Photo by New MKA Floor Design Unveiled
The court in Matthew Knight Arena has a fresh new look for Oregon’s first season in the Big Ten Conference. The new design retains essential features of the building’s original surface while updating the look with a fresh feel.
The new Kilkenny Court surface at Matthew Knight Arena
Highlighting the new Kilkenny Court surface are a more prominent ‘O’ logo at center court, a reimagining of the tree design reminding opponents they’re playing “Deep in The Woods” when they come to Eugene, and other touches conceptualized by the design team at Van Horne Brands.
By enlarging the university logo at center court and making the trees ringing the surface more transparent, the most powerful brand in collegiate sports will command the eye for those entering Matthew Knight Arena next season and beyond.
Among the key elements retained from the original court design, unveiled when the arena opened in 2011, are the tree imagery originally conceived of by Tinker Hatfield.
More than 270 photos of trees from around the Northwest were taken to incorporate in the design, reinforcing the deep roots of the university in the region. The transparency of the trees also will enhance the natural tones of the hardwood.
The Kilkenny Court mark at each end includes a new image blending a shamrock with a Duck foot, honoring the “Lucky Duck” charitable foundation started in 2005 by Stephanie and Pat Kilkenny.
And the surface incorporates a tribute to the arena’s namesake, Matthew Knight, who passed away in 2004. Near each baseline are images of Ducks flying in a “missing man” formation, with a gap in the flying-V formation to symbolize the legacy and memory of Matthew Knight.
The new surface also incorporates the Big Ten logo below each free-throw line, as the UO men’s and women’s basketball teams and volleyball program embark on their first season of competition in the university’s new conference home.
Indiana Basketball All-Time NBA Draft Picks
Indiana University has a rich history of producing talented basketball players who go on to succeed in the NBA. From Isiah Thomas to Victor Oladipo, the Hoosiers have sent 78 players to the professional ranks.
Jalen Hood-Schifino with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected seventeenth by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft.
Kel’el Ware will be the next when the 2024 Draft takes place on June 26 and 27 in Brooklyn, N.Y. In 2023, Jalen Hood-Schifino became Indiana’s 27th first-round pick, and Trayce Jackson-Davis finished 11th in NBA All-Rookie voting despite being picked No. 57 overall.
From Jackson-Davis to Ward Williams in 1948, here’s the full list of Indiana Hoosiers that have been taken in the NBA draft.
Giving Back to the Community
For Colton Corner, playing in the alumni basketball game was more than just a chance to relive old memories. It was an opportunity to give back to his high school alma mater and show the younger generation the importance of hard work and dedication.
Colton Corner in action during the alumni basketball game.
As a basketball player, Corner was known for his defensive skills and his willingness to do the dirty work. He took pride in his defense and rarely did the other team’s player ever score on him.
For Corner, the message was simple. You might be a bigger basketball player than me, but you sure as hell are not going to outwork me.
Corner’s class helped build the foundation for the future generation to build a mansion. Before his junior year, their basketball team had failed to make the playoffs since 2000 and had not won a playoff game since then.
But Corner’s junior year not only did they break their playoff drought but they upset a favored Priddy Pirates team to win their first playoff game in over a decade.
Corner’s senior year not only did they advance to the playoffs once again, they nabbed second place in district, the highest placing any team had in over a decade, and ended up winning back-to-back playoff games.
The alumni game was a chance for Corner to show the younger generation that even though he’s a lot older now and not in as good of shape as his high school counterparts, he still has that competitive fire in him.
