Big Blue Madness makes roaring return to Rupp
By KEITH TAYLOR Kentucky Today
LEXINGTON , Ky . ( KT ) — The roar is back with a lot of noise at Rupp Arena Friday night .
Unlike last year when the stands were bare and a scaled-back Big Blue Madness was shown on television because of the COVID-19 pandemic , the fans returned wearing masks as the University of Kentucky unveiled its men ’ s and women ’ s basketball teams during the annual event .
“‘ Wow !’” Kentucky coach John Calipari said in his address to Big Blue Nation . “ Can I say how much I have missed that roar ? What an incredible night to celebrate the return of college basketball . … I challenge ( Big Blue Nation ) to come together like never before and take it to another level ( this year ). We missed you last year .” Although the arena wasn ’ t filled to capacity , the fans were anxious and excited to see the Wildcats for the first time this season as the men ’ s and women ’ s basketball teams were introduced ahead of the upcoming season . Both teams took part in shooting contests and brief scrimmages . CJ Frederick won the 3-point shooting competition and Jacob Toppin defeated Daimion Collins and Kareem Watkins in the slam dunk competition . Blair Green topped Rhyne Howard in the girls ’ 3-point shooting competition .
Former Kentucky players Darius Miller , Jodie Meeks , Wayne Turner , Jack Givens , Dale Brown and Dominque Hawkins were in attendance . Calipari also welcomed the family of late player Terrence Clarke , who was killed in a car accident last summer . Lance Ware presented Clarke ’ s family with a pair of Nike sneakers bearing his image and No . 5 , the number of the jersey he wore while he played with the Wildcats last season .
Former women ’ s basketball coach Matthew Mitchell made a name for himself during his tenure with dazzling dance moves ,
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Keion Brooks throws down a dunk during Big Blue Madness Friday night at Rupp Arena .
( Kentucky Today / Tammie Brown )
6- 2021-2022 NCAA Division 1 Basketball