The 3-point line on the ASB GlassFloor LED court lights up during the Arizona State-Baylor game in the 2026 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 in Kansas City. The Big 12 introduced LED courts to its conference tournament this year. Concerns about slipping led the Big 12 to replace its innovative LED glass courts with traditional hardwood for the remainder of the conference tournament in Kansas City, Missouri.
The switch came before the start of Friday’s semifinals between No. 2 Arizona and No. 7 Iowa State and No. 5 Houston and No. 14 Kansas. The championship game takes place Saturday at 6 PM ET.
“After consulting with the coaches of the four semifinal teams, we have decided to transition to hardwood courts for the remainder of the tournament to provide maximum comfort for our student-athletes on the big stage this weekend,” Commissioner Brett Yormark said in a statement following the quarterfinals Thursday night. “We look forward to a great semi-final and championship match.”
The LED court showcased innovative features such as implementing various graphics in real time and lighting up the 3-point line when attempting a shot from behind the arc.
However, several players struggled with slipping and superficial grip issues during the first three days of the tournament and last week’s Big 12 women’s tournament.
Texas Tech star Christian Anderson, projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, suffered a groin injury after slipping in the second half of Thursday’s quarterfinal game against Iowa State.
“Apparently the floor was a little slippery and I guess I made a mistake or made a movement and slipped and ended up in a slightly unnatural position,” he said. “That was it.”
Kansas coach Bill Self called the decision to switch to a traditional court “the right thing to do.”
–Field level media
