Big Blue Madness 2016: Start Time, Live Online Stream, Recruit List, Replay, and more

The college basketball season is officially here when the Kentucky Wildcats tip off Big Blue Madness.

The annual event is where UK debuts their newest editions of the men's and women's basketball teams. This year's group of Cats is expected to be one of the top teams in college hoops, a statement we’ve been able to say every year under John Calipari.

Another familiar theme for Cal’s Cats is UK being led by a star-studded freshman class that is one of, if not the most talented bunch in America. It will be up to Calipari to once again mold them into one of the best teams in college hoops as they seek their fifth Final Four berth since 2011.

This is also the biggest recruiting event of the year for UK. Many of the nation's top prospects are often in attendance for this, and here is a look at which 2017 prospects are set to attend along with their 24/7 Sports composite ranking:

Kevin Knox (Unofficial visit): No. 3 SF and No. 13 overall in 2017

Nick Richards (Unofficial visit): No. 2 C and No. 15 overall in 2017

Trae Young (Official visit): No. 4 PG and No. 28 overall in 2017

P.J. Washington (Unofficial visit): No. 6 PF and No. 16 overall in 2017

Quade Green (Official visit): No. 7 PG and No. 31 overall in 2017

There will be many other players from future classes attending, including 2018 star Romeo Langford. However, the five names above are eligible to visit UK officially, as well as sign a National Letter of Intent this fall.

Knox, Richards and Young are expected to wait until the spring to sign, while Green and Washington will likely make their commitments very soon and sign in November.

Prior to BBM starting on Friday night, the UK Sports Network will air a pregame special from 5:30-7 p.m. and UKathletics.com called Before the Madness. It will feature exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes content from the men's and women's hoops squads and more. The entire show will air on UKathletics.com, and here are more details on it.

Here is how to watch the main event:

Big Blue Madness 2016

Date: Oct. 14

Start Time: 7 p.m. ET

Location: Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY.

TV Channel: SEC Network

Announcers: Dave O'Brien will be on hand to make the call alongside Sean Farnham and Kara Lawson.

Live Online Stream: Watch the game online with Watch ESPN and the Watch ESPN app on your mobile device

Replay: You can watch a replay of the event using Watch ESPN; The SEC Network will air a replay of the event on Oct. 14 at 10:15 pm EST