John Calipari was made for Midnight Madness, and Midnight Madness is the perfect opportunity for Calipari to showcase his showmanship.
The latest edition of Kentucky’s “Big Blue Madness” on Friday night was just the latest example.
Kentucky brought back a slew of former players to the event — highlighted by current NBA players Boogie Cousins and Willie Cauley-Stein — to address the crowd, which as always included a group of elite recruits and potential future NBA players.
A long list of former Wildcats also addressed the crowd via a video stressing the program’s family environment: Aaron Harrison, Ron Mercer, Tyler Ulis, Alex Poythress, Tayshaun Prince, Kyle Wiltjer, Devin Booker, Rajon Rondo, Rex Chapman, Brandon Knight, Chuck Hayes, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Eric Bledsoe, Archie Goodwin, John Wall and Nerlens Noel.
Boogie Cousins in the house. #BBN #BBM16 pic.twitter.com/399ORFuSUQ
— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) October 15, 2016
Kentucky hosted a group of recruits that would make for a pretty strong college team — and maybe even a solid but young NBA team.
As Kyle Tucker pointed out, Kentucky’s Madness visitor list included six players ranked among the Top 25 in the class by Scout.com: No. 2 Mohamed Bamba (6-11 center), No. 7 Kevin Knox (6-8 forward), No. 14 P.J. Washington (6-7 forward), No. 17 Nick Richards (6-10 center), No. 22 Trae Young (6-2 guard) and No. 25 Quade Green (6-0 guard).
Kentucky also hosted 2018 stars Immanuel Quickley, Cam Reddish and Romeo Langford plus 2019 guys Christian Brown and Austin Hagans.
“If you come here, you’re probably going to be a pro,” Cauley-Stein told the players.
And that’s exactly the message Calipari wants them to hear.
Welcome to the Family. All the goosebumps. #BBN #BBM16 pic.twitter.com/78EBuynirP
— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) October 15, 2016
(Photo: Herald-Leader)
