ZZUMania gets set to tip off

Shaun Knight Evergreen Men's Basketball reporter

For the fifth consecutive year, Washington State University will play host to the basketball-themed fan event ZZUMania tonight in Bohler Gym.

The event, which is set to begin at 8:30 p.m., celebrates the opening of the 2013-14 basketball season and is headlined by appearances from the WSU men’s and women’s basketball teams. The event will include introductions, a women’s shooting exhibition, a 3-point contest, and a men’s dunk contest.

Admission is free following WSU’s volleyball match against Arizona State, which has a 6:30 p.m. start time. One person in attendance will have the chance to win a $500 gift card to The Bookie in a half-court shot contest during the ZZUMania event.

ZZUMania is the WSU version of the national Midnight Madness spectacle, which schools across the country use to celebrate the beginning of basketball season each year.

WSU Women’s Head Basketball Coach June Daugherty will kick off the annual event with words on the upcoming women’s season following the introduction of her team. The women’s team will then put on a shooting exhibition.

The men’s team will follow with introductions of their own, preceded by warm-ups on the court and words from men’s basketball Head Coach Ken Bone. The men’s team will then put on a 3-point contest and finish off the event with the high-flying dunk contest.

Jamie Patrick, men’s basketball’s in-game host, will host the event. Fans in attendance can also expect a special appearance from the Cougar Marching Band Drumline.

ZZUMania is just one event of the athletic events taking place during Dad’s Weekend. The WSU soccer team takes on Colorado Friday at 2 p.m., and the volleyball team matches up against Arizona State at 6 p.m.

The WSU football team will host Oregon State Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Soccer will play again, hosting Utah Sunday at 11 a.m., and volleyball will close out the weekend with a matchup against Arizona Sunday at 1 p.m. Admission is free for each event to all students with a sports pass.