Players find plenty to like at the Sprint Center, especially all those spectators

The question was asked in all its blatant, hometown, boosterish glory: “How y’all like the new Sprint Center?”

All the coaches and players who were asked Thursday on the opening day of the Big 12 Conference men’s basketball tournament responded appropriately, considering their surroundings.

Nice floor. Solid rims. Big crowd, although for the afternoon session probably not the 18,758 announced by the Big 12 as tickets sold. More like 16,313 rear ends in seats at the afternoon’s high point. Still, that’s huge for a day session with no local teams involved, and it grew from there.

“It’s a great place,” said Oklahoma State’s Byron Eaton, noting that what made it especially great was a large number of fans wearing orange when the Cowboys beat Texas Tech 76-72.

You’ll have to forgive the players and coaches if they couldn’t discuss in depth the ambience of this new face of Kansas City basketball and hospitality.

Sure, the new Power & Light District offers entertainment that was missing around Kemper Arena, and all those concession stands on the concourses and the extra bathrooms are nice for the fans.

But what the hoopsters have seen so far is the inside of expansive locker rooms.

“They’re real nice,” said Texas Tech’s John Roberson after a one-of-six shooting game that obviously was more upon his mind.

Colorado’s Marcus Hall played along when it was noted that the fans cheering on the underdog were probably triple the 5,161 average crowd back in Boulder.

“We appreciate those who do support us,” Hall said, at first a bit offended by the question. But later, he added:

“The crowd was great. I’ve been to Dallas, and I’ve been here. Not to put Dallas down, but it seemed like there were a lot more people here. Even if they didn’t start off that way, they ended up cheering for us.

“It felt good to play in that environment and to come out on top.”