KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Not all flashy innovations and inventions were meant to last. The Big 12 Conference’s experimental run and attempt to use the innovative ASB GlassFloor, an LED glass court, is over.
After completing the Big 12 women’s basketball tournament and the first three rounds of the men’s tournament using the high-tech glass surface court, the Big 12 Conference is switching to a traditional hardwood court for the remainder of the men’s conference tournament as a result of mixed reviews.
The ASB GlassFloor was used for the first, second and quarterfinal rounds of the Big 12 men’s basketball tournament. Following the last quarterfinal contest, Kansas’ 78-73 victory over TCU on March 12, the conference announced the change to wood.
Friday’s semifinals (including the 6 p.m. Iowa State vs. Arizona matchup) and Saturday’s championship game will use a familiar, traditional hardwood surface.
“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,” Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said in a statement. “We look forward to a great semifinals and championship game.”
The ASB GlassFloor has been previously used by professional European basketball teams during games and was featured in the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend for the 3-point contest, dunk contest and skills competition.
The Big 12 Tournament marked the first time that the ASB GlassFloor had been used in official competition in the United States.
The glass surface court gave the Big 12 an opportunity to use immersive graphics and animations to enhance the viewing experience and provide fans a unique way to watch basketball games, from pregame introductions to the final whistle. However, concerns over the slippery nature of the court were a constant theme throughout the tournament on the men’s and women’s sides.
Reviews were mixed. Some players didn’t have any difficulty adjusting to the new playing surface, while others had to switch to certain sneaker models in an attempt to get better grip on the court. Slippage was a frequent sight throughout the week.
Kansas State player Khamari McGriff reportedly suffered migraines as a result of the on-court displays and animations.
“I hope they change it back next year,” Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson said after the Cyclones’ second-round win over Arizona State on Wednesday, March 11.
That change will be coming sooner and swifter than he anticipated.
Fifth-seeded Iowa State men’s basketball will play top-seeded Arizona in the first semifinal game of the day. It’ll be the first contest to return to the familiar wood playing surface. Tip-off is scheduled for Friday 6 p.m. CT at T-Mobile Center (ESPN).
Second-seeded Houston and third-seeded Kansas will play in Friday’s other semifinal game at 8:30 p.m. CT.
The championship game is scheduled for Saturday, March 14 at 5 p.m. CT. That game will be televised on ESPN.
Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at erapay@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Big 12 switching to wood court for remainder of conference tournament
Reporting by Eugene Rapay, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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