Innovation is everything in college sports in recent years. Innovate and stay ahead of the game, or risk being left behind.
The Big 12 chose innovation for their 2026 conference tournament, opting to deploy a glass LED floor instead of the traditional hardwood floor. While primarily grey, the court was flashy at times, with the three-point line lighting up and advertisements of the Big 12 tournament flashing on the floor during timeouts. It all seemed a little futuristic — maybe too futuristic on second thought for Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark.
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According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, the Big 12 has decided to do away with the glass LED floor and go back to the traditional hardwood for the final three games, featuring a set of semifinal games on Friday and the championship on Saturday. There were reportedly mixed reviews about the court, “including feedback that is is slippery.”
Yormark issued the following statement to ESPN:
“The focus now needs to be on four of the best teams in the country and not the court. I look forward to a great semi-finals and championship.”
The matchups that will be played on Friday will feature the Iowa State Cyclones and Arizona Wildcats squaring off to face the winner of the Houston Cougars and Kansas Jayhawks. All four teams are ranked inside the top 14 of the AP Poll, with Houston and Arizona both ranking inside the top 5. All four harbor both Big 12 and national championship hopes.
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Now, after victories for each squad on a futuristic glass LED court, the championship will now be won on the hardwood.
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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Big 12 does away with LED basketball court for conference tournament
