Court Switch Shakes Up Big 12 Semifinals

Kansas won its quarterfinal match with a narrow 78‑73 score, and the Big 12 Conference made a surprise decision afterward: the tournament’s hardwood will change for Friday’s semifinals. The league said that after talking with coaches from the remaining teams, they chose a traditional wooden floor to give players better footing and safety on this important night. The previous surface was a high‑tech LED video floor that the conference introduced earlier in the season, but officials felt it might not provide the usual traction. Kansas coach Bill Self welcomed the switch. He noted that while the LED floor wasn’t terrible, it could still cause players to slip or slide. Self said the change would help keep the focus on gameplay rather than surface concerns. He also highlighted player safety, especially for those who have struggled with injuries this season.Jayhawk seniors and freshmen shared mixed feelings. Senior Melvin Council Jr. called the new court odd but said his teammates would adapt quickly. Freshman Darryn Peterson expressed relief that the floor returned to hardwood, and he was ready to keep scoring points for his team. He led Kansas with 24 points and eight rebounds, proving he could perform well regardless of the surface. The upcoming matchup pits Kansas against Houston, both teams that are contenders for deep tournament runs. Any injury caused by the court could affect not only the two squads but the conference’s reputation for player safety. The semifinal game is scheduled to start at 8:30 p. m. Central Time.