Arizona announced a new, absolutely fire, court design with a throwback style.
It inspired a question. Who else in D1 has a fun/unique court design?
No need to go look it up. In this thread, I’ve done the work for you.🧵
Over 40 courts detailed in two comment threads below, and I’m sure I forgot a few. Enjoy!
Oregon
Let’s get this one out of the way. The often controversial, Oregon Ducks!
Not everyone loves the Forest look, but this is a major improvement, and within the school colors, to what Oregon had previously.
Do you like it?
CSU Bakersfield
Another popular one to discuss during CBB season. Especially on Big West Thursday & Saturday nights!
Cal State Bakersfield’s blue court! Looks a bit lighter on TV. Do you like it?
TCU:
Another court that shows up a bit differently on TV than in person/a photo.
TCU’s court is one of the most unique in CBB, going for a scales look with its Horned Frogs nickname. Do you like it?
FIU
One of my personal favorites, specially for the risks taken with the design.
The FIU Panthers’ beach inspired court! You can make a layup from a palm tree, a three from the ocean. What’s not to like? Do you like it?
GW:
You will see many court designs with a “skyline” design pop in this thread. But not many have the luxury of featuring some of our countries most popular monuments!
Throw in the DC outline and this court is a ton of fun. Fits it’s for a school named after the 1st president, George Washington!
Do you like it?
UTEP:
This picture is well done, but this court somehow pops even more on TV. The mountain gradually getting larger left to right is a great touch.
UTEP. And somehow, this school may even have a better football stadium than basketball!
Santa Clara:
You have to look at it a bit for it to come into focus, but wow is this cool!
Santa Clara. With outlines of buildings, palm trees, and more. One of a kind basketball court design. Do you like it?
Louisville:
Louisville adding the dunking Cardinal to center court was an incredible decision. It’s why its design makes this thread.
How can you not love that? Salute to the original artist for this logo!
Memphis:
Memphis’ court design has a look as if a Tiger took a swipe at center court. No other D1 Tiger school does it like this.
Do you like it?
Bucknell:
If you are not familiar, Bucknell’s nickname is the Bison. And would you look at that, a pack of roaming bison right below the logo.
Love this one, fun way to use the nickname in multiple designs. Do you like it?
FAU
We begin a run of palm tree inspired courts. This version gives off a bit of a false symmetry design which is nice on the eye.
Do you like it?
CSU Fullerton
Another set of palm trees, with a subtle mountain range behind it. Much larger trees at that, and in color theme with the school’s colors.
Do you like it?
FGCU
The palm tree design here is all about center court, bunched around the FGCU logo. The rest of the court is rather standard, but that center court logo was worth the inclusion.
Do you like it?
Loyola Marymount
The last one on this run of palm tree designs. Some trees more visible, others more faded is a unique touch. The mid court sideline design is neat too.
Do you like it?
Youngstown State
Would be better to see this at an above angle, but in case you cannot tell, it’s a Penguin behind the YSU Y. A Penguin. Nothing else needs to be said.
Do you like it?
Kent State
The large golden flashes on each side of the court immediately pop for this court. The checkered design behind it is fun as well.
Do you like it?
Oakland
CBB Die hards know this one. Much of this thread so far has been about court design, but now back to court color. Brown is certainly unique! Enjoy the Michigan state outlines in black on the court as well.
Do you like it?
North Florida
Another design that is more color focused than additions, but the sidelines are a cool touch too! A grey court, not many of those.
Do you like it?
Tulsa
A mixture of the hurricane around center court and the Tulsa skyline is a money combo for those who love a skyline court design.
Do you like it?
San Jose State
Another example where an aerial view would do it more justice. Partial blue court, and a whole lot going on around center court.
Do you like it?
Arkansas State
The faded Red Wolf behind the A State logo is fantastic and covers the floor well. Really well done renovation here imo.
Do you like it?
UNLV
The major school in Vegas, so why not put the strip on the court? Having it in grey is a bit different than other skyline looks.
Do you like it?
Delaware State
This design is all about the key. Nicknamed the Hornets, the key looks just like a hive. Really well done with this concept imo.
Do you like it?
Idaho State
Another design that is all about the key. Nothing flashy here, you just don’t see many bright orange keys! Yes, that’s one of its main colors, but cool to incorporate it nonetheless.
Do you like it?
@IdahoStateMBB DePaul
Chicago’s basketball team! So why not include the Chicago Skyline with it.
Do you like it?
