By Brianna Brents, UK Athletics  Thousands of fans camped out waiting to claim their tickets for Big Blue Madness, and the wait for one of Kentucky basketball’s signature events is finally almost over. As the final hours tick away, fans aren’t the only ones excited.”You know it’s crazy because I’ve been to Big Blue Madness twice so far and for two years you keep seeing yourself on the stage, but you’re not up there yet,” Karl-Anthony Towns said. “I’m just going to be really juiced up; I’m really happy to be up on that stage for the first time actually being introduced instead of just being a recruit.” It has been a tradition since 1982 for Madness to set the tone for the season. It gives all of the fans an opportunity to see the players have fun and show off their personalities, and this is a unique set of young men. “I’m super excited because I’ve been waiting my turn to step on that stage and be able to dance and get everyone hyped,” Towns said. “I’m just glad that tonight I will finally be introduced as a Kentucky Wildcat. I’m trying to get my moves together to do something special but I’ve never been no choreographer, but I’m trying.”Every year Big Blue Madness, which begins at 7 p.m. at Rupp Arena on Friday, is filled with surprises and a lot of dance moves put together by the players. The 2014 edition will be no different.”I’m very excited, I still don’t know what I’m going to do yet, but I’ll probably go over some dance moves before I walk out there,” Dakari Johnson said. “I told the freshmen if they are going to dance, then commit to it, because you don’t want to go out there in front of all of the fans and suck. It’s all about having a lot of fun and showing the fans a good time.”Most of the players want fans to be surprised for the dances they have prepared, while others are just excited to be in the moment and see all of the fans rooting them on.  “I think I might just freestyle,” Marcus Lee said. “Some people just get into it like, ah, I’m not going to do anything. And then they see the lights and their like, alright, I’ve got to do something. So that’s kind of what I saw happen with Dakari. I think he’s going to prep a little more this year.”The players have been working extremely hard and growing as a team to make this an unforgettable season.  For Willie Cauley-Stein, Madness takes on special meaning this year since he was unable to play on UK’s Big Blue Bahamas tour.”The season is here, and being hurt and being able to come back and see all of the fans is a good feeling,” Cauley-Stein said. “Once you see all of the fans going crazy that’s when you know it’s time to get going again, and that’s the most exciting part about having Big Blue Madness.”Among the 23,000-plus fans in attendance will be plenty of the players’ family and friends, including a big group supporting the Harrison twins. That might draw a dance out of UK’s normally reserved point guard.”I hope everyone has a good time,” Andrew Harrison said. “It’s going to be a fun atmosphere and a lot of entertainment. I’m a simple guy but I may do a little something.”For fans unable to make it to Rupp Arena, Big Blue Madness can be seen live on ESPN3. Madness will also be featured as part of ESPNU’s whip-around coverage and a one-hour replay of the two-hour event will air on the SEC Network at 11 p.m.