The University of Cincinnati announced today the men's and women's basketball team will be holding their tip-off event downtown before the football game this Saturday.

From the UC press release:

The free public event at Freedom Way and Joe Nuxhall Way starts at 5 p.m. ET, two hours prior to the UC football game against Memphis at Paul Brown Stadium. It will feature coach and player introductions, team shoot-around sessions, and autographs. Fans in attendance will have the opportunity to meet members of the teams and have a chance to win a pair of season tickets for both UC men's and women's basketball.
Last year, the basketball teams held a similar event in mid-October at Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati named Midday Madness.

"Being a Cincinnati native, I'm happy to be able to get our basketball team out in the community," men's basketball head coach Mick Cronin said. "Our Midday Madness event last year had a great turnout and we are hoping for more of the same this year."

All in all, I think this is a smart move for the athletic department. Do I miss the craziness that midnight madness used to provide? Of course. But having these events downtown helps position the Bearcats as the city of Cincinnati's basketball team. You think Xavier would switch spots with them? In a heartbeat...

I do wish they would have announced this a couple of weeks ago to help better spread the word. I'm sure they were waiting on a few last minute details, but still --- this feels kind of rushed.

On the bright side, though, it's backed up against a football game, so there will be plenty of Bearcat fans already downtown to check it out. Am I salty I'll have to leave my tailgate for a bit? Maybe a little, but I guess we'll just get to the parking lot earlier to compensate.

We'll bring you live coverage from this event, so don't go anywhere.