ASU wrestlers participating in Mill Matness in October of 2017 (Photo/ASU Sports Information)TEMPE, Ariz. -- Continuing a long tradition nationwide of celebrating the start of basketball season with a special fan event, Sun Devil men's and women's basketball return to the corner of 7th and Mill Avenue Friday, Oct. 12 at 8:30 pm for Mill Madness.
New last year and with an addition this year, Mill Matness -- featuring the two-time reigning Pac-12 Champion Sun Devil wrestling team and, this year, the Sun Devil gymnastics team -- takes place in the same location the night before, Thursday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 pm.
Both events are proudly presented by Arizona Ford Dealers. The Arizona Ford Dealers are longtime supporters of ASU athletics and are delighted to celebrate the competitive excellence of ASU student-athletes on the field and in the classroom through the Mill Madness/Matness event.
2017-18 was one of the best years in recent history for Sun Devil men's hoops, the last undefeated team in the nation (12-0), advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014 and recording the highest average attendance (10,603) in school history. Women's basketball tied the school records for consecutive NCAA appearances and 20-win seasons (five) a season ago.
Last season, ASU wrestling had their first NCAA champion since 2011 (11th all-time) in Zahid Valencia, their first top-10 finish at NCAA's since the same year, and won the Pac-12 Championship for the second consecutive year behind six individual champions.
Gymnastics, on the other hand, boasted one of the most substantial turnarounds in collegiate gymnastics history, improving 18 spots in their national finish, making their first team NCAA Regional appearance since 2014, and sending individual all-around qualifier Cairo Leonard-Baker to nationals.
Head coaches of both programs that are part of Thursday night's event - Zeke Jones (wrestling) and Jay Santos (gymnastics) - earned Pac-12 Coach of the Year honors in 2018, a second consecutive for Jones.
Men's and women's basketball both open their season at home on Tuesday, Nov. 6, the men hosting Cal State Fullerton and the women Incarnate Word. Wrestling and gymnastics schedules will be announced soon.
Each night will feature skill challenges, drills, and opportunities to meet the teams while Friday night's event will feature three-point shooting contests and a slam-dunk contest. Both events are free to the public.
Nearby parking includes the ASU Stadium (across from Sun Devil Stadium next to Mona Plummer Aquatic Center) and Fulton (300 E University Dr.) garages as well as Tempe's Centerpoint Garage (660 S Mill Ave.).
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