Hundreds of Kansas University basketball fans were already standing in line this afternoon for tonight’s hoops extravaganza, “Late Night in the Phog.”

Admission is free and prime seats go to those in line first for the event, which will feature skits followed by scrimmages by the men’s and women’s teams. (Full Late Night coverage.)

During the noon hour, about 50 people had already taken their places in line at the north entrance to the fieldhouse. By 2:30 p.m., there were another 75 or so fans who were lined up at the south end of the building, according to reports. By 4:30 p.m., several hundred were standing outside the doors.

Among them was a group of 10 people who made the 2.5-hour drive from Washington, Kan.

“We definitely wanted to get up here early to get a good seat so that we could get a first look at the four freshman,” said Thad Wiemers, a 23-year-old member of that group.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with the women expected to scrimmage in the 7 p.m.-8 p.m hour.

The men will take center stage on ESPNU from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

At last year’s Late Night, some 16,000 fans came close to nearly filling the building.