Midnight Madness 2011: George Washington Kicks Off College Basketball Season With 'Colonials Invasion'

George Washington was kind enough to let SB Nation D.C. in to cover "Colonials Invasion," their version of Midnight Madness, on Friday night. They even let us guest-judge the dunk contest!

Midnight Madness 2011: Mark Turgeon Era Underway; Gary Williams Cameo

The University of Maryland Men's Basketball Team celebrated its 40th anniversary of Midnight Madness Friday night in front of an almost-full crowd at the Comcast Center in preparation for the first season under new head coach Mark Turgeon. Past and present were showcased to the crowd, as members the 2002 team and former head coach Gary Williams were present for the event.

Williams led the 2002 team to the NCAA Men's National Championship, but retired unexpectedly in the offseason amid turmoil between him and the athletic department. Though not all of the players from his 2002 team were present, NBA veterans Steve Blake and Chris Wilcox appeared. Recent Maryland star guard Greivis Vasquez was also in attendance The veterans also put on a scrimmage at the event, though not all in attendance played.

The current crop of Maryland players is what the night was supposed to be about, but it's safe to say that the Terps have lost some of their luster since the 2002 season. Though it's not been a marked decline, at least gradually Maryland has wavered to some degree, which surely contributed to Williams' retirement. The 2011-12 team will be tasked with improving upon the 2010-11 team's 19-14 (7-9) record. A full account of the events can be found here.

Doc Nix, George Mason Nail 'Party Rock Anthem' At Midnight Madness

Midnight Madness 2011: Mark Turgeon Makes His Debut At Maryland Madness

The men’s team was announced at Maryland Madness, and head coach Mark Turgeon made his debut on the floor of the Comcast Center. Turgeon briefly addressed the crowd.

“It’s great to be here. It’s great to be the head coach at Maryland…The reason I wanted to be here is because of all the great coaches here before me. People ask me ‘Why do you want to follow a legend?’ Well I’m here because of Gary…But the number one reason why I wanted to come to Maryland, is because of you, the fans.”

Turgeon also called senior Sean Mosley the most important person in his life right now, outside of his family.

In addition to newcomer Turgeon, big 7’1 Alex Len was introduced, came out and did a cartwheel and then caught an alley oop which he slammed home. Fellow frosh Nick Faust from Baltimore followed Len and came out, went through the legs, and went off the backboard for a jam. The 7’1 Ukranian’s cartwheel was certainly a highlight.

Len, awaiting clearance from the NCAA, had an impressive reverse jam in the scrimmage as well. Turgeon, speaking to CSN’s broadcast team, reiterated that there is still no timetable for Len’s eligibility ruling and did not want to comment further on the issue.

For more on all the local Midnight Madness festivities, visit this StoryStream. For more on the Terps, visit Testudo Times.

Midnight Madness 2011: Gary Williams On ACC Expansion

He may be gone, but Coach Gary Williams still has the best interests of the ACC at heart. Speaking to the media before Maryland Madness on Friday night, Gary addressed the recent spate of conference realignment and the ACC’s decision to add Pitt and Syracuse to the conference. Williams was supportive of the conference’s proactive movements to add two more universities, albeit for football reasons.

Via Patrick Stevens of The Washington Times:

“I think this is different than the last time they expanded and the basketball coaches voted 9-0 not to expand. You can see the clout we had in the ACC. I think it’s very important, basketball-wise, that you get Syracuse and Pittsburgh in the league. The ACC’s right back as as good a conference when those guys come in. Really, I think a great football team, if there is further expansion, would be very important to the league just looking at the league overall.”

As with some of the other heads of state at other traditional basketball powers in the ACC, Williams clearly understood the football-driven movements behind expansion.

PHOTO: Gary Williams At Maryland's Midnight Madness

Midnight Madness: Gary Williams Attends Maryland Madness

It’s the first time since fall of 1989 that Gary Williams will not be on the bench for the Terps. Gary, however, was in College Park on Friday night to support new coach Mark Turgeon and his former players as they kick off the 2011-12 season at Maryland Madness.

Williams spoke to the press, and articulated how difficult it was to be away from the sidelines this time of year.

Via Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Barker:

Gary Williams said this is the time of year he misses hoops — the preseason teaching time. He wore a jacket and tie and was not sweating.

Williams said he planned to see the players from the legendary 2002 team and then he would take off for the evening. The attendance of the National Champion 2002 team already made this an extra special Maryland Madness, but Williams showing up in his first season away fromm the bench added to the excitement of the evening.

PHOTO: Patrick Ewing At Georgetown Midnight Madness

PHOTO: Paul Hewitt Makes His Entrance At George Mason Midnight Madness

Midnight Madness 2011: Georgetown Takes The Floor At McDonough

The Hoyas have kicked off their Midnight Madness event at McDonough Gymnasium. The step team got the festivities under way, but the highlight of the evening is expected to be the long list of notable Hoya hoopster alums scheduled to be in attendance. In addition to Patrick Ewing’s potential attendance, fellow big man alum Roy Hibbert tweeted that he was on his way to campus for the event.

Via Hoya2APacer:

Literally getting into the car bout to go to Gtowns Midnight Madness.

