Oct. 11, 2007

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Well, Tiger Nation, it's nearly here. In a little over 24 hours, the 2007-08 Memphis hoops season tips off with the team's annual celebration - Memphis Madness presented by AutoZone.

The Madness is scheduled for Friday at FedExForum, with the doors to open at 7:00 p.m. (CT). Admission is free, but fans are encouraged to bring canned food donations to assist the Memphis Food Bank. Donation barrels for the Food Bank will be at the plaza entrances of FedExForum.

"We had our final workout Wednesday before we officially begin practice on Saturday, and I have to say I like what I see," said head coach John Calipari. "We have players that are focused and ready for the year to start, and from what I hear, most of our fans are ready as well. It's going to be an exciting night Friday, and I hope our fans pack FedExForum and bring a lot of energy because our players feed off that enthusiasm.

"I'd also encourage our fans to buy the season tickets that are left. In two days, the number of season tickets remaining dropped from 300 to about 250. If you want to see the Tigers in person, you are going to have to purchase season tickets."

Friday's fun actually starts before the doors open to Memphis Madness presented by AutoZone. At 6:30 p.m. (CT), the Memphis band and cheerleaders will perform on the outside plaza of FedExForum. The Madness program begins at 8:00 p.m. (CT) and runs until 9:30 p.m. (CT).

Memphis Madness presented by AutoZone will be televised on a tape-delayed basis by ESPNU that same night from 11:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. (CT).

The following are highlights of the night's schedule of events:

7:00-7:50 pm - Team autographs on concourse
8:10 pm - Chinese coaches introductions
8:17 pm - Lady Tigers introductions
8:23 pm - Tigers introductions
8:33 pm - 2006-07 season video and Elite Eight banner raising
8:39 pm - Three-point contest (Tigers vs. China)
8:47 pm - Dunk contest
9:10 pm - Men's Intrasquad scrimmage