Let the countdown begin.On Wednesday, UK announced on Twitter that Big Blue Madness – the annual event that tips off the men’s and women’s basketball seasons – will be on Oct. 18. This year, it won’t be the first practice of the fall because of the NCAA’s extended practice schedule, but it will still be the same show fans have come to expect.Those hoping to attend will be able to obtain tickets on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 7 a.m. ET at the Memorial Coliseum ticket windows or online at UKathletics.com or Ticketmaster.com. Fans wishing to pick up tickets in person can begin lining up at 7 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 2. Tickets will be free, but a small service fee will be applied to online tickets.Additional information about Madness 2013 – including parking, broadcast and start times – will be announced at a later date.