Mizzou Madness begins Friday evening to kick off basketball season

The basketball season for the Missouri Tigers will get under way Friday night with Mizzou Madness putting the team on a big stage for all to see.

Broadcast live on ESPN3 and highlighted on ESPNU, the event at Mizzou Arena will represent one of many schools to partake in ESPN's annual Midnight Madness to celebrate the first day the NCAA allows men's and women's basketball teams to begin practice.

As new members of the SEC and disappointing finishers of a strong 2011-12 season, the Tigers have drawn national interest and the ensuing spotlight.

Missouri's men's basketball team spent the entire 2011-12 season in the AP Top 25 after beginning the season as No. 25.

After beginning the season 14-0, the Tigers finished the season 27-4 and blew through the Big 12 Tournament to earn a No. 2 seed in the 2012 NCAA Tournament. However, they were shocked in the first round by Norfolk State, becoming just the fifth team and first in 11 years to lost in the first round after earning a No. 2 seed.

Mizzou Madness is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. CT before tip-off of a scrimmage beginning at 7 p.m. CT.