Former walk-on top choice for this year’s Madness superstar

For each of the last two years, a relative unknown has transformed himself into a scrimmage superstar during Big Blue Madness.

Unheralded recruit Morakinyo Williams shined in 2007. Matthew Pilgrim, a transfer player who had to sit out last season, wowed fans with his performance in 2008. Teammates pegged senior guard Mark Krebs, a former walk-on, as a candidate to break out in this year’s scrimmage at Big Blue Madness.

Krebs registered just 25 minutes all of last season, but survived the housecleaning new UK head coach John Calipari did when all the other walk-ons were cut after his arrival.

“The past three years, he hasn’t been playing much,” senior forward Perry Stevenson said. “But he’s gotten a whole lot better.”

Even though he fits the mold of a Big Blue Madness breakout star, he was still surprised that his teammates chose him as the leading candidate to exceed expectations in the scrimmage.

“I hope I surprise (the fans),” Krebs said. “I do the same thing every time. I just try to go out and have fun and play as hard as I can and I hope everything works out, but I’m glad they said that about me.”

Junior forward Josh Harrellson named some more conventional candidates as players who could shine Friday night. He said highly-touted freshmen John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins should put up impressive performances.

Krebs accepted the praise from his teammates even though the distinction of being a standout at Big Blue Madness might be considered a dubious honor: Williams saw little playing time in his freshman season before transferring to Duquesne and Pilgrim left the program for Oklahoma State after last season before he even became eligible to play for the Cats.

But Krebs wasn’t worried about that, and neither were his teammates.

“I think that’s a coincidence,” Stevenson said. “(Krebs) will be here.”

For a Kentucky native like Krebs, any time he gets on the court at Rupp Arena is special. He approaches every game, practice or scrimmage the same.

“It’s the most amazing thing to see so many fans out there to see you,” Krebs said. “It’s so awesome to see that.”

Krebs’ plan is to go out and enjoy himself. After working as a walk-on for three years and finally earning his place on the team, he brings a different perspective than any of the returning stars or hyped freshmen.

“I’ve always got the same philosophy,” Krebs said. “ I just go out there and have fun.”