In preparation for the 2014 season, Director of Basketball Operations Kevin Pauga announced on Monday MSU basketball will hold its annual “Midnight Madness” event on Friday, Oct. 24. No official start time has been announced as of yet, but in 2013 doors opened at 8:30 p.m.

Midnight Madness is essentially a pep-rally to build excitement for the upcoming season. The night is usually filled with fun antics and introductions of both the men’s and women’s basketball teams.

In years prior, the event has included a visit from “300” actor and movie screen Spartan Gerard Butler in 2010, men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo donning an ‘Ironman’ suit as he entered in 2012 and Izzo convincing the crowd he would be shot out of a cannon before revealing it was a stunt double last year.

Following the entertainment acts and introductions, the men’s basketball scout team plays the women’s basketball team in a light-hearted scrimmage to end the night.

This year’s Midnight Madness is scheduled the day before the MSU-Michigan football game in East Lansing.

Men’s basketball will kick off its season in an exhibition against The Master’s College on Nov. 3.

—MATTHEW ARGILLANDER