Marquette Madness 2016: Schedule Of Events & How To Watch

It’s the Monday before Marquette Madness, so that means that the athletic department has officially released the details about Friday night’s event. If you’re a smart cookie (and because you’re reading this website, I know that you are), you’ve probably figured out most of what’s going on.

Anyway, here’s the lowdown, straight from GoMarquette.com:

Marquette University men’s and women’s basketball fans will get their first look at the 2016-17 teams on Friday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. when the programs host the annual Marquette Madness event in the Al McGuire Center.

Admission is free, but capacity in the 3,700-seat arena is limited, and doors to the Al McGuire Center will open at 6:30 p.m. Those in possession of a wristband, which will begin to be distributed at 3 p.m., will earn entrance not only to Madness, but also the free Homecoming Block Party across the street from the Al.

While wristbands are not required for entrance to the block party, they will be mandatory for access to Madness. All seating is general admission, but only Gold wristbands will be allowed in the lower bowl and Blue wristbands provide a seat in the upper level.

Got it? Good.

The aforementioned Block Party will start at 4:30pm and includes live music, player autograph sessions (which will be important because there’s no post-Madness session), inflatable activities (for the kids), and pay-as-you-go food options. I didn’t go to the Block Party last year, so if you did, pipe up in the comments about the food.

If you can’t make it down to Madness, you can watch the event on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel in the Milwaukee area. It’ll be hosted by Dennis Krause and J.P. Cadorin, and you’ll get to see interviews with players and “other special guests” (ooooo, surprises!) that people at the Al McGuire Center won’t see. If you make it down to campus too late to get a wristband, you can always hang out at the Block Party, which will be broadcasting the TWCSC feed on a giant screen.

I suppose you’re wondering about the lineup of activities for Madness. Here you go:

• Men’s and women’s team introduction videos and scrimmages
• Dunk competition and 3-point contest
• Student knockout contest final (prelims are at 4pm)
• Performances by Marquette Dance Team/Cheerleaders

The unspoken item on the list is the debut of the new men’s basketball uniforms, which I presume they’ll be wearing for the scrimmages and so forth. I wonder if women’s basketball is getting new gear, too. Michigan’s women’s team did, but they’re also in the first year of a Jordan Brand contract, and MU just updated their look a year ago.