The Big 12 Conference has decided to revert to traditional hardwood courts for the remainder of its men’s basketball tournament. This change comes after players expressed concerns over the slippery nature of the innovative LED glass surface that was initially introduced for the event.
In a statement released on March 12, 2026, Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark announced the transition to a hardwood court for the semifinal games. He emphasized the decision was made to ensure the “greatest level of comfort” for the athletes competing on a significant stage.
“After consultation with the coaches of our four semifinal teams, I have decided that in order to provide our student-athletes with the greatest level of comfort on a huge stage this weekend, we will transition to a hardwood court for the remainder of the tournament,” Yormark stated.
The Big 12 had previously announced that both its men’s and women’s tournaments would feature the LED glass surface, developed by ASB GlassFloor. This technology, which has been used at events like the NBA All-Star Game and in European competitions, had not been employed during official tournament play in the United States.
Despite its innovative design, which includes an aluminum and steel spring-action structure intended to mimic the flexibility of hardwood, the glass courts received mixed feedback from players. Elle Evans, a player for the Kansas women’s team, remarked, “I will say it was a little slippery in some areas.”
Concerns about player safety were heightened when several athletes experienced slips on the surface. Notably, Christian Anderson, a guard for Texas Tech, strained a muscle after slipping during his team’s 75-63 loss to Iowa State. He commented on the court’s conditions, stating, “Obviously, the floor is a bit slippery. I think I just kind of mis-stepped or did a movement that caused me to slip.”
As the tournament progressed, Kansas head coach Bill Self acknowledged the unique challenges posed by the glass court but stated, “The floor was fine… but it did seem a little different from a traction standpoint than the majority of courts are.” After his team advanced to the semifinals, Self expressed support for the decision to switch back to hardwood, saying, “I think it’s the right thing to do.”
The transition aims to prioritize player safety and comfort, particularly as teams approach critical semifinal matchups. The Big 12 looks forward to providing an enhanced playing environment as it moves forward with traditional court surfaces for the championship rounds.
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