MINNESOTA STATE MAVERICKS

Mankato, Minn. ---  The Minnesota State University men's and women's basketball teams will inaugurate the  2009-10 season next Wednesday by hosting Midnight Madness beginning at 11:00 p.m.

At the stroke of midnight on Wednesday, Oct. 15, the MSU men's and women's basketball teams will take the floor to begin its  first official practice of the season.

The first 500 fans will get a Maverick Rally Towel courtesy of Maverick Choices.  Free pizza courtesy of Toppers and pop courtesy of Pepsi will be made available to everyone as long as supplies last.  At the end of the night, one fan will have a chance to shoot a shot from halfcourt to win $10,000.

The evening will begin with performances by the MSU cheer and dance team. At midnight, the men's and women's team will each take the floor and go through a warm-up. After player introductions, the two teams will each participate in a 10-minute scrimmage. Two lucky students will then participate in a hot-shot contest with a Maverick player before the night ends with the half-court shot to win $10,000.

The men's squad opens the 2009-10 Nov. 15 against Monmouth (Ill.) beginning at 3 p.m., while the women open their season Nov. 17 against Dana at 7 p.m.