One of the great traditions of college basketball each year happens before the year even technically starts in gyms across the country: “Midnight Madness.”

The event goes by many names (Kansas has Late Night in the Phog, Kentucky has Big Blue Madness, etc;), but the premise of most “Midnight Madness” celebrations involves fan-oriented fun in an energetic environment meant to bring a surge of passion and excitement ahead of the regular season.

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The Coastal Athletic Association has its share of these types of events too, and they’re getting underway as soon as this week. Some programs are going a more relaxed route through an open practice or no event at all in the preseason, however, and if you’re interested in checking one out, it’s worth knowing ahead of time what you’re getting into.

Here’s a look on if and when each CAA school is planning a grand opening to the season on the hardwood in preseason prior to the tipoff to the regular season next month:

Campbell Men's Basketball

The Fighting Camels are introducing themselves to home fans — and the rest of the CAA in their inaugural hoops season in the league — by hosting their annual Creek Madness (named for Campbell’s location in Buies Creek, North Carolina) event at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at Gore Arena. Free T-shirts, prizes, food and autographs will be part of the festivities as the men’s and women’s teams get an introduction ahead of the 2023-24 season.

Charleston Men's Basketball

Vibes are extremely high for the Cougars right now after they went 31-4 under coach Pat Kelsey and were ranked as high as No. 18 in the Associated Press Top 25 last season. Perhaps it’s also why Charleston is holding back from getting too cocky; it won’t (as of now) host a preseason tipoff event in the leadup to its season opener Nov. 6 against Iona.

Delaware Men's Basketball

Delaware is making it simple with its preseason festivities by hosting an open practice Oct. 26 from 5-8:30 p.m. in the Bob Carpenter Center. The practice is only open to season ticket holders (purchased by Oct. 25) and members of the media, however, though a post-practice chalk talk session with coach Martin Ingelsby and his staff will take place right after for those in attendance.

Drexel Men's Basketball

No “Midnight Madness” event (announced as of this writing) for the Dragons this year, who will be looking to build upon last year’s 17-15 season under coach Zach Spiker, now in his eighth season in Philadelphia. 

Elon Men's Basketball

The Phoenix will be opting to keep their preseason on the down-low as they won’t host a major tipoff event, but they will have a preseason exhibition at home against Division III William Peace on Oct. 31 before Elon’s season gets going Nov. 6 at Wake Forest. 

Hampton Men's Basketball

Hampton hasn’t announced anything major at this time as the Pirates aim to improve from their 8-24 season a season ago. Their home opener is against Mid-Atlantic Christian (which plays in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association) on Nov. 9.

Hofstra Men's Basketball

Hofstra hasn’t scheduled any tipoff event, but it is going in a unique direction to get fans involved through hoops. With one of the earliest tipoffs on the season’s opening day at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 6, the Pride will face D-III St. Joseph’s (New York) with its “Class at the Court” game where local elementary students will watch “interactive educational sessions” pregame before checking out the action on the court.

Monmouth Men's Basketball

Monmouth, meanwhile, is hosting a late-night event with its Blue/White Night starting at 9 p.m. Oct. 26 at the OceanFirst Bank Center. Admission is free and fans will be treated to contests, prize giveaways and other amenities as they get to meet the men’s and women’s hoops teams in a high-octane environment. 

N.C. A&T Men's Basketball

A&T is going all out with its tipoff event, Aggie Madness, which will start at 7 p.m. Friday and give fans a first look at an Aggies squad led by first-year head coach (and former Delaware coach) Monte Ross. Hosted by Charlotte Hornets/Greensboro Swarm arena host and A&T grad Christian Kornegay, Corbett Sports Center should be rocking for the beginning of a new era of Aggies hoops. 

Northeastern Men's Basketball

No event planned for Northeastern, which welcomes Beantown rival Boston University to Matthews Arena for the Huskies’ season opener Nov. 6. 

Stony Brook Men's Basketball

The Seawolves are keeping things tame, as well, and passing on a big preseason showing for now. They travel to play at St. John’s to open their season Nov. 7.

Towson Men's Basketball

Towson’s staying put, too, with the Tigers still focused on preparing for a season-opening trip at Colorado on Nov. 6 following a successful 21-win 2022-23 season.

UNCW Men's Basketball

UNCW’s annual Seahawk Madness event gets going at 7 p.m. Thursday in Trask Coliseum with free admission in a feature event for the men’s and women’s hoops teams. Performances by the Seahawks’ spirit groups will take place as well as a 3-point contest (involving both the men and women) and a dunk contest for the men.

William & Mary Men's Basketball

The Tribe will welcome fans into Kaplan Arena to watch an open practice from the men’s team at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 25, but they otherwise don’t plan on getting too wild in the preseason. The men open up play for 2023-24 by welcoming National Christian College Athletic Association school Regent to Williamsburg on Nov. 6.