The Big 12 is debuting an interesting court design for its conference tournament, and players are not happy, to say the least.
In the name of innovation and experimentation, the Big 12 unveiled a glass LED court. Players were quick to complain about its condition in comparison to the hardwood they are used to playing on, while fans called the gray-colored court “an eyesore”.
Players Stack Up Against the Big 12 and Its New LED Court, Citing Dizziness and Grip Issues
As the Big 12 Tournament kicked off on Tuesday, an interesting court design took fans by surprise.
Ahead of the tournament, the Big 12 and commissioner Brett Yormark became the first to use a glass floor for an official commission in the United States. The court was a major talking point postgame, and players’ reviews were not positive.
Kansas State forward Taj Manning on the Big 12 Tournament’s glass LED floor:
“It’s pretty bad, to be honest. It’s slippery. The lights and stuff caused Khamari (McGriff) to get a migraine. It’s a bad floor, they shouldn’t bring it back… Nobody wants to play on that thing, just… pic.twitter.com/SpBvPsl7hb
— College Sports Only (@CSOonX) March 11, 2026
“It’s pretty bad, to be honest. It’s slippery. The lights and stuff caused Khamari (McGriff) to get a migraine. It’s a bad floor, they shouldn’t bring it back… Nobody wants to play on that thing, just want the normal hardwood.” Kansas State forward Taj Manning told reporters.
Manning took a strong stance against the court, stating that not only was it difficult to get accustomed to, but it also became a problem for players, especially when moving quickly up and down the court.
McGriff confirmed he was suffering from migraines during the game due to the bright and ever-changing flashing lights on the court.
Kansas State’s Khamari McGriff said he was suffering migraine symptoms during the second half of the Wildcats’ loss to BYU because of the LED floor.
Multiple players said it was “bad” and “slippery.”
— Wyatt Wheeler (@WyattWheeler_) March 11, 2026
“Kansas State’s Khamari McGriff said he was suffering migraine symptoms during the second half of the Wildcats’ loss to BYU because of the LED floor.” Kansas State Beat Reporter Wyatt Wheeler said.
Migraines were not the only issues players brought to light. Multiple players called the glass court slippery while carrying more of a bounce than hardwood floors.
Iowa State guard Tamin Lipsey comments on the LED court at the Big 12 stadium. T.J. Otzelberger, Jamarion Batemon and Lipsey said it has more bounce and is a bit slippery. Lipsey said there could be a grip difference in the shoes: pic.twitter.com/KYYvswSHDV
— Alec Busse (@alec_busse) March 10, 2026
“I think it’ll definitely affect some things, probably both sides of the ball, though, I guess maybe it depends on what shoes you have on… because some guys had a little bit more grip than other guys.” Iowa State guard Tamin Lipsey said, when asked how the glass court would affect the tournament’s play.
Players have mounted calls to get rid of the glass LED court since the tournament began, with players slipping right from the get-go.
“It’s nice,” says BYU center Keba Keita. “It’s cool. Good-looking court. But I don’t know how I feel about playing on it.” Keita slipped on the court in the first half and had to leave the game. He returned not long after with an ice bag taped to his knee, avoiding what could have been a serious knee injury.
Even former NBA player and Wisconsin alum Frank Kaminsky III chimed in, voicing his displeasure with the court.
Ban this type of floor. It should be illegal. Whoever had this idea send them to jail https://t.co/gqTVPLhzUD
— Frank Kaminsky III (@FSKPart3) March 11, 2026
“Ban this type of floor. It should be illegal. Whoever had this idea, send them to jail.” Kaminsky III said.
Ensuring a safe court is essential in all professional basketball, but it becomes especially critical in a tournament featuring projected top-five NBA Draft picks Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa.
Dybantsa even had some comments of his own, voicing his issues with the glass floor.
“I like the idea of the court,” said BYU star AJ Dybantsa. “It’s a little slippery in terms of glass, but other than that I like the court.”
We even saw projected first-round pick and Texas Tech star Christian Anderson leave his team’s loss to Iowa State with an apparent groin injury after slipping on the court.
KEEP READING: BYU Star AJ Dybantsa Makes Feelings Clear on Big 12 Player of the Year Snub
While the Big 12 was excited to debut this innovative court, fans and players alike believe it should be a one-and-done situation. Or at the very least, that they should go back to drawing board and come back with a superior prototype.
For now, it is unlikely that calls from players voicing their displeasure will stop here, and with plenty of basketball left to play in the tournament, health must be priority number one.
