Apparently splitting up the men's and women's teams into two teams for a scrimmage was a hit at last year's First Night festivities at UConn because that will be a centerpiece in the 2014 event on Oct. 17.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. for the event, which is free.  An autograph session with players and the head coaches from both teams will run from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

The national-championship banners will be unveiled, a 3-point shooting contest will take place followed by the scrimmage.


2014 First Night will be broadcast in its entirety on ESPN3 while ESPNU will broadcast parts of the night's festivities from Storrs, Arizona, Kentucky, Florida, Gonzaga and San Diego State.    

Here's the schedule

3 p.m. - Fan Fest on Fairfield Way
5 p.m. - Doors Open
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 PM- Autograph Session
6 p.m. - Pre-event begins
7 p.m. - Showtime


HOLMES NAMED BIG 12 PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Former Hillhouse star Bria Holmes named the Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year.

The awards were chosen by head coaches, who are not allowed to vote for their own student-athletes.

“This a tremendous honor for Bria and the WVU women’s basketball program,” said head coach Mike Carey. “With this selection, the Big 12 coaches have shown great respect for what Bria has done the past two years. I look forward to seeing Bria continue her role as a leader this season.”

Holmes was a unanimous All-Big 12 First Team selection last year in leading the Mountaineers to a share of their first Big 12 women’s basketball regular season title.  She was also an Associated Press All-American honorable mention, as well as a Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship All-Tournament Team honoree.

Holmes led the Mountaineers with 15.2 points a game, which ranked seventh in the conference. Her 516 points were the fifth-highest point total by a sophomore in program history. The junior guard had a team-best 184 field goals and her 46.7 (184-of-394) field goal percentage was the 12th-highest in the Big 12.