Wildcat fans began lining up 10 days in advance for tickets to this year’s version of “Big Blue Madness.” Wally Clark, the Lexington resident who’s been first in line for tickets the last six years, had surgery on Sept. 27 then showed up first in line again this year on Sept. 28.

“That’s how much I care,” said Clark, who uses Madness to get “up close” to the team since he does not own season tickets.

“I haven’t gotten any further back than the second row in the last five years,” said Jason Ryan from Elsmere, Ky. Ryan arrived Sunday afternoon and was third in line. Wearing a blue and white wig while lounging in front of Memorial Coliseum, Ryan has managed to get the basketball players to autograph a “Wildcat” chair while he waits for Saturday morning to arrive.

The bulk of the tickets will be distributed on Saturday, Oct. 7, at 10 a.m. at Memorial Coliseum. For the first time, seats also will be available via the Internet, at ukathletics.com, to allow those fans outside of town an opportunity to get tickets without traveling to Lexington.

“Since its inception in 1982, Madness had been one of the most fan-friendly events we sponsor for men’s basketball,” said UK basketball spokesman Brooks Downing. “And it’s fans like Wally Clark and Jason Ryan who make Kentucky basketball one of a kind. Now with our Internet presence, we’re hoping we can draw additional fans from around the Bluegrass who were unable to attend in the past.”

Madness will be held Oct. 13. Doors open at 10 p.m.