Big 12's Glass Court: A Shiny New Headache for Players
The Big 12's decision to debut a state-of-the-art glass court during their tournament stirred up more controversy than excitement. For athletes, it’s been more of a headache than a highlight.
Wildcats’ Frustrations with the New Court
After a tough 105-91 loss to the BYU Cougars, Wildcats forward Taj Manning didn’t hold back his thoughts on the glass court. "It was pretty bad," Manning remarked, describing the court as slippery and visually distracting, even causing teammate Khamari McGriff to suffer a migraine. Manning's candid feedback was clear: “They shouldn’t bring it back if you want my honest opinion.”
Social media buzzed with videos showing the court's unusual give during warmups, with moving logos and shifting graphics adding to the players’ discomfort. Manning noted, “It’s just an eyesore… Nobody wants to play on that, we just want the normal hardwood.”
BYU’s AJ Dybantsa Shines Bright
While the Wildcats struggled with the court, BYU’s freshman sensation AJ Dybantsa was unfazed, delivering a stunning 40-point performance. This marked his seventh game scoring over 35 points in Big 12 play, setting a new record for a freshman.
P.J. Haggerty also contributed significantly with 27 points.
Despite a strong first half from Kansas State, including Nate Johnson’s impressive five three-pointers, the Wildcats couldn’t maintain their momentum. BYU’s Kennard Davis and Rob Wright III combined for 29 points, sealing the game with dominant rebounding and defensive plays.
Looking Ahead: Kansas State’s Coaching Search
With the season wrapped up, Kansas State fans are looking forward to a fresh start as the team hunts for a new head coach. While Utah State’s Jerrod Calhoun is among the names in the mix, Saint Louis’ Josh Schertz reportedly declined an offer. The search is still active, with new candidates emerging regularly.
As the Wildcats aim to rebuild, the focus shifts from the contentious glass court to the promising future of the team.