The house is packed at McDonough as fans try to interact with these former stars and catch their first glimpse of the 2011-12 edition. The Hoya Hoop Club tweeted the official shirt of the evening, a Jordan Brand T-Shirt which states:

Via Hoya Hoop Club:

We Are Georgetown. DC Is Our Playground.

In addition to the Jordan Brand shirt for the evening, the official 2011-12 season t-shirt slogan has changed the recent roman number III theme.

Via Casual Hoya:

Guarding the Tradition. Building the Legacy.

It’s a particularly apt slogan with all the former Hoyas on campus this October evening.

Midnight Madness 2011: Patrick Ewing Among Legends Expected To Attend Georgetown's Event

Midnight Madness is a time for past legends to come back and hang out with the current iterations of their college basketball schools, so it should come as no surprise that several former Georgetown basketball greats are expected to be in attendance on Friday night. Patrick Ewing is the marquee name, but several others will be there too, according to Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post.

While you never know with such things, the assumption is that Greg Monroe, Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert will all be attending, along with older stars like Sleepy Floyd, Reggie Williams and Patrick Ewing, whose son’s NBA jersey is being hung on the back wall of McDonough.

Steinberg also wrote that there are "rumors" that Allen Iverson might show up. We'll see about that one, since Iverson's whereabouts are a mystery. With or without Iverson, that's a star-studded lineup for the event.

For more on Georgetown's Midnight Madness, visit this StoryStream. For more on the Hoyas, visit Casual Hoya.

Midnight Madness 2011: Maryland Basketball Starts Season With Blasts From Past

Legendary Maryland coach Lefty Driesell is credited with creating Midnight Madness, even though it originally started as a way to get the team as much practice time as possible. But now it is a pretty big event, and the Maryland basketball team will celebrate on Friday.

The Madness starts at 9:30 in College Park at the Comcast Center, with Comcast SportsNet beginning coverage at 10:30. The big draw is that 80 percent of the national championship team from 2002 will be in the building to celebrate. Lonny Baxter will be the only person missing from that starting lineup. Whether or not they'll suit up in the alumni game is anyone's guess. Considering that it wasn't that long ago and some of these guys are still in the NBA, I wouldn't be surprised to see them throw up some jump shots.

It will also be interesting to see how Mark Turgeon chooses to handle the entrance. It will be his first real introduction to the Maryland crowd, and he will have to choose whether to execute an extravagant entrance like his predecessor had a habit of doing.

For complete coverage of Maryland Madness and the Terps, visit Testudo Times.

VIDEO: Georgetown Basketball's Midnight Madness Trailer

Midnight Madness 2011: New Head Coach Paul Hewitt Opens Season With Mason Madness At Patriot Center

With new coach Paul Hewitt leading the charge, George Mason opens the season with Mason Madness on Friday night.

Midnight Madness 2011: George Washington Opens New Season With Colonials Invasion Friday Night

The 2011-2012 season for the George Washington Colonials tips off Thursday night with Colonials Invasion at the Smith Center

Midnight Madness 2011: Georgetown Event Highlighted By Dunk Contest, Greg Monroe Ceremony

This year's event starts at 8:30 Eastern; GUHoyas.com will offer a free live stream.

Maryland Madness TV Schedule: CSN To Provide Coverage

This year's edition of Midnight Madness--which kicks off Friday, Oct. 14 at 10:30 P.M.--won't begin at midnight, but it will celebrate the tradition's 40th anniversary. And in case you'd rather enjoy the festivities through your television set rather than in College Park, you'll be able to do so. Comcast SportsNet will cover the event live starting at 10:30, the school announced via Twitter.

The main event begins at 11:00, and it's not to be missed, given the star power involved. Four of the starters on the Terrapins' 2002 national championship squad--Steve Blake, Juan Dixon, Byron Moulton, and Chris Wilcox--will be there. Former No. 2 overall NBA Draft pick/NBA Rookie of the Year award-winner Steve Francis will attend, as well as current Memphis Grizzlies point guard Greivis Vasquez, just one year removed from his final season in College Park.

For complete coverage of Maryland Madness and the Terps, please visit Testudo Times.

Maryland Midnight Madness: Steve Francis Returning For Alumni Game, Greivis Vasquez Wants In

The festivities for "Maryland Madness," the Maryland basketball version of midnight madness to kick off the college basketball season on Friday night, is coming together. Already, the alumni game was featuring four of the five starters from the Terps' 2002 NCAA championship team. Now, a couple other prominent former Terps will be involved.

According to a team press release, Steve Francis, Eric Hayes and Jerrod Mustaf are also expected to be playing in the game, which is scheduled to begin at 10:30 p.m. on Friday. Those two will join Juan Dixon, Steve Blake, Byron Mouton and Chris Wilcox.

There might be one more recent alum as well. Upon hearing the news, Greivis Vasquez expressed his desire to play in the game.

Vasquez, of course, was the 2009/10 ACC Player of the Year and currently suits up for the Memphis Grizzlies. The Terps retired his uniform last year.

For more on Maryland Madness and the Terps, visit Testudo Times.

Four Members Of 2002 Championship Team Returning For Maryland Madness