Basketball gets to take center stage with football Friday night when Texas A&M combines Maroon Madness with Midnight Yell Practice.
The A&M women's basketball team will tip things off at 11:30 p.m. at Kyle Field, while the Aggie men will follow Yell Practice at about 12:30 p.m. Gates to the event open at 10:30 p.m.
A regulation-size basketball floor will be set-up on the sideline of the east side of Kyle Field. This will be the fifth consecutive year of Midnight Madness.
"It's a great weekend, and it's coming at a great time," A&M men's basketball coach Mark Turgeon said. "I know our guys love Maroon Madness out there in front of the Midnight Yell. They just love it."
Weather could play a part though and force a change of plans.
"It's supposed to be about 48 at midnight tomorrow and if it's that cold, we probably won't do anything," said Turgeon, who spent most of his collegiate basketball career in Kansas. "We'll probably just introduce the guys and let me speak, so we don't risk injury out there. Forty-eight in Kansas isn't that bad but down here in Texas, 48 is pretty cold."
A decision on whether the court will be put down will be made Friday.
"We are holding Maroon Madness a little bit later than normal this year, so our students and out-of-town fans are able to come in for a football weekend and be able to enjoy the total Aggie experience," A&M women's coach Gary Blair said. "It's not only a chance for our fans to attend Midnight Yell Practice and see both the men's and women's basketball teams go through their drills, but more importantly a chance to introduce them to the new players on two basketball teams that have been to four-straight NCAA Tournaments."
The new players include Jeremy Adams, Naji Hibbert, Khris Middleton and Ray Turner for the men and Danielle Adams, Diamond Ashmore, Kristi Bellock, Adrienne Pratcher and Cierra Windham for the women.
A&M's women went 27-8 last season and reached the Sweet 16. The men were 24-10 and made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Maroon Madness is just the first part of a concentrated day of basketball. Both teams will scrimmage on Saturday before the Iowa State-A&M football game, scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
The women will start at 9 a.m., and the men will follow at 11 a.m. at Reed Arena. Admission is free.
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The blame game
