Vols Hoops Set For Market Square Madness on Thursday

With basketball season approaching quickly, the Tennessee Volunteers prepare for their practice fan fest on Market Square in downtown Knoxville.

On Thursday, October 12th, Tennessee basketball prepares for its public practice event to bring on the 2023-24 season. The event is called Market Square Madness, and it takes place in Market Square, an entertainment district in downtown Knoxville.

The city of Knoxville puts a basketball court in the center of Market Square to put on a show for Vol fans, with both the men's and women's basketball teams participating in events. The University of Tennessee viewed last season's market square madness as a huge event and wants to run it again for the second time ever. The event officially starts at 7 p.m. E.T., but fans can arrive at 6:30 p.m. for some sightseeing and pictures with the Vols' mascot, Smokey, and the Tennessee Spirit squad.

The players from both the Vols and Lady Vols will not be the only ones participating in events; fans also get in the action with some contests for them as well. This is all used to help build anticipation and excitement for both the Tennessee men's and women's basketball teams. Both squads are coming from stellar years, resulting in two respective Sweet 16 appearances.

Big names for both teams are coming back, too, and the Tennessee Vols D.J. and emcee Sterl the Pearl will announce them all. He is a former Tennessee quarterback who played for the Volunteers in the 1987 and 89-90 seasons. He played in 35 career games and helped lead the Vols to two SEC Championships in 1989 and 1990. He also was a part of a bowl win every season he was in Knoxville as quarterback. The Vols basketball first game of the season is against Tennessee Tech at home on November 6th. The Lady Vols' first game is at home against Florida A&M in the Food City Center on November 7th. 

Tennessee Volunteers HC Rick Barnes during the NCAA Tournament. (Photo by Caitie McMekin of the News Sentinel)

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