Importance of Midnight Madness

[BigMike]

Below are lists of all the players I know of that came to MM last year and you can definitely see the importance of this event to recruiting. The last two yrs have been outstanding - any word on what HoyaBlue or any other groups are planning for this year - any surprises - An Iverson/Mourning etc... appearance would be nice, but having Roy unveil his jersey on the wall would be pretty great also (hoepfully his NBA schedule allows it). Bascially just wondering if the planning started yet?

2008: Greg Monroe, Chris Braswell; Henry Sims; Jason Clark; Renaldo Woolridge; Gus Gilchrist

2009: Hollis Thompson; Isiah Armwood; Karron Johnson; DeShonte Riley; Terrell Vinson

2010:Tyler Thorton; Jason Morris; Markel Starks; Eric Johnson; Josh Hairson

[MCIGuy]

Only thing I'd point out is that Sims and Clark had committed long before the 2008 MM. However its possible they attended the 2007 MM.

[theexorcist]

There will be dancing, right? What are the kids now dancing to? Is M and M still popular?

[justabballfan]

When is Midnight Madness, and where does it take place at?

[TBird41]

Sept 26, 2008 13:59:59 GMT -5 @justabballfan said:

When is Midnight Madness, and where does it take place at?

Oct 17th in McDonough

[Dhall]

Sept 26, 2008 13:01:46 GMT -5 BigMike said:

Below are lists of all the players I know of that came to MM last year and you can definitely see the importance of this event to recruiting. The last two yrs have been outstanding - any word on what HoyaBlue or any other groups are planning for this year - any surprises - An Iverson/Mourning etc... appearance would be nice, but having Roy unveil his jersey on the wall would be pretty great also (hoepfully his NBA schedule allows it). Bascially just wondering if the planning started yet?

2008: Greg Monroe, Chris Braswell; Henry Sims; Jason Clark; Renaldo Woolridge; Gus Gilchrist

2009: Hollis Thompson; Isiah Armwood; Karron Johnson; DeShonte Riley; Terrell Vinson

2010:Tyler Thorton; Jason Morris; Markel Starks; Eric Johnson; Josh Hairson

Since kids can only attend one MM, they are naturally going to choose schools that already have a lead or are in their top 2 or 3 I'd think. So looking at the stats you provide, I wouldn't say our MM has been that successful in sealing the deal at all. It's hard to imagine that attending a MM in a high school level gym like McDonough is very impressive compared to the shows that other schools put on, but the type of kid we are targeting probably just doesn't care.

[vcjack]

Sept 26, 2008 16:32:49 GMT -5 Dhall said:

Sept 26, 2008 13:01:46 GMT -5 BigMike said:

Below are lists of all the players I know of that came to MM last year and you can definitely see the importance of this event to recruiting. The last two yrs have been outstanding - any word on what HoyaBlue or any other groups are planning for this year - any surprises - An Iverson/Mourning etc... appearance would be nice, but having Roy unveil his jersey on the wall would be pretty great also (hoepfully his NBA schedule allows it). Bascially just wondering if the planning started yet?

2008: Greg Monroe, Chris Braswell; Henry Sims; Jason Clark; Renaldo Woolridge; Gus Gilchrist

2009: Hollis Thompson; Isiah Armwood; Karron Johnson; DeShonte Riley; Terrell Vinson

2010:Tyler Thorton; Jason Morris; Markel Starks; Eric Johnson; Josh Hairson

It's hard to imagine that attending a MM in a high school level gym like McDonough is very impressive compared to the shows that other schools put on, but the type of kid we are targeting probably just doesn't care.

Yes because Maryland has gotten suuuch a big recruiting advantage from having Gary ride in on a rented Ferrari and having flames shoot out his ass

I think why our Midnight Madnesses are so sucessful is the fact that they give recruits a feel for the genuine and organic excitment there is when it comes to Georgetown basketball. I imagine if we really wanted to we could rent out the Phonebooth for it but we really don't need those gimics

[HoyaSinceBirth]

I think our midnight madness is great at showing one thing loud and clear. The student support is amazing. I feel like it's an incredibly fun environment and shows how much Georgetown cares about basketball.

also I think that you first point is only true for kids in that next class or 2. So it's really only true this year for 2009 and 2010 recruits. any 2011 kids or beyond will just be there because we're the local show( and better than maryland). So the 2010 kids in bigmike's list really hadn't really thought much about their school choice yet. they're just all local.

