Big 12 Tournament’s High-Tech Court Faces Backlash

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Big 12 Tournament’s High-Tech Court Faces Backlash

Originally posted on College Sports Only
By Spencer Rozell | Last updated Mar 11, 2026 10:20 AM ET

When the Big 12 announced an LED Screen court for its conference tournament, imaginations ran wild about how the new technology could provide a unique, high-tech experience.

Instead, they delivered us this most boring, uninspired court design in all of college basketball.

Why does the Big 12 want such a dark, lifeless basketball court? They could have a beautiful, sharp-grained wood look but they choose gray, rainy day clouds. pic.twitter.com/SQTLO3rfbV

— Kyle G. Adema ️ ‍☠️ (@KyleGAdema) March 10, 2026

When first announced, the Big 12 touted the court’s potential as a dynamic, show-stealing piece of art.

Big 12 has seen the light…and put it on its tournament court. pic.twitter.com/fZizWLV6KO

— Blair Kerkhoff (@BlairKerkhoff) March 3, 2026

Unfortunately, we’ve gotten very little of this.

They made it sound like the Big 12 tournament court was going to be a highlight but it looks so frigging dark in there! What’s with all the gray???

— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) March 10, 2026

It is genuinely hilarious that the Big 12 hyped up a state-of-the-art, customizable glass court that will change the way basketball is played… only to roll out the exact same court design everyone hated last year lmao. https://t.co/SxxgGSP6Ok

— Alex Gookin (@_AlexGookin) March 5, 2026

Wisconsin legend Frank Kaminsky III called for the court to be banned entirely.

Ban this type of floor. It should be illegal. Whoever had this idea send them to jail https://t.co/gqTVPLhzUD

— Frank Kaminsky III (@FSKPart3) March 11, 2026

Kansas State forward Taj Manning openly complained in his postgame media availability about the court being too slippery and that the lights caused a fellow player to have a migraine.

Kansas State forward Taj Manning on the Big 12 Tournament’s glass LED floor:

“It’s pretty bad, to be honest. It’s slippery. The lights and stuff caused Khamari (McGriff) to get a migraine. It’s a bad floor, they shouldn’t bring it back… Nobody wants to play on that thing, just… pic.twitter.com/SpBvPsl7hb

— College Sports Only (@CSOonX) March 11, 2026

While the technology certainly is incredible, the Big 12 really misstepped by advertising a state-of-the-art technological advancement only to give us a gray blob.

The horrendous Big 12 court is a confounding example of a purely commercial enterprise, for no apparent monetary or non-monetary reason, forcing something loathsome on its customers that they all openly HATE. Breathtaking contempt for your patrons, it’s practically an art form. https://t.co/r0PYln2OEL

— J. Respectful Clark (@JReubenCIark) March 11, 2026

Will the Big 12 (or other conferences) continue to use the LED screen court going forward, or will we see a return to the traditional hardwood next season?

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