Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Basketball Gears Up For Midnight Mania
10/10/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Oct. 10, 2002
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State men's basketball team has waited a long time for the start of the 2002-03 season. What once seemed far away is now just right around the corner as the season officially tips off on Friday night with MSU's Midnight Mania event "Let The Music Play."
The Breslin Center doors will open at 10:30 p.m. for the free event. The evening begins with an autograph session as the players and coaches will be stationed throughout the Breslin Center concourse. But this year's event will also feature a twist.
A 40-foot by 8-foot banner will be displayed at the Breslin Center. Fans in attendance will be asked to sign the banner, symbolizing their commitment to the Spartan basketball program.
"In years past, you have asked for my autograph," said head coach Tom Izzo. "This year, I am asking for yours.
"Our goal is to take this program to new heights and places we've never been before. Part of an elite program is the great fan support. Over the years, we have enjoyed great crowds at the Breslin Center. With the banner, we are asking for a renewed commitment, while also letting our fans know that they are a part of the program."
Following the autographs, the crowd will be entertained by performances from the Spartan cheerleaders, MSU dance team and MSU band.
Shortly before midnight the men's and women's basketball teams will be introduced. Each player will enter the arena to a song they've carefully selected. For the players, this is always a highlight of the evening.
"Midnight Mania is real fun," said sophomore Alan Anderson. "You get to see all the new crazy fans. Fans get to see the team we have coming back for the first time. The new guys, new faces, who has improved, things like that. For the new guys, they get the feeling of playing in front of thousands of people for the first time. It allows them to get the jitters out a little."
"It's a lot of fun," explained junior Adam Wolfe. "I remember coming in as a freshman where the most fans you've played in front of is 3 maybe 4,000. It's not the same as playing here in the Breslin Center, so it's probably nerve recking for the freshmen and this is a great chance to give them that feeling of playing in front of the fans. It's a great experience and there aren't many places in the country that have a event like this where they pack the house for a midnight scrimmage."
Junior Rashi Johnson will be participating in his first Midnight Mania, although he has been in attendance in past years.
"I was overwhelmed by the whole thing," said Johnson. "The fans were amazing. It wasn't even a real game, but I was amazed at how many fans turned out."
For other Spartans, the event is special in that it symbolizes the opening of the season.
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Even freshman Erazem Lorbek from Slovenia has some idea of what to expect, although he never experienced anything like it in his home country.
""I'm excited," said Lorbek. "I've seen a video of it and it looked like fun."
Whether it's the fans or the players, everyone enjoys Midnight Mania. The evening will conclude with a scrimmage, giving the fans their first opportunity to see the 2002-03 Spartans in action.
