Sadness, madness to gladness

It's finally time for some madness. Good. I could use some madness, being deprived of it last March and all. And you know what? That kind of makes me mad.\nI expect the football team to be bad, but not the tradition and legacy that is IU basketball. And believe it or not, that's exactly what they were last year -- bad.\nThere's no way to sugarcoat a 14-15 record in a mediocre Big Ten and missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 18 years.\nBut, Mike Davis has long been touted as a top recruiter and has found some players to fill the gaping holes on IU's roster.\nNot to steal the "new hotness" in political rhetoric, but help/hope is on the way, in the form of five freshmen. \nWe get our first look at the touted incoming freshmen class tonight, and here's what to expect: Robert Vaden will look explosive, D.J. White will be active, James Hardy will be tough (playing both football and basketball will do that), A.J. Ratliff will surprise and Lucas Steijn will look like he belongs in an Abercrombie catalog.\nThis class, while not Michigan's Fab Five of the early 90s, has a look and feel about them that brings a glimmer of hope to Hoosier fans salivating for a winner. The freshman class might have rivaled the Fab Five had Josh Smith decided to attend IU instead of taking the millions and staying home in Atlanta. Unlike most high schoolers who make the jump, Smith actually made the right decision despite being drafted No. 17. He may start for the Hawks. I don't know what that says about Smith as a player or what it means for the Hawks as a team. But even without Smith, the 2004 freshman class brings impressive credentials and high expectations.\nMaybe I shouldn't admit this, but I missed last year's Midnight Madness. They are usually just so boring, and by the time my buzz wears off I don't want to watch a meaningless scrimmage. But I missed out. I missed Patrick Ewing Jr.'s highlight reel slam dunk to win the dunk contest. My buddies came back raving about the slam they couldn't explain. I went straight to the Web looking for a replay and had to watch it 10 times to actually see what he did. \nA friend and I tried to replicate it. I hit the trampoline hard and ended up on the roof. Luckily, I had a nice view through my neighbor's window, so I stayed awhile. Thanks PEJ.\nYou can't forget about the three-point shooting contest. Actually, once the season starts, it's all you think about because you're left wondering why we're 3-15 from behind the arc. Maybe coach Davis should pull a Rodney Dangerfield ala "Ladybugs" and disguise Cyndi Valentin so she can play for the guys' team. She has won the three-point shooting contest two years running and beat the male champion Donald Perry last year. How does Sid Valentine sound? Kinda like a Jersey jewler.\nDon't forget to bring your canned goods to Assembly Hall. And that means corn, green beans and soup -- not Bud, Coors or Natty Light.\nBut remember, at midnight, it's a new day.