The first possible weekend to hold Midnight Madness-type festivities for college basketball programs was this past one. And yet, not many schools took advantage. In fact, I believe Pittsburgh was the only major program to not wait to inaugurate its 2013-14 campaign.
A year after holding its Midnight Madness party outside, in the road, the Panthers bucked conventions again and opted to go with a "Morning Madness" theme, holding an open practice/dunk contest/basketball get-together prior to the Virginia-Pitt football game/Homecoming festivities later in the afternoon. The Panthers' basketball program took to Stage AE in Pittsburgh and brought in a capacity crowd of 4,000 people.
And Jamie Dixon opted to wear, as you can see above, that. Dressing as something called "Uncle Si" from "Duck Dynasty," Dixon was happily received. I don't get the show's appeal, but at least Dixon picked a more contemporary costume for this year. In 2012 he opted for the out-of-vogue Jackie Moon look, going as a character from a poorly received Will Ferrell movie that was released four years prior.
Here's a brief video from the event, Dixon included.
What's crazy: According to Pittsburgh, Dixon is a card-carrying member of the Screen Actors Guild. He had a childhoood that involved doing work in commercials. (Are these things floating around the Web? I can't find 'em.) Alas, Dixon hasn't been prone to show his thespian side outside of these two preseason events. Let's hope that changes soon. Some local business give Dixon a reason to don another costume, STAT.
