Fifth Third Area was packed after the UC football team upset #18 UCF 27-24 for the highly anticipated Midnight Madness. After a 15-year hiatus, the newly titled Bearcat Madness is back. Bearcat Madness is a chance for fans to meet and watch the UC Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams play for the first time this season. It begins at 12 A.M because that is the time they can officially start team practices. For fans of UC Men’s Basketball, it was a chance to see the team under new head coach John Brannen.
The event was not so much a practice, but a showcase for the fans. Both the Women’s and Men’s teams scrimmaged, but before that they had little contests, like 3-point shooting and dunking, though neither participant, Keith Williams nor Tre Scott made their trick dunks.
After watching the scrimmage, I have to say, this team looks really good. Tre Scott picked up right where he left off last season. He was draining three’s, slamming dunks, and he was playing fantastic under the basket, getting rebounds left and right. Keith Williams looked pretty good for the most part, besides missing dunks, just like 10 minutes before. I am sure he’ll be making them when the season starts. Mamoudou Diarra definitely looks like he improved from last season. He was getting rebounds under the basket and was playing more aggressive. He’s not the only tall guy that looked impressive though. Both Chris Vogt and Jay Sorolla had total control in the paint. Both standing over seven foot, they are going to take the spot that was once held by Brooks. Finally, Jaevin Cumberland, cousin of Jarron, won the 3-point contest and showed he can play just like his cousin. Jarron did not participate in the scrimmage, but after watching Jaevin play, I can tell that when those two get out on the court together it’s going to be something to see. Overall, this Bearcat team looks really good and I can’t wait to see what they do this season.
Here are some highlights from the night.
