The Kansas Jayhawks are making the most of their proximity to the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City as they gear up for the Big 12 men’s basketball tournament. With their first game set for late Thursday night, the Jayhawks took advantage of a short practice session on Monday to familiarize themselves with the venue's unique features.
Coach Bill Self shared insights on his decision during Monday’s Hawk Talk radio show. He emphasized the significance of practicing on the state-of-the-art ASB GlassFloor, which boasts embedded LED video technology. This innovative court, used for both the men’s and women’s postseason tournaments, is made of laminated safety glass with a specially treated surface to enhance traction.
Self noted that the Jayhawks weren’t the only team eager to get a feel for the court. “The eight teams playing in Tuesday’s first round also came early to practice,” he explained. With games scheduled all day Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, this was their sole opportunity to practice on the court.
Given their close proximity, Kansas had a logistical advantage. “We’re fortunate to be close enough to take advantage of this,” Self said, acknowledging that Kansas State might be the only other team with a similar opportunity.
The Jayhawks managed a 30-minute session on the main court before moving to the College Basketball Experience for the remainder of their practice. Self was keen to gather feedback from his players about the court’s performance.
“Some courts have great traction, while others can be a bit slippery,” he noted. “This one doesn’t quite match the traction of our home court at Allen Fieldhouse.”
Players might find themselves frequently adjusting their shoes during timeouts to maintain grip. As for the LED-lit court’s aesthetic, Self admitted to being a traditionalist.
“I understand the appeal to social media and marketing, but I prefer a more traditional look. They’ve cleaned it up a bit, so it doesn’t appear too busy.”
Looking ahead, the Jayhawks will travel to Kansas City on Wednesday after practicing in Lawrence. Their quarterfinal matchup is set for an 8:30 p.m. tip-off against TCU, Oklahoma State, or Colorado.
“We’re scheduled for a late start, but games often run behind. We’ll be ready for an 8:30 or 8:45 start,” Self said, acknowledging the challenge ahead.
“If we win, we’ll have a similar schedule for Friday’s semifinal. We’ve got our work cut out for us.”