Big Blue Madness 2025 featured many memorable highlights.
LEXINGTON – October 11, 2025 – Bradley Charles
The 2025 edition of Big Blue Madness will be remembered as potentially the best one ever. The highlights included John Wall doing a remake of the John Wall Dance from his 2009 BBM introduction, and Jordan Smith singing You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive during Trent Noah’s introduction.
In addition to those moments, there were numerous others throughout the night that culminated in a tremendous Big Blue Madness. Multiple UK men’s basketball coaches – including head coach Mark Pope – appeared in the upper deck to select fans who would participate in BBM. Several men’s basketball players even made their way into the upper level to handout Nike shoes.
There was a strong Central/Eastern Kentucky theme throughout the night. Several of the fans selected by the coaches introduced themselves as being from places in Eastern Kentucky. In addition to Noah’s introduction that referenced Harlan, Ky., he also won the 3-point contest and posed with Wall at the trophy presentation. Kentucky natives Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno received loud ovations in their first Big Blue Madness as a Wildcat.
While Noah won the 3-point contest; the dunk contest was won by Collin Chandler, who received a lob on his second dunk from Wall. The one-handed slam was a thing of beauty. It was followed by Chandler and Wall doing the John Wall Dance underneath the goal.
There was even a moment when Brandon Garrison asked BBN to sing Happy Birthday to his young son, which the crowd seemed to really enjoy. Another light-hearted moment occurred when a fan came close to connecting on a full-court putt for $25,000. Following a close miss, the fan selected Chandler for the celebrity shot on her behalf. Chandler also delivered a very close miss.
The closing moments of Big Blue Madness did not disappoint either as dozens of former UK MBB players made their way to the court. Former UK head men’s basketball coach Orlando “Tubby” Smith joined the former players. Smith received a tremendous ovation from the crowd; which included a “Tubby” chant.
With the former players and Smith still on the court, a fan attempted a half-court shot with the chance to earn $25,000. The first and second attempts missed, but Mark Pope gave the fan a third chance by personally putting $5,000 on the line. Shortly after that, Kam Williams was selected to take the official last attempt. Williams connected on the half-court shot, which looked good all the way.
While the men’s basketball team closed out the night; it began with the UK women’s basketball team introducing itself to the crowd. UK head coach Kenny Brooks was joined by former UK women’s basketball standout Makayla Epps. The women’s basketball team went through multiple drills/events, which included returner Amelia Hassett winning the 3-point contest.
Ultimately, it was without question a phenomenal Big Blue Madness. There was obviously a very strategic and meticulous plan for the event, which was focused around fan engagement and showcasing appreciation for BBN.
