Star recruits visiting for Big Blue Madness

When it comes to recruiting, there are certain styles, visits and personalities that click for prospects. At Big Blue Madness, UK head coach John Calipari and the rest of the Cats are hoping that certain something clicks for everyone in attendance.

Big Blue Madness is a practice put on unlike any other.

There’s a grand entrance of the head coach and team, a dunk contest and a scrimmage that could be considered one of the most relaxed games of five-on-five UK will play this year.

For basketball recruits attending Big Blue Madness, this isn’t their typical campus visit.  The everyday, run-of-the-mill practice or pick-up game taking place on the practice court isn’t there. They won’t see the coach crouched down, barking out orders in his normal practice mindset. They’ll see the program and its fans in a mood of sheer glee.

Though it’s a visit unlike any other they will take, Jerry Meyer, a national college basketball recruiting analyst for Rivals.com, said the impact an event like Big Blue Madness has on a recruit depends on personality.

“Some get into the ‘rah-rah’ stuff, some don’t,” Meyer said. “If they’re captivated by the event, it could be influential. Some are more methodical in their approach. Some are more influenced by the academic personnel and the thought of getting their degrees.”

While recruits are constantly attending games and fans take opportunities to impress, Big Blue Madness is always a little different. In attendance will be some of the most prized recruits in the country.

Among the recruits expected to be in attendance are class of 2010 prospects Tobias Harris, Kyrie Irving and C.J. Leslie; the No. 5, No. 9 and No. 14 ranked players, respectively, in the country, according to Rivals.com. Also expected to be in attendance are 2011 prospects Mike Gilchrist, Quincy Miller and Achraf Yacoubou; the No. 1, No. 3 and No. 76 ranked players, respectively, according to Rivals.com.

In addition, Friday will be fans’ first chance to be formally introduced to UK head coach John Calipari, who has been making headlines weekly outside the court. The combination of the high-profile recruits scheduled to attend and Calipari’s introduction has made 2009 one of the most anticipated Big Blue Madness events at UK since its inception in 1982.

Two years ago current UK basketball players John Wall, Jon Hood and Darius Miller, among others, attended Big Blue Madness. In 2008, Hood was in attendance again, along with another current Cat, 6-foot-10 forward Daniel Orton. Orton, who was ranked a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, committed to UK the day after Big Blue Madness.

Meyer said Big Blue Madness is one of the best madness-type events in the country and that it competes with the other elite programs in how well it’s put on. Meyer said what recruits look for in an event like this varies from person to person.

However, one common denominator that plays a key role in the eyes of recruits is the interaction of everyone present.

“They’re going to take it all in,” Meyer said. “Anytime a recruit steps on campus he’s studying the player-coach interactions, the players by themselves and what they’re like, the fans interactions, and the interactions among the fans, players and coach.”

Though only a glorified scrimmage, Meyer said Big Blue Madness will present the recruits with a unique opportunity to see the different parts of the program all on display at once.

“The event will be more emotional, energy packed and exciting than probably any other visit,” Meyer said.