One of my most favorite dates of the year: Big Blue Madness.

Before you start judging me, yes, I’m aware of how stale it has gotten over the past few years. Or how it’s “just a dunk contest backed by a no-defense innersquad scrimmage.” Yes, I know. But when Big Blue Madness comes to my mind — even through the recent times — my mind immediately races back to what I grew up in where fans would camp out for days upon days just to get the chance to go and see the brand new team for themselves in person.

Instant nostalgia. Instant happiness. That’s what I think of with BBM so for some reason I always get extremely giddy about it. I feel like a child again. There’s no wins or losses to get stressed over, no arguing over the lineup thrown out on the floor, just solely experiencing the tradition of Kentucky Basketball and I’m here for it all.

Another thing about Madness is that it officially lets you know that basketball season has started and games will be played just right around the corner. The cold outside has likely already set in by this point, we start to get a good feel on what the football team will be like midway through its course, and any opportunity to be inside Rupp Arena is one I just don’t look over. I enjoy it, ok?

Plus, this edition will be much different than the last few. New coach, new staff, and a totally new roster. The whole circus is brand new so I’m sure it’s going to be envisioned in their own way to start off the Pope era in fashionable style. I haven’t heard about anything specific, but to think they’re just going to come out with the same ‘ol stuff again this round I just have a hard time believing that.

The hype videos, revitalized fans in attendance, it will all be soul-filling this year and I cannot wait for it. That day back in April for the introductory press conference and seeing how this fanbase showed up in support, if the season is even half of that, I will be satisfied.

Anyways, with all that being said, the school has announced the official date for it: October 11th. Mark your calendars.

The start time hasn’t been announced but you can bet it will be pretty close to 7:30 PM ET like it normally is.

Do you plan to go this year?

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