MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

Via @d3playbook on Twitter, I saw Oglethorpe of the SAA post pics of their new all-black court. Ghastly. Of course all the comments were like "yo this is sick, this is fire!" - some people have no taste, I guess.

It's been all-black for at least a few seasons.  The black court does not necessarily fit the wood-beam construction and historic look of the gym, but it looks way better in-person with the bleachers out and teams on the court.

I watched the North Park women play at Oglethorpe on that black court via a webcast a couple of seasons ago, and my complaint was that the reflected glare from the ceiling lights was so intense that it was a distraction. However, given that a black surface naturally has a lower albedo than the tan color of the hard maple typically used for indoor basketball flooring, it's unlikely that the floor was reflecting more light when its scientific properties indicate that it should've been reflecting less. I suspect that all that glare had less to do with the floor itself and more to do with overpolishing by Oglethorpe physical plant personnel, or perhaps bad filtering on the part of the camera Oglethorpe was using for the webcast.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Via @d3playbook on Twitter, I saw Oglethorpe of the SAA post pics of their new all-black court. Ghastly. Of course all the comments were like "yo this is sick, this is fire!" - some people have no taste, I guess.

It's been all-black for at least a few seasons.  The black court does not necessarily fit the wood-beam construction and historic look of the gym, but it looks way better in-person with the bleachers out and teams on the court.

I watched the North Park women play at Oglethorpe on that black court via a webcast a couple of seasons ago, and my complaint was that the reflected glare from the ceiling lights was so intense that it was a distraction. However, given that a black surface naturally has a lower albedo than the tan color of the hard maple typically used for indoor basketball flooring, it's unlikely that the floor was reflecting more light when its scientific properties indicate that it should've been reflecting less. I suspect that all that glare had less to do with the floor itself and more to do with overpolishing by Oglethorpe physical plant personnel, or perhaps bad filtering on the part of the camera Oglethorpe was using for the webcast.

It's also a pretty sizeable home court advantage.  I've repeatedly seen teams struggle early adjusting to the court, plus, if the players wear black shoes, I've seen referees struggle to call stepping out of bounds.  If I recall, the gym was rented out for some Charles Barkley reality competition that went along with the Final Four the last time it was in Atlanta and the school decided, if someone else is paying for the new floor, they might as well go bold.  I think it's pretty cool, but I agree it looks better with the bleachers out.

[WUPHF]

It's also a pretty sizeable home court advantage.  I've repeatedly seen teams struggle early adjusting to the court, plus, if the players wear black shoes, I've seen referees struggle to call stepping out of bounds.  If I recall, the gym was rented out for some Charles Barkley reality competition that went along with the Final Four the last time it was in Atlanta and the school decided, if someone else is paying for the new floor, they might as well go bold.  I think it's pretty cool, but I agree it looks better with the bleachers out.

That is very interesting. 

I was able to watch them knock off Centre in 2019 when the Colonels were the class of the conference and remember thinking that there had to be a significant home court advantage with the floor.

The gym is also quite dark and could use a more modern lighting system.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Via @d3playbook on Twitter, I saw Oglethorpe of the SAA post pics of their new all-black court. Ghastly. Of course all the comments were like "yo this is sick, this is fire!" - some people have no taste, I guess.

It's been all-black for at least a few seasons.  The black court does not necessarily fit the wood-beam construction and historic look of the gym, but it looks way better in-person with the bleachers out and teams on the court.

I watched the North Park women play at Oglethorpe on that black court via a webcast a couple of seasons ago, and my complaint was that the reflected glare from the ceiling lights was so intense that it was a distraction. However, given that a black surface naturally has a lower albedo than the tan color of the hard maple typically used for indoor basketball flooring, it's unlikely that the floor was reflecting more light when its scientific properties indicate that it should've been reflecting less. I suspect that all that glare had less to do with the floor itself and more to do with overpolishing by Oglethorpe physical plant personnel, or perhaps bad filtering on the part of the camera Oglethorpe was using for the webcast.

Noticed the same glare issue when the Hope women played there in Dec of 2018.  As a color scientist (yes that's what I do for a living) I can confirm for you that the reflectivity is really about the surface characteristics (gloss level, "smoothness" of the surface, and so on), but the color also contributes and makes it more noticeable.  Since the lights being reflected (essentially white) are in great contrast to the floor color (black) they are easily seen.  On a lighter colored floor (traditional light wood color) it's just less noticeable (if the surfaces are equally "shiny").

