Big 12 ditches glass floor mid-tournament over player safety fears
The Big 12 Conference has decided to replace its glass floor with traditional hardwood for the final two days of this year's tournament. The move follows concerns over player safety after a Texas Tech athlete suffered an injury linked to the surface.
The glass floor, supplied by ASB GlassFloor, had been used in NBA All-Star Games and European events but never before in an official U.S. college tournament. Before 2024, no NCAA men's or women's basketball championship had ever taken place on this type of surface.
Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark made the decision after speaking with coaches from the four semifinal teams. Kansas coach Bill Self, though not part of the discussions, publicly backed the switch to hardwood. The change comes after Texas Tech guard Christian Anderson strained a muscle from slipping on the glass during a game. Officials cited player comfort and safety as the main reasons for the shift. The high-stakes nature of the tournament games added urgency to the decision.
The Big 12 will now use hardwood for the final rounds of its tournament. The move addresses immediate safety concerns while ensuring a familiar playing surface for athletes. This marks the first time the conference has abandoned the glass floor mid-event.
