Big Blue Madness: Preview, How to Watch, More

After a long offseason, Kentucky Basketball takes center stage tonight at Big Blue Madness. It’s hard to believe we’re entering John Calipari’s 15th season as head coach; in many ways, it feels like he is returning to his original formula. The 2023-24 Wildcats feature the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class chock full of five-star freshmen and a surprise late addition, 7-2 Croatian sensation Zvonimir Ivisic. Sophomore Ugonna Onyenso and Adou Thiero return for another season, as does super senior Antonio Reeves, the 2023 SEC Sixth Man of the Year. Grad transfer Tre Mitchell also joins the fold to provide experience and depth in the frontcourt.

We’ve already gotten a sneak peek of the team at the GLOBL Jam and Wednesday’s Pro Day. Tonight, we’ll get to see them kick back and have some fun in the unofficial tipoff to the 2023-24 season.

As we get ready for the event to begin, here’s what you need to know.

How To Watch

7 p.m. ET | October 13 | Rupp Arena

TV: SEC Network (Tom Hart, Jimmy Dykes)

Streaming: WatchESPN

Join The Discussion (R.I.P. KSR Live Blog)

For the first time in over a decade, KSR will be without its in-game live blogs, a longtime tradition here on the blog. Unfortunately, the company that hosted the KSR live blogs no longer exists, so we are without the machine that made it all possible.

If you still want to interact with the KSR crew tonight, consider joining the conversation on KSBoard. We’re running a special this weekend for Madness and the Missouri football game, so now is the perfect time to try it out.

Take advantage of the KSR+ MADNESS & MIZZOU SPECIAL to get bonus coverage of Big Blue Madness and Kentucky vs. Missouri, including live game threads, practice reports, an in-depth scouting report, and the latest recruiting intel. 50% off the annual price or $1 for 1 month.

Big Blue Madness Storylines

Big Z’s introduction

Zvonimir Ivisic landed in Lexington on Thursday and has been making people feel short ever since. Yesterday, UK announced Big Z’s arrival with a photo of him next to John Calipari, who looks like a miniature version of himself. It would have been neat if Kentucky kept Ivisic under wraps until he walked onto the stage at Madness, but that’s not exactly easy with a player who appears to be ten feet tall. Regardless, his intro tonight could be one to remember.

Surprise guests?

Over the years, special guests have appeared at Madness, including former players and, of course, Drake. We know DeMarcus Cousins and Dominique Hawkins are in town. There are rumblings a few other celebrities will appear at Rupp Arena tonight. Madness is always a spectacle, but more than ever, it’s important to put on a show because…

VIP Recruits in the house

At least eleven high-profile recruits will be in attendance tonight, including Somto Cyril, the lone member of Kentucky’s 2024 recruiting class. If things go well tonight, he could have some fellow commits soon.

Here’s the guest list. Click here for an in-depth breakdown.

• Somto Cyril (C) 6-10, 240 | Enugu, Nigeria (Overtime Elite) – 4-star: No. 51 overall, No. 7 C (2024) – COMMITTED
• Billy Richmond (SF) 6-6, 200 | Camden (Camden, NJ) – 4-star: No. 24 overall, No. 9 SF (2024)
• Travis Perry (PG) 6-2, 170 | Lyon County (Eddyville, KY) – 4-star: No. 88 overall, No. 11 PG (2024)
• Darryn Peterson (SG) 6-5, 175 | Huntington Prep (Canton, OH) – 5-star: No. 2 overall, No. 1 SG (2025)
• Caleb Wilson (PF) 6-9, 195 | Holy Innocents Episcopal School (Atlanta, GA) – 5-star: No. 4 overall, No. 3 PF (2025)
• Darius Acuff (PG) 6-0, 175 | IMG Academy (Detroit, MI) OFFICIAL – 4-star: No. 9 overall, No. 1 PG (2025)
• Jasper Johnson (CG) 6-3, 165 | Link Academy (Lexington, KY) – 4-star: No. 12 overall, No. 1 CG (2025)
• Malachi Moreno (C) 6-11, 200 | Great Crossing (Georgetown, KY) – 4-star: No. 41 overall, No. 4 C (2025)
• Jayden Johnson (SG) 6-5, 180 | Trinity (Louisville, KY) – 4-star: No. 37 overall, No. 11 SG (2026)
• Gabe Weis (SF) 6-7, 170 | Washington County (Springfield, KY) (2026)
• Tay Kinney (PG) 6-0, 160 | Newport (Newport, KY) (2026)

Injuries

The scrimmage at Madness is essentially a glorified layup line, but we know at least three men’s players will not take part. Aaron Bradshaw and Ugonna Onyneso continue to recover from foot injuries (on Wednesday, John Calipari gave a 5-7 week timeline to return). Adou Thiero rolled his ankle at Pro Day on Wednesday and presumably will be out. Whatever scrimmaging we do see will either be 4-on-4 or feature a heavy dose of walk-ons.

50 Years of Kentucky Women’s Basketball

The Kentucky Women’s Basketball program celebrates its 50th varsity season this year, and we’re hearing that Kyra Elzy has something special up her sleeve tonight to mark the occasion. Get ready to see some familiar faces!

For the 50-year celebration of Kentucky WBB, Kyra Elzy brought nearly all of the team’s former head coaches to the Blue Carpet. Really cool way to recognize the past. pic.twitter.com/P8jHsK1h61

— Zack Geoghegan (@ZGeogheganKSR) October 13, 2023

Vote for Big Blue Madness MVP and Dunk Contest winners

The BBN gets to help choose tonight’s MVPs and dunk contest winner. Click here to cast your vote once the contests are underway. My money’s on DJ Wagner to take home the dunk contest title.

Highlights & Rapid Reaction on the KSR YouTube Channel

Can’t watch Madness live? KSR’s got you covered. Shortly after the event wraps up, we’ll share our takeaways on this very website along with highlights and a Rapid Reaction from the crew at Rupp Arena on the KSR YouTube Channel.

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