Five Big Ten Schools Unveil New Courts

by BT Hoops on Nov 8, 2011 7:21 PM CST in BT News

All 12 Big Ten basketball courts will have a new look this season. The changes will be minor for six courts, as Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Penn State, Indiana, Ohio State and Nebraska will add the new Big Ten logo, put a semi circle under the basket and eliminate the women's three point line from the floor, as the men and women once again share the three point line.

The other five schools went all out and brought in a new floor. Those schools are Purdue, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan and Northwestern. All five schools have come up with very different looks for their basketball courts. With renovations taking place at Mackey Arena, Crisler Arena and Carver-Hawkeye Arena, a new court brought it all together. After the jump we give you a look at the five all new Big Ten basketball courts as well as a chance for you to vote for your favorite.

Welsh-Ryan Arena - Northwestern

Photo Courtesy of NUSports.com

Northwestern's basketball court is the most interesting. The purples all really don't match but they gave it an old look, as far as the paint goes. Earlier in the year, fans got to vote on which basketball court they wanted.. and I guess this is what they chose. It seems Northwestern has also adopted the phrase "Chicago's Big Ten Team" .. they have used it more and more each year.

Carver-Hawkeye Arena - Iowa

Photo Courtesy of Hawkeye Lounge

Iowa's basketball court got a much needed update, in my opinion. It has a lot of similarities to the old one but they have enlarged the Hawkeye in the center, which I think makes a world of difference. The court has a two-toned wood checkered look to it as well.

Crisler Arena - Michigan

Michigan stuck with the two-toned wood court, which seems to be the overall trend now-a-days. I love the Big Ten logo in lane. It gives it a unique look with it being stained instead of painted.

Mackey Arena - Purdue

Photo Courtesy of US Presswire

This isn't the best picture of the new Keady Court but Purdue completely tore out their floor and gave it an all new look. It is the perfect touch to the all new Mackey Arena. Purdue went with the two-toned look and added Gene Keady's signature to the hardwood. The Motion P in the center replaced the Boilermaker Special mascot that had been used on the floor in previous years.

Assembly Hall - Illinois

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Photos Courtesy of Illinois Loyalty

Illinois followed the trend and went with a two-toned court. The Fighting Illini added the state of Illinois under the I logo in the center. Overall I think it is a positive improvement for the Illini. It looks much better than the old one.

Poll

Which new basketball court do you like the best? (Try not to be bias..)

Northwestern

35 votes

Iowa

47 votes

Michigan

25 votes

Purdue

252 votes

Illinois

33 votes

392 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

If the courts are going to be looking different this year than that is a refreshing look for the new seasons. New court designs can make it fun for the fans as well as the players to look at during the game.

Halloween

by Evan Rhodes on Nov 8, 2011 10:26 PM CST reply actions

Illinois’ is really good. The outline of the state is just awesome. Northwestern’s is kind of dumb, I mean if a potential recruit or fan doesn’t know that Northwestern is “Chicago’s Big Ten team” are they really smart enough to get into Northwestern in the first place. In general the oversized midcourt logo trend is getting kind of stale, and I’m already sick of this whole B1G rebranding for the Big Ten.

Everything's more important with bunting.

by Veni Vidi Vici on Nov 9, 2011 8:40 AM CST reply actions