Spartans Kick Off New Season With Midnight Madness
10/17/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Oct. 17, 2003
A Magical Journey Photo Gallery
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Wearing a coonskin cap and a fringed buckskin coat, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo rode out on horseback to kick off the basketball season.
Izzo's entrance at Friday night's annual Midnight Madness event, which was reminiscent of Alamo hero Davy Crockett, symbolized his desire to lead the Spartans to the 2004 Final Four in San Antonio, Texas.
The city also was the site of Michigan State's season-ending loss to Texas in the Elite Eight of the 2003 NCAA Tournament.
Also on horseback was Izzo's wife Lupe, who wore a southwestern style dress and hat.
 Dressed in a buckskin coat and a coonskin hat, Tom Izzo dismounts from his horse.  | |
"This is always a great event because it allows us to have a little fun before it's time to go to work with the start of practice," Izzo said. "It's great to see so many people come out late at night. As a team we enjoy the chance to interact with our fans that are so essential to our success."
This season's players, who were on hand to sign autographs for the over 14,000 fans, got into the act as well.
 Alan Anderson showed his versatility, scoring from the inside, outside and handling the ball. | |
For example, to promote the Spartans' game at Kansas, Delco "The Lion" Rowley, Drew "The Scarecrow" Naymick and Brandon "The Tin Man" Cotton, joined Izzo's daughter Raquel, who was dressed as Dorothy from "The Wizard of Oz."
"This is the best time of the year, not only for us but for the fans," said returning player Kelvin Torbert. "This is the first time they get to see us. It's a real confidence boost to start the season and it's great to let the fans get a good look at the team."
 Paul Davis scored on monster jams and on long-range three pointers. | |
When the clock struck midnight it marked the official beginning of the men's and women's college basketball seasons and the first practice. The women's team took the court for a brief scrimmage, followed by the men's squad.
