Big 12 Scraps LED Glass Floor for Remainder of Tournament

The league will transition to a traditional hardwood court after player safety concerns.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 5:36am

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The Big 12 Conference announced it will scrap its experimental LED glass court and install a traditional hardwood surface for the remainder of its conference tournament. The decision comes after multiple players slipped on the glass floor during Thursday's quarterfinal games, raising concerns about player safety and comfort.

Why it matters

The Big 12's use of an LED glass floor was an attempt to showcase new technology and innovation, but player safety has to be the top priority. Transitioning back to a hardwood court ensures the tournament can continue without further incident and protects the league's top prospects and investments.

The details

After consulting with coaches of the four semifinal teams, Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark announced the decision to switch to a hardwood court. During Thursday's games, players like Texas Tech's Christian Anderson suffered minor injuries after slipping on the glass floor. League officials said a contingency plan was in place to quickly install the new hardwood surface overnight.

  • The Big 12 announced the change on Thursday, March 13, 2026.
  • The new hardwood court is expected to be ready for Friday morning's shootaround.

The players

Brett Yormark

The commissioner of the Big 12 Conference who announced the decision to switch playing surfaces.

Christian Anderson

An All-Big 12 guard for Texas Tech who suffered a minor injury after slipping on the LED glass floor during Thursday's quarterfinal game.

Bill Self

The head coach of the Kansas Jayhawks, who said he believes the decision to switch to hardwood is the right thing to do.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Brett Yormark, Big 12 Commissioner (CBS Sports)

“I think it's the right thing to do.”

— Bill Self, Kansas Head Coach (Sports Illustrated)

What’s next

The new hardwood court is expected to be ready for Friday morning's shootaround ahead of the semifinal games.

The takeaway

The Big 12's decision to pivot away from its experimental LED glass floor and return to a traditional hardwood court shows the league's willingness to prioritize player safety and comfort over showcasing new technology, even in the middle of a major tournament.