Oct. 7, 2009

GALLERY

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - It's the New Year's Eve of Maryland Basketball - and with the Women's team holding the 2009 ACC Crown and the Men's team ranked 20th in preseason polls - there is a lot to be excited about.

The annual Maryland Madness event, which marks the start of the men's and women's basketball seasons, will take place Friday, Oct. 16 at Comcast Center.

This year's event features a back-to-basics approach, with fireworks and special effects replaced with a brand new 3-point shooting contest featuring a few of the Maryland players, performances by the Maryland Spirit Squad, Dance Team, Band and Gymkana, as well as a few surprises too.

Don't miss out as head coaches Gary Williams and Brenda Frese, along with a few players, discuss their 2009-10 teams and preview the upcoming season, with both squads then taking the court for brief intrasquad workouts.

The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. when the Terrapin volleyball team hosts 17th-ranked Florida State in the first-ever volleyball match on the Comcast Center main floor. Gates open at 4:30 p.m.

Tickets are free and will be available at the door the night of the event. They can also be ordered in advance from the Terrapin Ticket Office or by calling 1-800-IM-A-TERP.

Parking is free in the lots surrounding Comcast Center and in Terrapin Trail Garage.

Fans are encouraged to bring canned food and other non-perishable items as a donation to the Capital Area Food Bank. Drop locations will be situated inside the Comcast Center entrances, staffed by the Maryland Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Season tickets for Maryland men's and women's basketball are also now available at umterps.com or by calling the Terrapin Ticket Office.

For those fans who can't make it to the event, Maryland Madness will be broadcast live online on TerpsTV. To experience Maryland Madness on TerpsTV, click here.