M€N'5 as Midnight Madness displays 'general rowdiness I r was an evening anticipated byboth the men's basketball team and the face-painted mob known as the Rhodes Rowdies. For much ofthe student body, the evening of Oce. 16 was not just any oth er night; it marked the basketball team's first practice, the official beginn ing of their season. In an evenr known as "Midnight Madness,'" the team got a chance to have some improvisational fun, which involved both fans and players. Head Coach JeffMorgan said the atmosphere for rh e eve nt was more ce lebrawry than competi tive. "It's a first time for us to take the floor for rhe year," Morgan said. "Ie's a time w show off a little bit while showi ng [he fans how much we appreciate them." Midnight Madness fell during ClubWeek this year. Some were afraid the week's activities would draw students away from the even[. However, prior to midnight, all of the social clubs garhered in rhe Rhodes Field House for All C lub Devo and many students stayed for Midnight Madness. "I'm glad all the clubs came in fo t the All C lub Devo and a lor of rhem stayed for M idnighr Madness," Morgan said. "It's an exciting time." Morgan said the tearn spirit this year was high as they looked toward another year of bas ketball. "We have several guys coming back this year," Morgan said, "They're hungry for theyear coming up and working very hard." Eve n though th e Rhodes Rowdies were especially known for their invigorating chants and stimulating cheers, Morgan said he hoped everyone who attended the games would get into this spirir of competirion. " I know a lor of people equate (he Rhodes Rowdies with the people thar paint th eir faces, bU[ to me everybody that comes to the games is a Rhodes Rowdy," Mo rgan said. "Every section has its own personaliry, bur ir's ve ry humbling to see so many people come our and support you." Junior guard Rick H amilton was new to the team. He experienced the Rhodes Rowdies' cheering for rhe first time at Midn ight Madness. SCORECARD Northwestern State' •••••••••••••• •••• L 100-103 Lipscomb ' • ••• .•.• • ••.••.•.•....•.•.•. L 63-81 St, Edward's ' . • .•..•.•.•.•. • • •••••••.• W 91-89 Incarnate Word ' .. •••• • •• ...•••...•••.. L 70-79 Alabama-Huntsville' ••••••• • ••• . 'W 68-55, L 54-71 Ecciesia .••..•..•..•..••.••.••. •• .. •W 109-50 Texas College' .••. ••• ••••..••..•• ..••W 94-71 North Alabama' .•.•••••.•.•.•. W 103-96, L 68-79 Champion Baptist· ••••...••••• ·' ·······W 97-44 Drury' •.••.•.•.••.•.•..•.••••••••••• L 82-85 BYU-Hawai i···· · ············· • • ••• • ••• L 72-75 Hawaii Pacific ' •••....•••••.•• • ••••..•• L 65-67 Central Baptist· •...•••...••..•••••..•W 99-78 Arkansas-Monticello' ..•.•.•..• 'W 87-76,W 79-70 Delta State ' ••••• .• ••••• •..•..•• L 65-78, L 83-87 Ouachita Baptist· •••• • ••• ...••.. L 76-77,W 77-68 Arkansas Tech' .• • .•••••.••..•. W 77-69,W 86-74 Henderson State' •.• • •••••..•••. L 58-60,W 58-55 Southern Arkansas' •••...•••••••W 65-55,W 64-61 Christian Brothers' ••••••••••••• W 64-52, L 71-76 Gulf South Conference Tournament Valdosta State' ••••••.••.•••••••••••• •W 73-72 Henderson State· · ·· · ·················· L 71-76 _ .......84 athletics "The crowd was crazy," Hamilton said. "They were jumping up and down wh en we we re dunking. T hey were screaming and hollering every time we hit a three. It was crazy. From whar I've heard, I expect that [the Rhodes Rowdies] will get everyone hyped." Senior forward Matt HaU had high expectations for this year's season. "I expect to have a really good year as a team, so I think that it will help the fans to get excited about the games," Hall said . "I don't even think you can explain how much [crowd suppOrt] helps us. W ithour them, we wouldn't be nearly as good as we have been and will be." The Bisons ended their season with a record 17- 12. Their season ended with a loss to Henderson State during theGulfSouth ConferenceTournament semifi nals. It was (he flrsr-ever (rip to the GSC semifinals for the Bisons. The season saw the 250th victory for Morgan when the Bisons defeated the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys on Feb. 15. -Andrew Leeper
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