Should Juwan bring back Midnight Madness?

Submitted by Wolverine Devotee on May 23rd, 2019 at 4:54 PM

Michigan had was it is believed to be their first-ever Midnight Madness in 1991 when the Fab Five debuted. 

John Beilein was notorious for not being a fan of them. He came up with a cool alternative of selfie night that had the same basis but without the late start time and ballyhoo a midnight madness does. We did one in 2009 but it was at like 8pm and it was shelved after we had a bad year. 

My question is is there any better time to do a Fab Five reunion than then? You can't do it at a game because one of them is, uh, coaching! Midnight Madness hosted by the Fab Five. First look for fans at the team under Coach Juwan Howard. 

Fill the building and have it on a Saturday night the same day as a road football game. Illinois? 

 

brad

May 23rd, 2019 at 5:06 PM ^

I witnessed a tee shirt cannon for the first time at midnight madness in around 1996 or so.  I would bring it back.

HelloHeisman91

May 23rd, 2019 at 5:11 PM ^

Don’t think the reunion will happen at an event like this.  When it happens it will coincide with a nationally televised game against a big opponent. 

MichiganStan

May 23rd, 2019 at 8:24 PM ^

I was just thinking about when they should do it. I think it has to be against an almost guaranteed win

The media is already making a big deal out of the potential for a reunion before all players have even agreed to it so when/if it happens it is going to be a HUGE spectacle. Doing it against a big opponent and then possibly being blown out would be embarrassing for the program

ak47

May 23rd, 2019 at 5:19 PM ^

It would be great if Michigan basketball had the fanbase for it but I'm not convinced we could pack an arena and have a truly hype atmosphere to make it worth it.

jman077

May 23rd, 2019 at 5:44 PM ^

As much as I love the idea, Michigan is lucky to fill Crisler on nights where they are playing basketball. To get enough people to show up to a practice that the atmosphere is good is just unlikely imo. I mean, I'd go, but you'd need to be able to guarantee a packed student section and at least the lower deck entirely full.

Sambojangles

May 24th, 2019 at 8:21 AM ^

If I calculate the NCAA rules for the start of basketball practice correctly, the Midnight Madness would be September 20/21. It's in the middle of football season, the weekend of the game @ Wisconsin, which I think would dampen enthusiasm and potential attendance. While I think it's a great idea and would love to see it as a big event, history would suggest that Michigan fans just don't get excited about these types of things like other schools. OSU outdoes our football Spring game and MSU makes a big deal out of their Midnight Madness. Perhaps the Fab 5 reunion should wait until an actual game.

Alumnus93

May 24th, 2019 at 8:43 AM ^

I attended the first one yet don't remember having to pay ...

And it's hard to bring it back until we get some good dunkers...maybe only Livers right now...

trueblueintexas

May 24th, 2019 at 1:17 PM ^

I liked Beilein's approach, why give up a practice for window dressing when you could actually be practicing? 

For all of those that argue about it being good for the fans. Winning is good for fans.