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Memorable Moments from Big Blue Madness 2021

Memorable Moments from Big Blue Madness 2021

by Tim Letcher

Big Blue Madness returned to a normal schedule, and venue, on Friday night at Rupp Arena. Thousands of blue-clad Kentucky fans got their first look at the UK men’s and women’s basketball teams, as well as the 24-time national champion cheerleading squad and the national runner-up dance team.

And it was as if the Cats and the Big Blue Nation never missed a beat. The excitement and the passion were evident all night long at the first open practice opportunity for both UK basketball squads.

There are always a number of memorable moments at Big Blue Madness and this year was no different. Here are the top moments from Friday night.

Big Blue Nation Returns

Last year’s Big Blue Madness was a virtual event due to COVID-19 restrictions. But this year, the event returned to Rupp Arena, which was filled with enthusiastic fans. The Big Blue Nation showed their Cats plenty of love and both the men’s and women’s teams put on a show in return.

Shooting Cats

The 3-point shooting contest showed that UK head coach John Calipari will have plenty of options from behind the arc this season. CJ Fredrick won the contest but Davion Mintz, Dontaie Allen, TyTy Washington Jr. and Kellan Grady all had their moments as well.

Toppin Takes Dunk Contest

Jacob Toppin was the winner of the dunk contest on Friday night. Toppin had a pair of of athletic dunks, including a baseline dunk where he caught the ball off the side of the backboard and converted the dunk at the end.

Green Red-Hot

The women’s 3-point shooting contest figured to be the Rhyne Howard Show. But the All-American was topped by her classmate and Harlan County native Blair Green in the finals. Green, who hit 33.3 percent from behind the arc last season, shot it at a much higher clip on Friday night on her way to the victory.

The Elzy “Air”-Uh

Kentucky women’s basketball head coach Kyra Elzy made an entrance to remember on Friday night. After her team was introduced to the Rupp Arena crowd, Elzy repelled from the ceiling of the building onto the floor. She followed that with a dance with her son before firing up the crowd prior to her team’s scrimmage.

Howard’s Tribute to Clarke

National Player of the Year favorite and two-time defending SEC Women’s Basketball Player of the Year Rhyne Howard paid tribute to late UK men’s basketball player Terrence Clarke during Friday’s festivities. Howard wore a pair of custom Nike shoes with a picture of Clarke on the left shoe and his jersey number five, with angel wings, on the right shoe. A similar pair was later presented to members of the Clarke family.

Cheerleaders Shine

The 24-time national champion Kentucky cheerleaders put on a dazzling routine Friday night. The acrobatic Cats were nearly flawless in their five-minute routine that will serve as a warm-up for the Universal Cheer Association national competition in January.

Dance Team Joined by Surprise Guest

The UK Dance Team’s hip-hop routine showed off the skills that led the Cats to a national runner-up finish last season. At the end, the team was joined by Bailey Munoz, winner of the 2019 edition of “So You Think You Can Dance”. It was an electric ending to a great evening.

 

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