Live updates: Kentucky basketball’s Big Blue Madness celebrates dawn of new era

Follow along Friday night as Herald-Leader staff writers Ben Roberts and Caroline Makauskas provide live updates from Rupp Arena, where the University of Kentucky is conducting its annual Big Blue Madness celebration of the opening of basketball practice for its men’s and women’s teams.

Scroll down below to view live updates on Twitter.

A sold out Rupp Arena crowd was to be treated to introductions of both teams, practice drills, videos and more. The event was to be televised live on the SEC Network starting at 7 p.m. and was available online at ESPN.com/watch and the Watch ESPN app.

Among the attractions were the Madness debuts of new men’s basketball coach Mark Pope and first-year women’s coach Kenny Brooks. It was also rumored that Rick Pitino, who coached Pope to a national championship at UK in 1996, could make an appearance.

The event also featured the groundbreaking use of a glass basketball court with interactive LED capabilities to entertain the Rupp crowd.

X.com stream

Click here to view live updates from Big Blue Madness.