Highs, lows at Big Blue Madness

Having had a night’s sleep, let’s review Kentucky’s Big Blue Madness celebration. Feel free to disagree. That’s why we have a comment section.

Highs

– John Calipari. UK’s first-year coach revved up the crowd with a 15-minute state-of-the-program address. He hit all the right notes, paying homage to the program’s tradition and stating (and re-stating) its preeminence. On a tweet Saturday, Calipari expressed his hope that the speech did not drag on too long. It did go on, especially for fans eager to see the players play. But it set a tone for UK basketball going forward.

– UK students. The night’s best touch came when UK students left the E-Rupp-tion zone to crowd around the stage for the introduction of Calipari and the players. Upon arriving at the stage, coach and players slapped palms with students like politicians working a line.

– Josh Harrellson. The big man made four three-point shots during a scrimmage that saw mostly bricks and airballs from beyond the arc. If opponents play zone — and why shouldn’t they? — Harrellson might prove more valuable than expected.

– Matthew Mitchell. The UK women’s coach excels when it comes to interacton with the crowd. He always speaks directly and enthusiastically to the crowd. And, more importantly, the crowd responded. If UK ever wants a Madness ringmaster (and the men’s coach takes a pass), Mitchell is the man.

– John Wall. For being John Wall. Fast. Quick. On the brink of an exciting play. Twice he drove through traffic and dunked, which appears at this early stage to be his signature play.

– Patrick Patterson. He became a high last spring when he decided to return this season. Patterson wowed the crowd with several slam-dunk putbacks.

– UK women’s three-point shooters. Half the team, dressed in blue, made 19 three-point shots in a 40-second span. The losing players dressed in white made a respectable 12 three-point shots in the same time period. Either side might beat the men in a three-point shooting contest.

Lows

– Introduction of players. Where were they? Not everyone in the arena, especially upstairs, could see each player standing on a platform, that lowered to about 30 feet above the stage. From the press box area, you could see the players only from the waste down. Re-think that one, UK.

– Fans who came to see basketball. On Thursday, Calipari noted how the fans came for basketball. He suggested more basketball and less show biz.  Alas, it appeared show biz won again. Madness began on time at 7:30. The men’s scrimmage did not start until 9:13, and finished 27 minutes later.

– Three-point shooting. Aside from Harrellson, the players struggled with perimeter shooting. I counted three airballs. Calipari salvaged the night by grabbing the microphone and candidlly telling the crowd that the players had plenty of improvement to make.

– Patrick Patterson. If he’ll showcase his face-the-basket skills this season, he’s got some work to do. He had one of the airballs from three-point range and impacted the scrimmage in a familiar way: by throwing his weight around at the basket.

– Fans chanting the names of prospects, including Michael Gilchrist more than once, C.J. Leslie more than once and Tobias Harris. According to NCAA rule 13.11.4, such chanting is a no-no.

– Your selfless correspondent for leaving out of his story perhaps the quote of the night. During his address, Calipari told the crowd, “Tonight we turn the page from anticipation to preparation.”