One Big 12 team dislikes the interactive LED tournament floor

The Big 12 conference unveiled their new interactive LED floor this week. The concept is interesting for the tournament in Kansas City. Two pieces of safety glass which are laminated together, connected programable LED lights and roughly 2.5 times more springy or elastic than a conventional hardwood floor.

There was a belief that the give of the LED floor could provide a better experience for the players. However, it does seem that more emphasis was put on the fan experience than that of the players.

From a fan perspective, the LED floor is an incredible advancement in technology. Any desirable change in the design or imagery of the floor can be changed remotely from an iPad. This creates a very intriguing visual display. The possibilities are almost endless.

What is interesting conceptually is distracting to players. Only two days into the Big 12 Tournament and questions about the floor’s future viability have come to the surface. 

Kansas State is not a fan of the new floor

When asked about the LED floor after their loss to BYU, Kansas State forward Taj Manning gave genuine answers to how he feels about the new floor. Before Ryan Gilbert of 247Sports could finish his question, Manning said, “Yeah its pretty bad.”

The concerning aspect Manning shed light on is the impact of the changing and bright lights. Not unlike intense fluorescent lights in an office or lights that pump out too much blue light, the LED floor is inducing headaches. At least that's according to Manning's assessment. 

“Its just an eye-sore,” said Manning. “It’s constantly changing. Flashing different lights and all that. No one wants to play on it. We just want traditional hardwood.”

K-State forward Taj Manning was NOT a fan of the new Big 12 court in Kansas City pic.twitter.com/jxiBr0ogij

Innovation is great, as long as the it does not impede the primary task at hand. According to Manning, there is very little interest in playing on a floor that is such a stark contrast from what players have played on for over a century.

While the players might be resistant to the change, this doesn’t feel like a 'scrap the idea' situation. There is an elastic aspect that is most likely not ideal. Most movements a basketball player makes relies on a firm surface to spring off of.

A floor that gives too much reduces a player's athletic effectiveness. Have the engineers rework the elasticity aspect to something that feels more conventional.

The light intensity aspect is one that should be taken seriously. Even if that means the frequency and complexity of the changing design should be diminished. 

If the floor becomes less elastic, the intensity of the light is dimmed, and the changes are less frequent, most of Manning and Kansas State’s concerns could be minimized. It's an interesting idea that might just need some revisions at the design and implementation stages.

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