Oct. 12, 2002
By DAVID GINSBURG
AP Sports Writer
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland strutted into the new season with a Midnight Madness housewarming party.
Coming off their first NCAA title, the Terrapins formally opened their campus arena, the 17,950-seat Comcast Center.
"All the bright lights, all the seats," senior forward Tahj Holden said. "It seems like we're an NBA team now."
College basketball practice was allowed to start at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, and Maryland was joined by many schools taking the first step in a season that culminates with the Final Four in New Orleans.
The $107 million Comcast Center replaces Cole Field House, the Terrapins' court for 47 years.
"It's great to leave Cole with a national championship. That place really deserved it," coach Gary Williams said. "But we're really looking forward to this year."
The new arena has a TV screen on the scoreboard. Ninety minutes before midnight, fans got to relive Maryland's run to the title, ending with a 64-52 win over Indiana in the championship game.
"That's really the first time I've seen it," Williams deadpanned. "I guess we won."
The Terrapins will hang the championship banner before the regular-season opener against Miami of Ohio on Nov. 24.
The night's events featured many of the staples of the past - a laser show, dunking lines and a short scrimmage. But, with a new building and new swagger as a champion, this was unlike any of the 32 versions of Midnight Madness that preceded it.
Steve Blake is the lone returning starter from last year's team. He also started on the squad that went to the Final Four in 2001.
"Twenty years from now, people will remember that we were the first team to play here," he said. "It's nice to be here to open the building. It's the start of something new."
-Kentucky used Midnight Madness to celebrate its 100th season of basketball.
The crowd chanted "TUB-BY! TUB-BY!" as coach Tubby Smith ran onto the court, grabbed a microphone and introduced former coach Joe B. Hall, who led Kentucky to the 1978 title.
A giant blue and white cake was then wheeled onto the floor as the crowd sang "Happy Birthday" to the program.
-"Let the Music Play" was the theme at Michigan State's Breslin Center. Coach Tom Izzo descended by rope from the ceiling while dressed like Bruce Springsteen. He then danced to a parody titled "Born in the U-P Eh," a reference to Izzo being from Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
-Kansas fans packed Allen Fieldhouse for "Late Night with Roy Williams," which opened with the homecoming tradition of a sorority and fraternity sing-off.
The players put on skits before the practice and pulled Williams onto the court to show how well he dances. Women's basketball coach Miriam Washington joined him.
-Indiana enjoyed its largest Midnight Madness crowd in Mike Davis' three years as coach. Coming off a national runner-up season, about 10,000 cheering fans attended the Hoosiers' first practice.
Dane Fife, who started as the swingman last season before graduating, returned to watch his former teammates.
-Arkansas began practice under Stan Heath, who joined the Razorbacks in May after coaching one year at Kent State.
Fans donated nonperishable food items, the price of admission to the four-hour event.
-More than 10,000 fans showed at Florida, nearly filling O'Connell Center. Forward Matt Bonner won a slam dunk contest by ripping off an Incredible Hulk T-shirt while he took the ball to the net.
