James Crisp / AP

New Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie is introduced to the crowd during Big Blue Madness at Rupp Arena on Friday.

At Indiana, an estimated 13,000 fans were in Assembly Hall to see Eric Gordon, the state’s reigning Mr. Basketball, finally dressed in cream and crimson. There was music, videos and a rap performance from former Indiana football player Lance Bennett.

“This night is one of the grandest places to be at the start of the season,” coach Kelvin Sampson told the crowd after his players were introduced. “I can’t tell you how excited we are to get started.”

At Maryland, the players were wearing rented cream-colored suits, red bow ties and top hats and were ushered onto the basketball court aboard a black 1960 Cadillac convertible. They did a choreographed dance routine, complete with walking canes, and not one was called for traveling.

Not to be outdone, coach Gary Williams emerged from the tunnel behind the wheel of a yellow Lamborghini. He literally drove the lane, stopping right under the basket.

“That’s my ride. Well, I wish it was,” he told the crowd estimated at 15,000.

At Kansas, players arriving at Allen Fieldhouse in Corvettes, Hummers and a black limo for the 23rd annual Late Night in the Phog.

At Memphis, a crowd estimated at 11,500 in FedEx Forum cheered the hoisting of the Elite Eight banner from last season. Public address announcer Chuck Roberts put so much into the introductions of the team, his voice was gone after four players, and he had to call for a substitute.

At Illinois, instead of the usual sea of orange, the 12,000 fans at Assembly Hall wore pink T-shirts to raise cancer awareness. Officials said $47,500 was raised for Coaches vs. Cancer, a joint effort between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

“I feel good to be a part of it, especially since it’s something that nobody has ever done before. I thought it was a great idea,” said freshman guard Jeff Jordan, the son of former Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan.

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