Basketball starts season practices in 'Prime Time' style

The UB men's and women's basketball players opened their seasons on Friday to all the usual fanfare of open scrimmages, shooting contests and a night of fan-oriented fun, but unlike last year's Midnight Madness, this year just didn't have the, well, madness the athletics department was hoping for.

NCAA rules used to state that teams were only allowed to start their first practices of the season before midnight on a certain date, which at many colleges led to the Midnight Madness tradition.

But a change in the rules now allowed the practices to start earlier. UB athletics took advantage of the new rule and threw out Midnight Madness for Must See UB, a two-day series of UB athletics, with "Prime Time Basketball" the centerpiece beginning at 8 p.m.

Though the switch from midnight to 8 p.m. was supposed to allow more people to attend the festivities, the "Sea of Blue" was comprised in majority of empty royal blue seats, not fanatical students.

Some people suggested the events just didn't have the same appeal at 8 p.m.

"It was a little disappointing," said new women's head coach, Linda Hill-MacDonald. "I think the fact that there was a soccer game going on and the volleyball game ended a little bit earlier than anticipated. I understand it was really packed last year. We thought having it earlier, more people would be able to come, families and such. I was pleased with the people who were here."

Men's head coach Reggie Witherspoon said he, too, thought that moving up the start probably conflicted with other activities students had planned. Other schools, like nearby Canisius, still opted to hold their traditional openers at midnight.

"Overall, you've got to be grateful any time you get people to come out," he said. "I think it was encouraging they came out and those who did come out were loud and very supportive."

The festivities began with an introduction of all the players and coaches for the men's and women's teams, with the loudest ovation going to Witherspoon.

Afterwards, Witherspoon said it was fun to be in front of the students again.

"It was good to see (the fans) come out and support us, and it was really good to see the freshmen kind of get introduced to the atmosphere in the building," Witherspoon said. "Overall, I think it was a good night."

After the introductions, Witherspoon and Hill-MacDonald, competed against students in a three-point contest. Witherspoon withstood the pressure and came away victorious. MacDonald was not as lucky as she fell to a last-second buzzer beater.

The players were split into two co-ed teams, one wearing white and the other in blue. Events leading up to the scrimmage included a three-point challenge in which the two teams chucked up three pointers. Whatever team made 21 first, won.

Another challenge paired an athlete with a student in a game in which the duo had to make a lay-up, free throw, three pointer and half-court shot alternating shot-takers.

The scrimmage capped off the night, allowing the teams to finally have a chance to play five-on-five basketball on the main court of Alumni Arena. The women's team first graced the court for a five-minute period followed by the men. Each team was originally scheduled to have two five-minute blocks of action but the scrimmage was elongated for an additional 10 minutes, five more for each team.

Though it was a scrimmage, the players worked up a sweat, and the last minutes of the game saw intensive defense.

Senior guard Roderick Middleton was happy to get back on the court again.

"It feels good (to be in front of the fans again), especially after last year. The type of season that we had and losing that championship game, everybody was just ready to get back out there," Middleton said. "I think tonight was really important. It was really good for the fans and really good for us."

Many students showed up to support both their favorite players and the team as a whole.

One of the newcomers, freshman guard Sean Smiley, made an impression on Jeff Parker, a junior urban planning major.

"Smiley's got mad hops," Parker said. "Whoever made the movie 'White Men Can't Jump' hasn't seen this kid play."

"I like basketball and this is a great kickoff for the season," said Joe Silver, a junior art major. "It's cool that we have a D-I school, and I can see it for free."

Though the crowd for Prime Time Basketball may have been disappointing, high tide is set to roll in for the "Sea of Blue" on November 18 at 6 p.m. as the men and women open their seasons with a double header against cross-town rival Canisius.