KSR's Big Blue Madness Takeways Other Than Rick Pitino's Appearance
We knew Mark Pope‘s first Big Blue Madness would be unique, but I’m not sure any of us expected that. From start to finish, Big Blue Madness 2024 delivered, from Kenny Brooks’ swaggy walk-out to Mark Pope walking down from the rafters, and Rick Pitino‘s surprise appearance at the end. So much happened that the SEC Network had to exceed its two-hour broadcast window, and it felt cruel that it had to end.
Our heads are still spinning, but we’re reacting to it all. The KSR crew already shared our reactions to Pitino’s appearance. Now, we’re talking about the other big moments from the night.
All the 90s nostalgia
Tyler Thompson: I remember the 1990s playlist that played at Rupp while we waited for Mark Pope’s introductory press conference to begin. Tonight, the 90s vibes kept rolling. Collin Chandler — who has the hair of an NSYNC-era Justin Timberlake — made his entrance to “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys. I know Kentucky superfan Kevin Richardson must have loved that. It was topped moments later by Andrew Carr coming out to the Macarena, complete with the dance.
Lamont Butler debuts a rap song during player intros
Jack Pilgrim: In a night of firsts, Kentucky’s starting point guard being introduced to his own song and rapping it with a microphone in his hand is certainly one of them. Lamont Butler started in the concourse and walked down the lower bowl and out on the floor where his teammates gathered around as he dropped bars about the Wildcats and closing out his career in Lexington.
“Amari and BG on the rim, and I bet they hang. I don’t even have to shoot my shot, I just catch and bang. Outlet, we running up and down the floor, you can’t press us, gang,” Butler rapped. “I can’t wait to play in Rupp, I just count the titles. All the girls come and say, ‘Hi Kerr!’ like some mountain climbers. Too many people say they’ve got motion, it’s a thousand liars. Travis’ jumper got good mechanics like he’s mounting tires.”
We’re pretty sure Butler lip-synced the whole thing, but it’s the thought that counts. Bonus points for creativity — and rapping about the entire Kentucky roster. Good teammate.
The Popes have style
Zack Geoghegan: Mark Pope and his wife Lee Anne waltzed down the Blue Carpet together prior to the start of Big Blue Madness. They were, understandably, the last two guests to make the short walk in front of dozens of cameras and lights. But as they say, you save the best for last. And the Popes used that moment to show off their style.
Lee Anne gave us a rundown of her outfit first. For you fashionistas out there, she was rocking a black “Power K” Kentucky jacket, Cynthia Rowley pants, and Gucci sandals with a black Louis Vitton bag. As for Mark, the head coach was also sporting a “Power K” jacket “from my closet” which showed all eight national title years on the back, along with a pretty sweet pair of black and white Louis Vitton sneakers that Lee Anne made him wear.
Kentucky’s Power Couple working the Power K. These are the things we love to see.
Kenny Brooks oozes swagger
Katie Hutchison: There was a lot of speculation around what Kenny Brooks’ entrance to his first Big Blue Madness was going to be. Fans expected him to make flashy entrances like previous coaches Matthew Mitchell and Kyra Elzy. His answer? Just walking in. It sounds like no big deal, but Brooks walked in the coolest way possible. He took a full two minutes in the Rupp Arena catacombs strutting in a Kentucky Blue OVO jacket. Surrounded by his staff, Brooks met up with Mark Pope and shared a moment. He’s clearly loved by everyone at Kentucky, and after his entrance onto the Rupp Arena court, I have no doubt that his name will go down in history at UK.
The 2 Recruits Chose a Good Night to Visit.
Jacob Polacheck: Kentucky may not have hosted a significant number of recruits for Big Blue Madness, but the two they did host got the full experience. It came on a night that made history with Pitino’s return.
2025 four-star guard Acaden Lewis was on an official visit so most of the attention was on him, but 2026 top 20 forward Anthony Thompson also got to take in the action. They each got to witness a historic moment with Pitino, while also taking in the one-of-a-kind ASB GlassFloor. What more can you ask for on a visit?
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Amelia Hassett, Dazia Lawrence flex their skills
Phoenix Stevens: When Amelia Hassett first got to Kentucky, there were questions about what she could bring to this team, and understandably so. After all, she transferred in from a JUCO school, and now, she’s in the SEC. However, it quickly became apparent that shooting translates at any level, and that’s no exception with Hassett. She, as well as Teonni Key, won the hot spot contest, shooting from designated lit up spots on the ASB GlassFloor. Hassett may end up being a bigger piece here than anyone would have imagined than when she committed in the spring.
Additionally, Dazia Lawrence winning the three-point contest was a nice touch on the night. If she’s going to be on the receiving end of some Georgia Amoore dimes, then she’s gonna have to find the nylon, and she did that tonight.
Former players, including Doron Lamb, came back
Drew Franklin: Pitino stole the show as Big Blue Madness wrapped up. However, he was surrounded by several Kentucky Basketball legends of yesterday. One of my favorites, Doron Lamb, was a surprise guest of the more recent Wildcats on the floor. Willie Cauley-Stein, too. With them were generations of former players from the first national championship through 2012, which, I will note, was won by unsung hero Doron Lamb. The 1996 national championship and the Pitino era were also heavily represented, obviously. The collection of Wildcats was symbolic of the program coming back together with the university and its fan base.
Dancing guy!
Drew Franklin: Mark Pope came out to “Mony, Mony,” a past Rupp Arena classic. But Rupp Arena can’t play “Mony, Mony” without Dancing Guy, who was also spotted at Big Blue Madness. We hopped in a time machine!
The ASB GlassFloor was as advertised
Zack Geoghegan: The ASB GlassFloor was awesome. I was able to get a sneak peek of it a few days ahead of BBM, but I was even more impressed to see it live and in action. The graphics and animations were unbelievably crisp. Hype videos were shown from baseline to baseline. The court transitioned into a football field for Mark Stoops’ appearance and later a golf green for a putting challenge. Pope even teased that it could be Kentucky’s full-time court one day in the future. While it might be best served for events such as BBM for now, it made for a special show in downtown Lexington.
But the best part? No injuries! That’s a win on its own every single time.
Mark Stoops makes Big Blue Madness debut
Jack Pilgrim: Speaking of the ASB GlassFloor, one of its biggest moments of the night came when it transitioned from basketball court to football field and Mark Stoops took the microphone.
And boy, did he have something to say.
Not only did the head coach make clear it was his first BBM at Kentucky, he implied that was not by choice. With a new era beginning for both basketball programs, Stoops wanted it known all coaches on campus are now ‘in this together’ — a not-so-subtle shot at John Calipari following the basketball vs. football school controversy.
“So this is Madness? I’ve been missing this for 12 years,” Stoops told the crowd. “I just wanted to come and welcome Coach Kenny Brooks and his team, and Coach Mark Pope and his team, his coaching staff. We are all in this together. I cannot thank you enough for your support, to our football team and to all of our athletes. Let’s go get it, let’s have a great year. Thank you all so much.”
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