[BigMike]

I think having it at McD is actually a big positive in that it has more of a family/comfortable feel - we are one of the few schools that doesn't have to blow recruits away with facilities because we have something that almost no other school's can compete with - a very long list of very successful NBA pros. I know Midnight Madness is not going to a major factor for many prospects but from all the articles it seemed to be a big positive for Greg Monroe and I think some of you may be down playing it too much.

Having a graduate from the prior yr come unveil their NBA jersey along with having an NBA all-star from the past, along with having a wall of NBA jerseys reinforces what we have done as a program.

Not to mention the fact that it is probably a lot of fun to be in a packed gym having your potential future classmates cheer for you to come to their school.

It seems like a good recruiting tool to me and I hope we continue to put a lot of effort into - if not for recruiting purposes just because it can be a great way to start off the season when it's done well.

[RBHoya]

Sept 26, 2008 16:32:49 GMT -5 Dhall said:

Since kids can only attend one MM, they are naturally going to choose schools that already have a lead or are in their top 2 or 3 I'd think. So looking at the stats you provide, I wouldn't say our MM has been that successful in sealing the deal at all. It's hard to imagine that attending a MM in a high school level gym like McDonough is very impressive compared to the shows that other schools put on, but the type of kid we are targeting probably just doesn't care.

Point #1: In addition to what Big Mike points out... we landed Chris Braswell, Jason Clark and Omar Wattad almost immediately after Midnight Madness 2006, and we landed Austin Freeman right after Midnight Madness 2005. Combine that with that with the 2008, 2009 and now 2010 recruits who have committed after Midnight Madness, and it's a pretty good track record. I'd also add that Isiah Armwood, Karron Johnson and Terell Vinson (who still may yet end up a Hoya) were NOT at Midnight Madness last year and Gus Gilchrist most likely would have been a Hoya but did not want to share spotlight with Monroe (plus other factors).

Point #2: It's not completely true that kids can only attend one midnight madness. Majority of schools do have their event on that same friday night, but there's a decent number of schools that do it a little differently. Since the deadline to start practicing is no longer at midnight anymore, some teams have practice for that first week or so and then have their event the next friday. Some teams may even have practice for 2 weeks and then they have an intersquad scrimmage thats open to the public and that serves instead of a "Midnight Madness" like we have. And of course, some schools don't have any like event. For the big football schools, the fan base is excited about football from now through the end of football season, and basketball is in the backseat. Where as Georgetown tries to get basketball recruits to visit for Midnight Madness, SEC schools and other big football schools try to get hoops recruits to come on a weekend when they have a big football game.

Point #3: I think you undersell our midnight madness quite a bit. Not to say that there's nothing to your "kids who come to our MM are probably Georgetown leans already" idea. It's probably true in a lot of cases, but not necessarily all. But I must say, I really think our midnight madnesses are excellent. Is McDonough Gym a subpar facility for practice? Yes. But for Midnight Madness it actually works really well. We pack the people into there like sardines and the fact that it's not a big building means that the sound level gets really high. I think the average recruit says, "ok this is about even with the practice facility I had in high school, but I'm going to play games in an NBA arena" and that's about as much consideration as that issue gets. However, they see people lined up (5 or 6 people wide) all the way from the front of McDonough, around the tennis courts, and up to Kehoe field, and they think "wow, the students hear are really into basketball." They feel the party atmosphere when groove theory, step team etc perform, plus the DJ spins all the best hip hop/party beats throughout the night, and they think "Wow, this place seems like a lot of fun for a school that's supposed to have great academics." And then of course when the roof nearly blows off when the basketball players are announced, I think they once again see what a big deal basketball is at Georgetown.

Really, I totally understand why people dislike McDonough and see the need for a better facility. But for Midnight Madness I think it works out pretty well actually because we just totally pack it to the gills with students and it ends up getting EXTREMELY loud. And between the DJ and the performances and everything, I think our show actually IS pretty good.

