Big 12 Tournament Switches to Hardwood Court After Player Safety Concerns
Kansas City, MO – The Big 12 Conference has reverted to a traditional hardwood court for the final two days of its men’s basketball tournament after concerns arose regarding player safety on the newly installed ASB GlassFloor. The decision, announced Thursday night, came after consultation with the coaches of the four semifinal teams.
Concerns Over Slippery Surface
Numerous players experienced slipping during games played on the glass court, leading to at least one reported injury. Texas Tech guard Christian Anderson strained a muscle during the Red Raiders’ loss to Iowa State, attributing the injury to the slippery surface according to reports.
“Obviously, the floor is a bit slippery,” Anderson said. “I consider I just kind of mis-stepped or did a movement that caused me to slip.”
Yormark’s Decision and Coach Reactions
Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark stated that the change was made to prioritize the comfort and safety of the student-athletes. “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 said in a statement as reported by the Daily Mail.
Kansas coach Bill Self indicated he wasn’t directly involved in the decision but supported the move. “I personally didn’t have any involvement (in the decision to go to hardwood),” Self said. “If the other coaches are doing it, (they) have juice and they got more than I got. Because I didn’t have any any involvement with that at all.” He added, “I think it’s the right thing to do.”
About the ASB GlassFloor
The ASB GlassFloor, which has been used in NBA All-Star Games and in Europe, features an aluminum and steel spring-action design intended to mimic the feel of hardwood. The court also incorporates LED panels with a ceramic coating and etched glass designed to provide consistent traction. However, players reported experiencing more squeaking from their sneakers and a different ball bounce.
Yormark Highlights BYU’s Dybantsa
During a press conference on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, Commissioner Yormark praised BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa, stating he should be considered for National Player of the Year honors according to Yahoo Sports. Dybantsa leads the nation in scoring and is on track to be the first underclassman to achieve this since 2021.
“I want to start off with BYU’s AJ Dybantsa. He’s had an outstanding year, and should absolutely be part of those conversations. He currently leads the nation in scoring and is on track to be the first underclassmen to lead the nation in scoring since 2021. He’s had a fabulous season,” Yormark said.