Is Gillispie starting a trend?
Posted by Brooks
As reported this past week, Kentucky took advantage of a 'loop-hole' in the NCAA rules and has moved forward their Big Blue Madness a week earlier than technically allowed. The NCAA rules state that a team can practice two hours a week from Sept. 15 to the official start of practice on Oct. 17 (which is the traditional date of "Midnight Madness"). According to Andy Katz, Gillispie said the Wildcats can use the time for a scrimmage since it's two hours to do whatever they want on the 10th.
This not only sets Kentucky apart, but it also allows for them to bring in other highly recruited players to their version of "Midnight Madness" that might otherwise already be visiting another school's event. Now that Kentucky has stepped outside of the box, will there be another school to follow?
Well, Dan Wolken posted in his blog yesterday afternoon with the following:
Contrary to some reports (and common sense), Memphis is not necessarily having Midnight Madness on Oct. 17, John Calipari told me yesterday. They still have not done any planning yet, and Calipari said they may do it later or earlier (apparently there is a provision for this in the NCAA rules).
