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Big 12 is already getting rid of its controversial LED glass court

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Mar 13, 2026 4:06 PM ET

The Big 12 is doing away with its experimental glass court at its conference tournament in Kansas City, Mo.

After using the LED glass court for the first three rounds, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark announced late Thursday that the league is eliminating the new floor and will return to a hardwood court for the semifinals and finals of the tournament. In a statement, Yormark said the move was being made to “provide our student-athletes with the greatest level of comfort on a huge stage this weekend.”

BREAKING NEWS
Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark tells @CBSSports the league is abandoning its LED glass floor and switching to hardwood overnight for the semifinals and title game the next two days. The coaches have agreed to the switch. Here's Yormark's statement. Story TK. pic.twitter.com/OprQjVwGkT
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) March 13, 2026

While Yormark will not explicitly say so, the change almost certainly came after numerous player complaints about the floor. While coaches downplayed its significance, players complained that it was slippery and that the lights even gave some of them migraines. Fans also felt it was not aesthetically pleasing.

The last straw appears to have come Thursday, when Texas Tech’s Christian Anderson suffered a groin injury from slipping during the Red Raiders’ 75-53 loss to Iowa State. While he was not the first player to slip on the floor, Anderson is an all-conference selection and one of Texas Tech’s most important players.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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