I have to say I'm a little surprised at the backlash about not having Midnight Madness this year. I kind of pictured this to be greeted with "Ho-hum. What's on television?"

But between the messageboards, emails and responses to Facebook and Twitter I've gotten, I can see I was mistaken.

I'm under the impression that the main reason there is no Midnight Madness this year is because UMass plays defending national champion Boston University in hockey that night. For safety reasons the school moved Midnight Madness back to 8 p.m. last year. The school would be stupid to put 8 p.m. Madness up against a good hockey game. Nobody wins.

Every year I was a little surprised when another Midnight Madness was announced. Maybe it's because I'm getting old (er), but I thought the concept has kind of died in recent years. Lots of schools dropped it long before UMass did.

With the exception of a few good dunks, the dunk contest has gotten staler every year. It's getting harder and harder to impress us with dunks and there are far too many misses.

In many years they haven't even had a scrimmage. So exactly what are people going to see?

There's been talk of an open scrimmage/practice, but there have been date conflicts.

I never minded Midnight Madness, but I can't say I'll miss it.