TicketsOct. 12, 2006
-- Former UC Television broadcaster and current ESPN commentator Jim Barbar will be on hand to describe highlights of the action from Fifth Third Arena. The of , George Mason and are the other three schools whose activities will be a part of ESPNU's Midnight Madness, which will be aired that evening from 10:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
ESPNU will broadcast segments of the four campus events, including interviews with head men's basketball coach Mick Cronin, Bearcat Idol, and on-court interaction between the student-athletes and fans.
Aside from gaining national exposure for the Bearcats' basketball programs, the coverage will afford UC fans across the country to get a live look at what Bearcats basketball is all about. The event, emceed by the Voice of the Bearcats, Dan Hoard, will kick off 8:30 p.m. with the introduction of Bronson Arroyo and Chad Johnson, the celebrity guest coaches.
The redesigned Bearcat mascot will be unveiled and members of the men's and women's teams will express their vocal talents in `Bearcat Idol.' A member of the women's team will challenge students and fans in a three-point shooting contest and a member of the men's squad will take on students and fans in a slam dunk contest.
The evening will wrap up with drills and scrimmages by both the men's and women's teams, led by head coaches Mick Cronin and Laurie Pirtle.
Autograph sessions will be held by current student-athletes and select former Bearcats both before and after the festivities. Fans will have opportunities throughout the night to win spectacular prizes, including a big screen television, laptop computer, ipod, and several $500 adidas gift cards.
ESPNU will broadcast six UC men's basketball games this season, starting with the December 2 home match-up against UAB. The full broadcast schedule of the UC/ESPNU men's basketball telecasts is listed below.
ESPNU Broadcasts of Bearcats Men's Basketball
Dec. 2 UAB 4 p.m.
Dec. 13 Xavier 7 p.m.
Dec. 23 NC State 12 p.m.
Jan. 14 at USF 2 p.m.
Feb. 14 at Villanova 9 p.m.
Feb. 18 Notre Dame 2 p.m.