[Gregory Sager]

Via @d3playbook on Twitter, I saw Oglethorpe of the SAA post pics of their new all-black court. Ghastly. Of course all the comments were like "yo this is sick, this is fire!" - some people have no taste, I guess.

It's been all-black for at least a few seasons.  The black court does not necessarily fit the wood-beam construction and historic look of the gym, but it looks way better in-person with the bleachers out and teams on the court.

I watched the North Park women play at Oglethorpe on that black court via a webcast a couple of seasons ago, and my complaint was that the reflected glare from the ceiling lights was so intense that it was a distraction. However, given that a black surface naturally has a lower albedo than the tan color of the hard maple typically used for indoor basketball flooring, it's unlikely that the floor was reflecting more light when its scientific properties indicate that it should've been reflecting less. I suspect that all that glare had less to do with the floor itself and more to do with overpolishing by Oglethorpe physical plant personnel, or perhaps bad filtering on the part of the camera Oglethorpe was using for the webcast.

Noticed the same glare issue when the Hope women played there in Dec of 2018.  As a color scientist (yes that's what I do for a living) I can confirm for you that the reflectivity is really about the surface characteristics (gloss level, "smoothness" of the surface, and so on), but the color also contributes and makes it more noticeable.  Since the lights being reflected (essentially white) are in great contrast to the floor color (black) they are easily seen.  On a lighter colored floor (traditional light wood color) it's just less noticeable (if the surfaces are equally "shiny").

Makes sense. Thanks, FDF.

[Next Man Up]

Some minor administrative details remain unresolved, but it appears likely that two recent North Central 🏀 graduates, both of whom enjoyed noteworthy careers, will soon enter the D3 coaching ranks.
Confirmation and further details to follow as they become available.

Congrats........

Although it has not been publicly announced as yet, other circumstances involving social media now allow me to report that former North Central standout Aiden Chang will soon head east to hunt for a new domicile in the Granite State. That's due to the fact that Aiden has secured a position as an assistant coach with the Keene State (NH) men's basketball team. While at Keene, he will also work remotely and retain his consulting position with Accenture.

Among his other exploits, Aiden is North Central's all time leader in games played. Unfortunately, as many will remember, this resulted from a gruesome injury against Wheaton and POY Aston Francis.
Aiden was widely praised for the fortitude he displayed in rehabilitating to the point of being able to return to competition.
Congrats Aide.

YOU CAN'T GO HOME AGAIN? 

Congrats.........

To former North Central Class of 2018 All-American Alex Sorenson who has returned to campus, enrolled in graduate school, and will become NCC's new Men's Graduate Assistant Coach. Alex takes over from Titan Q's favorite North Central player, Tommy Koth, who earned his Masters in May.

In his 3 year Cardinals career Sorenson scored 1,443 points, finishing 8th all-time, and pulled down 731 rebounds, good for 7th all-time. Should he have played his freshman year in Naperville, it's almost certain he would have finished 2nd all-time in both scoring and rebounds. Alex holds the all-time NCC career record for Blocks with 146. On 12/30/17 he scored 54 points vs Robert Morris-Chicago, becoming the NCC all-time single game record holder.

Congrats and welcome back, Alex.

[Greek Tragedy]

So after IWU walks through the league, what teams are fighting for 2md place? Wheaton had a really good abbreviated season last year. Or are we talking NCC and Augustana again? Elmhurst?

[Ultimate Titan Fan]

That's a gross misstatement!!

It should be "runs through the league."

[Greek Tragedy]

That's a gross misstatement!!

It should be "runs through the league."

"Walks" implies a nice easy stroll.

[Gregory Sager]

[Greek Tragedy]

North Park, Greg?? 

[WUPHF]

[Gregory Sager]

North Park, Greg?? 

UWSP, Tom? 

[Greek Tragedy]

North Park, Greg?? 

UWSP, Tom? 

Wrong board, Greg. LOL

[Gregory Sager]

North Park, Greg?? 

UWSP, Tom? 

Wrong board, Greg. LOL

You asked, I answered. That makes it the right board.