@IdahoStateMBB Mount St Mary’s
Also known as The Mount. So of course a mountain peaks right at mid court. Subtle but cool.
Do you like it?
@IdahoStateMBB @MountHoops Cal Poly
The draw here is all about the Mustang logo faded behind Cal Poly’s. A great touch while keeping the rest of the design simple. Super cool.
Many schools have begun incorporating the state outline at center court. But this large??? UMass loves Mass.
Do you like it?
@IdahoStateMBB @MountHoops @CPMustangs @calpolymbb @RazorbackMBB @UMassMBB St John’s
Not St John’s main court, but this one does have the ole skyline appeal to it. A real common theme here. NYC skyline was going to make it at some point!
Recently updated center court logo is the draw here. Many fans love this one. The Bulldog right behind that famous G. You can shoot a three from the paw on either side.
Do you like it?
@IdahoStateMBB @MountHoops @CPMustangs @calpolymbb @RazorbackMBB @UMassMBB @UGABasketball Virginia Tech
Skylines have been a theme as noted multiple times. But how about that design using your own campus buildings? Now that’s unique! Cool idea here from the Hokies.
What I appreciate about this design is the center court logo. The camel inside the North Carolina state outline vs over top or behind. Not many designed in that way!
Located in San Antonio, so alas, the San Antonio skyline! Not many may have known this is where UIW resides, so the skyline is a bonus for that reason too
Another skyline design here, but with a mountain range behind it, a staple of Denver Colorado. Beautiful court!
@IdahoStateMBB @MountHoops @CPMustangs @calpolymbb @RazorbackMBB @UMassMBB @UGABasketball @HokiesMBB @UCAMBB @GoCamelsMBB @WoffordMBB @DU_MensHoops Washington State
What is cool about this mountain/skyline design is its location on the court. Most are below the center court logo, while this crosses it. A unique touch for Wazzu
The final court in this thread! And of course, we end with a skyline. This one from Kansas City.
@IdahoStateMBB @MountHoops @CPMustangs @calpolymbb @RazorbackMBB @UMassMBB @UGABasketball @HokiesMBB @UCAMBB @GoCamelsMBB @WoffordMBB @DU_MensHoops @WSUCougarsMBB @UMKCMBBALL End of thread! Had to post many as replies after the initial thread due to how many courts there were to highlight! Hope you enjoy!
The thread had to be posted as one initial one, then comments after that due to its size. Underneath Idaho State begins the comment thread for the rest!
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Did not have time to watch some of the more niche programs seeded 12-16?
No problem, I did. I watched all 364 teams this season 3+ times, and in this thread, I breakdown some of the key areas of every 12-16 seed.
Hope you enjoy! Please share!
12 seeds! Most seasons 2/4 beat a 5. But at least pick 1.
UC San Diego
-I love the Big West. In its first year of D1 NCAAT eligibility, UCSD goes 30-4, wins the BW regular season & tourney title. Tritons lead NCAA in TO margin, commit the fewest turnovers and are Top 3 in TOs forced. Top 45 in APG, 37% from three, and a Top 30 opponent adjusted defense. Lack of size is an issue. No true traditional center, but New Zealand’s own Aniwaniwa Tait Jones is a back to the basket player first, and a terrific passer out of a double to a number of good shooters. UCSD often goes with 6-7 guys, but is nota team that fouls often. Rebounding, while a potential concern against P5 teams, hasn’t been an issue. Going about even on avg in the rebound battle all season. UCSD has won 15 in a row, and is 28-2 in its last 30 with a road win at Utah St. No P5 would schedule them, so let’s see if they are ready for the task in March.
Colorado State
-not many are hotter than the Rams. So much so that some sites have CSU as a favorite over Memphis in R1. We must start with Nique Clifford. He is a Top 50 player in CBB, maybe even higher, and his leap from last season to this year is immense, taking direct advice from NBA scouts to put on weight and work on the jumper further. It’s paid off. CSU finished 2nd in a MW that sent 4 teams dancing and they’ve won 10 in a row. The outside shot has really been working lately, Rams are making 9+ threes much more often on this run than in the non con. It has also held all 10 opp under 74pts during this win streak. Top 50 in both offense and defense, but a Top 10 team in all of CBB via Torvik since mid Feb. Its possible they peaked early, but this could also be an NC State situation to monitor. Nique Clifford may just be the next DJ Burns American Hero.
