Madness” each year. Both squads were introduced Friday night just before midnight, and the university honored the returning and graduating players from the 2001-2002 SEC championship team.
The Bulldogs dazzled the crowd with an array of slam dunks and athleticism during the pre-scrimmage warm-up.
Afterwards, the team split in two with half of the players wearing white jerseys, and the other half sporting maroon. The “White” team included players such as Lincoln Smith, Derrick Zimmerman and Michal Ignerski. Mario Austin, Timmy Bowers and Marcus Campbell led the “Maroon” team.
The teams played for one 13-minute period, and the “Maroon” team walked away with a 27-25 victory.
Campbell had a game high eight points while Smith led the “White” team with seven.
Some new faces showcased their talents for the first time.
Transfers Dennis Buse and Errol Bennett played. However, Iowa State transfer Shane Power sat out because he is ineligible for the upcoming season. He will have two years of eligibility, though, after this season.
Freshmen Stephen Cowherd and Michael Boler played along with junior college transfer Branden Vincent.
Later, the Bulldog women took the floor, and all eyes were on All-American LaToya Thomas and super sophomore Tan White.
The Lady Dawgs are coming off a season that landed them in the second round of the NCAA tournament and wins over Florida and SEC power Georgia.