Jim Williams » Former Terps star Branch is ready for the Madness
By: Jim Williams
Examiner Sports Columnist
10/15/09 10:40 PM EDT
 |
| Midnight Madness has a carnival atmosphere, according to former Terps star and ESPN analyst Adrian Branch. |
Adrian Branch will be sitting in a studio Friday night with ESPNU anchor Lowell Galindo and Andy Katz as the trio brings fans Midnight Madness action from across the country.
The coverage will showcase Georgetown and begin at 9 p.m. on ESPN2, which will simulcast ESPNU's coverage from 11:30 p.m. until midnight.
Branch, a former star at DeMatha High School, was a member of the University of Maryland 1984 ACC Championship team. He went on to win an NBA title in 1987 with the Los Angeles Lakers, a team that included Hall of Famers Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy and coach Pat Riley.
Based in Charlotte, Branch now is an ESPN college basketball analyst. We talked about how Midnight Madness has changed over the years.
JW » What was it like playing for "Lefty" Driesell, founder of Midnight Madness?
Branch » "It was great. Coach Driesell wanted to get a jump on the start of fall practice and at the same time give the students the opportunity to watch us play. So we would have our annual Red vs. White game and it was fun. We would just run up and down the court and shoot. The students, your friends and family all enjoyed it. Then come Saturday morning, the next day, we were having regular, tough, get ready for the season practice."
JW » How has Midnight Madness gotten better over the years?
Branch » "It has become like a night at the carnival. It is a true celebration of basketball for the students, the alumni, and now [also] fans from all over the country who can watch the action with us on ESPN and ESPNU. We will give fans a chance to see what is going on at No. 18 Georgetown, where I really think they are in for a big year. We will also cover No. 1 Kansas, No. 2 Michigan State, No. 5 North Carolina, No. 7 Kentucky, No. 10 Duke, No. 14 Washington and No. 25 Connecticut. Plus we will showcase some women's action at defending NCAA national champion UConn."
Branch is very proud of the University of Maryland, saying, "I think that the Maryland basketball program, with its rich history, is one of the crown jewels in all of college sports. Also to be a part of the Terp teams that started this wonderful Midnight Madness makes covering it all the more special to me."
CSN will be on hand in College Park for a special one-hour look at Gary Williams and Maryland starting at 9 p.m.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this! on washingtonexaminer.com.
More from Jim Williams
Follow The Examiner