Liberty
-Liberty is 6th in CBB at 39% from 3, 6th in FG% at over 49%, but is a bottom 20 team from the FT line. Fascinating, and something to watch in a close game. This is a top 50 defense, partially driven by its offense methodically using the clock and looking for the best shot. Liberty beat K State & Charleston while winning the double in an extremely competitive CUSA. Almost every league game was tight, & while FT is an issue, they have practice in many close games. Kaden Metheny is the man to watch. He has “in the gym” range. 16/31 from deep in 3 CUSA tourney games. He’s coming in red hot. Only 1 6’8+ rotation player and a 7 man typical rotation could be an issue, but a stingy defense and volume threes allows Liberty the chance to upset anyone on a given night.
McNeese
-McNeese will not push the pace much, but it is consistent on both ends. Top 70 in offensive and defensive eff. 22-1 in its last 23 stands out too. They know how to win. A Top 70 NCSOS, McNeese lost by just 8 to Alabama, holding the Tide to its second lowest point total of the entire season. That defense showed again in a 4pt loss to Liberty. Holding the flames to its 4th lowest point total all season. It’s not a high volume 3P team, but they can get to the line and its athleticism can compete with P5 comp. Usually a 7-8 man rotation, preferring to force TOs, and switch on defense vs multiple big bodies. McNeese is T-19 in turnovers forced per game. If it defends like it has all season and the game can get ugly, this team can win a few games. But it may take some individual brilliance from its guards offensively too.
13 seeds! Growing in frequency, and in this season, almost becoming like a 12. At least 1 is likely to win, maybe 2.
Yale
-this group beat Auburn last year. It’s also an Ivy League team. This league plays clean, share the rock basketball. That alone should entice folks. They lost Wolf to Michigan, but still have Poulakidas and triple double threat Bez mbeng. Nick Townsend has also taken a significant leap in increased minutes post Wolf departure. Yale battled Purdue and Minnesota on the road, showing as expected it can translate to the highest level. It also held Akron to 78, which as you’ll read later is quite the feat. Yale ranks tied 7th in 3P% and in the top 30 in assists. So your typical Ivy upset threat.
Grand Canyon
-this team has P5 size and athleticism. That stands out on TV and in person. GCU knows this, and really likes to get inside, leading to the 6th most FT attempts per game in CBB. Tyon Grant Foster is the big name. Entered the draft process last year before coming back for one final year. His outside shooting has fallen off significantly, but he can beat most defenders in CBB 1on1. Jakobe Coles has been a great development. In increased minutes he’s taken on a larger offensive load and done it well. They will want to get out in transition as much as possible, but its defense is better than its offense, especially with some ice cold spurts from 3 at times. They played UGA and ASU very close, and beat Stanford. Many of the same guys who beat SMC last season, and gave Bama a good R32 fight are still here. They’ve been here before and won’t be intimidated. Can its depth out work the Crab 5? It likely will require some better outside shooting, or getting Queen/Reese in foul trouble early.
Akron
-They will shoot threes, and they will play fast. KenPom has Akron at the 16th fastest tempo in CBB, and it looks that way on TV. The Zips are tied 6th in 3PA nationally, shoot it at 36%, and are Top 5 in assists. Sharing the rock, playing fast, shooting threes. It is a blast to watch, and similar to Arizona its first opponent. Turnovers at times can become an issue, and defense. But if Akron is going to win, it will be playing in a shootout. 7 players shoot 35%+ from three, and Nate Johnson is red hot. Dropped 31 in the MAC semifinals as Akron dropped 100 on Toledo. They also gave up 90. They are 20-1 in the last 21. The style of play is working, and its first round game will be played at a pace it’s used to and prefers. If nothing else, it’ll be a lot of offense and very fun
High Point
-they can shoot. They can shoot. This is a Top 25 offense, opponent adjusted, in all of CBB. On the flip side, it’s not a Top 200 defense. The defense is an issue, and why they could be one and done against Purdue and its elite PG/Big duo in Braden Smith & Kauffman-Renn. But, they can shoot. All of it Top 7 players shoot 33% or better from 3. D’Maurian Williams, Pettiford & Johnston 40+%. At times they have been able to get to the line at a high volume, but that aspect has been more inconsistent for HPU. This is its first ever trip to the dance. Will it find the magic with its plethora of guard options from deep, or will Bodo Bodo + lack of size depth & defensive struggles cause too many issues vs Purdue right away? This group was unable to get a P5 to schedule them, as success was expected, but they did beat UAB & UNT. 29-5 is 29-5. They know how to win.