The Big 12 has made the decision to change out its controversial court ahead of the men’s conference tournament semifinal games.
The conference has decided to switch back to a hardwood court after experimenting with LED glass floors during the early-round action and throughout the women’s tournament. The court change is expected to be done overnight.
German company ASB GlassFloor developed the LED floor. But that court was said to be slippery, according to Kansas State player Taj Manning, who also claimed it caused one of his teammates to have a migraine.
More: Big 12 tournament glass LED court ‘slippery,’ caused migraines, players say
“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 to CBS Sports and other outlets. “We look forward to a great semifinals and championship game.”
Iowa State will take on Arizona in the first of two semifinal games. Houston and Kansas will go head-to-head in the second game for a chance to play for the conference crown.
All four teams were ranked in the latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. Arizona was the highest-ranked team in the conference at No. 2. Houston is ranked No. 5, Iowa State is No. 7 and Kansas is No. 16.
“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,” said Yormark in a statement to ESPN.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Big 12 court change coming after complaints about LED glass surface
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