Get Ready for... Marquette Madness!

That's right Marquette fans, it's time that tradition we've all been anxiously awaiting. Marquette Madness signals the official start of basketball season with a chance for fans to meet the team and witness a scrimmage and some basketball entertainment.

It will be the first look at the team without Chris Grimm, Joe Chapman, and of course, Steve Novak. It will also be an opportunity to get a look at the newcomers Trend Blackledge, David Cubillan, and possibly Lazar Hayward, who was cleared to practice yesterday. Lazar is expected to attend the event with the team, but it is unknown how much he will participate with only two days of practice under his belt.

The night should also feature a three point and slam dunk contest, just as last year's did. Steve Novak was the runaway winner in last year's three point competition, leaving this year's wide open. The dunk contest award was split between Dominic James and Wesley Matthews, possibly setting up an epic contest this year. Last year, Wesley dunked over his mom. That's right, over his mom. He got his mom to sit in a chair in the middle of the lane, and then proceeded to dunk over her. If I attempted this, I think my mother would kill me. Then again that might be because I'm not 6'5'' and I don't have a great vertical.

So what would a preview column be without a few predictions?

1. Dan Fitzgerald will win the three point contest
Dan is the best three point shooter on the team, and if Lazar doesn't participate he will have little competition. Expect Cubillan to make it competitive, but Danny Fitz will win in the end.

2. Dominic James will win the slam dunk contest

Dominic is an explosive dunker, and looked very good in this contest last year. So did Wesley Matthews, and I think it will be another great battle, possibly even with a second straight tie-breaker round. But I think ultimately DJ will pull it out.

3. The first glimpse of the athletes will be in some rediculous was that's sort of funny, but really only because it's really lame

Last year they all came out as celebrities. It wasn't really funny, but you laughed anyway because it was just so rediculous that you just went along with it. Along those lines, though, what about this: have the players come out as well known people in the Marquette community. This could be great. Dan Fitzgerald could be Father Wild. A really tall Father Wild. Honestly, I have no other suggestions for this, but Danny Fitz as Father Wild, I might actually pay money to see that. Not a lot of money mind you, but a dollar or so.

Well, I hope everyone has a great time tonight. I'll post a recap for those of you that can't make it. Send me questions or comments at marqbball@excite.com