but second-year coach Kyra Elzy chose a different approach . Elzy made her appearance by rappelling down from the rafters of Rupp Arena and walked onto the floor with her son , Jackson .
While Calipari was excited to be back in somewhat a normal routine , the fan base , including Susan Crews of Marysville , was extra pumped . Crews attended two regular-season games last year , but had never attended Big Blue Madness until her granddaughter snatched up tickets for the prestigious event online more than two years ago . “ This has been on my bucket list to be at Big Blue Madness ,” she said .
It wasn ’ t her first time in Rupp Arena , however . In the two games she attended last year , Crews sat on the lower level and remembered the feeling she experienced last season .
“ It was awesome ,” she said . “( The players ) were so close you could see them when they came by .”
She added that having more fans in the house was a special experience .
“ It was awesome ,” she said . “ I think it ’ s going to be a good year for the Wildcats this year .”
Scenes from
Midnight Madness
Keith Taylor is the sports editor for Kentucky Today . Reach him at Keith . taylor @ kentuckytoday . com or via Twitter at keithtaylor21
8 - 2021-2022 NCAA Division 1 Basketball