[lichoya68]

the REALLY important question is jerry rices kid still on the hilltop willl he show his improved patrick taught dance moves and will patrick be able to be in town and be back to teach jerry rice some more cool moves so the recruits will see its about MORE than just the bball GO HOYAS IS IT FEBRUARY YET

[hoyasaxact]

According to Jerry Rice's autobiography (which came out last year), his daughter was taking a year off to try to pursue a career as a singer/actress. Not sure if she decided to come back or not.

But that was awesome when he showed up last year!

[CTHoya08]

I think RB really hit it on the head in describing what makes MM such a great experience here. The McDonough sound system can sound a little rough when the volume is at or near maximum, but other than that the facility is very well suited to the MM event.

[lichoya68]

so if shes on sabatical JERRY RICE CAN STILL COME AND DANCE WITH PATRICK lets do it pat come on back go hoyas go mm

[RDF]

It also helps that Georgetown is a BASKETBALL SCHOOL---and everyone loves/cares about basketball. Some think it's a help that schools bring in guys for "big football games" but it's how you sell your program--and to me--you say Big East Conference--you think basketball. You know the Hoyas are all about hoops and that enviornment does nothing but support how important the Hoyas are to the fans/University.

[DFW HOYA]

Sept 27, 2008 14:48:59 GMT -5 RDF said:

It also helps that Georgetown is a BASKETBALL SCHOOL---and everyone loves/cares about basketball. Some think it's a help that schools bring in guys for "big football games" but it's how you sell your program--and to me--you say Big East Conference--you think basketball. You know the Hoyas are all about hoops and that enviornment does nothing but support how important the Hoyas are to the fans/University.

I sincerely hope not.

[MCIGuy]

Sept 27, 2008 14:50:34 GMT -5 DFW HOYA said:

Sept 27, 2008 14:48:59 GMT -5 RDF said:

It also helps that Georgetown is a BASKETBALL SCHOOL---and everyone loves/cares about basketball. Some think it's a help that schools bring in guys for "big football games" but it's how you sell your program--and to me--you say Big East Conference--you think basketball. You know the Hoyas are all about hoops and that enviornment does nothing but support how important the Hoyas are to the fans/University.

I sincerely hope not.

What? Is it still a wannabe football school or something?

[jerseyhoya34]

Basketball is the flagship athletic program of our University. Many of the other programs depend on it financially, if not otherwise. If you asked 100 people what our flagship sport is, I think you'd find near unanimity. If not, you've likely been talking to a coach.

Attendance at a single basketball game may very well top the attendance at all home football games COMBINED. Attendance today for home football was a hair over 2200, not enough to fill the student section at a home basketball game.

[SirSaxa]

I don't think that was DFW's point.

My guess is, he meant that GU is an academics first school. And a world class one at that.
He is correct in that. We always have to put academics first, at JT did when he first arrived with his deflated basketball in 1972.

As for sports programs, I don't think anyone would doubt that GU's best known sport is men's basketball.

[MCIGuy]

Sept 27, 2008 16:22:24 GMT -5 SirSaxa said:

I don't think that was DFW's point.

My guess is, he meant that GU is an academics first school. And a world class one at that.
He is correct in that. We always have to put academics first, at JT did when he first arrived with his deflated basketball in 1972.

As for sports programs, I don't think anyone would doubt that GU's best known sport is men's basketball.

Well, what did RDF write that indicated the school was NOT about academics? When he wrote the word "Hoyas" he's almost automatically referring to the athletic side of the institution. I don't think he was suggesting the most important aspect of the university among its alum, administrators, teachers and current students is basketball.

Nonetheless it still feels as some folks are ashamed that the school is still often viewed by folks from the "outside" as a place that has produced great basketball teams. You think the folks of Notre Dame worry too much that many average Americans don't give a hoot about its academic prowess but instead think more of its legendary football status? Are people from Duke concerned that their bball team overshadows the academic stature of their fine school? I'm sure there are some but with all due respect I just can't imagine any Duke alum who helps run a Blue Devils message board reacting in the same manner that DFW did to RDF's post.