Kansas State University

K-State player rips Big 12 Tournament’s ‘eyesore’ court, says it caused migraine

Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways

AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.

Read our AI Policy.


  • McGriff left after developing a migraine during play on the LED court.
  • Manning called the court slippery and blamed its lights for migraine.
  • Big 12 debuted the LED glass court and it drew mixed reactions.

Khamari McGriff spent the final moments of Kansas State’s 105-91 loss to BYU in the opening round of the Big 12 Tournament on the end of the bench as he covered his eyes with a white towel.

At first glance, it appeared as though the senior forward may have been overcome with emotion as he came to grips with this being the final game of not just the season but his entire college basketball career.

But there was another reason.

After scoring 13 points in 15 minutes of action on a special LED floor that flashed lights beneath his feet all evening, he was knocked out of the game with a migraine.

Employees of ASB GlassFloor test and finish installing the companies state-of-the-art glass LED basketball court, on Monday, March 2, 2026, at T-Mobile Center. The court, being used for the first time for a college basketball game, is controlled through a tablet which is capable of changing the look of the court at the press of a button.
Employees of ASB GlassFloor test and finish installing the company’s glass LED basketball court on Monday, March 2, 2026, at T-Mobile Center. The court, being used for the first time for college basketball throughout the Big 12 Tournament, is controlled through a tablet which is capable of changing the look of the court at the press of a button. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com

“I suffer with seasonal migraines,” McGriff said. “Early in the second half, I started to feel pain and my head started pounding after that.”

Despite the painful headache, McGriff said he thought the glass floor was a fun feature at the Big 12 Tournament.

“I actually liked it,” McGriff said. “For me, it didn’t feel necessarily slippery. I thought it was cool.”

One of his teammates was not as kind.

When K-State forward Taj Manning was asked about his experience on the Big 12’s court, he didn’t hold back.

Taj Manning #15 of the Kansas State Wildcats fouls Robert Wright III #1 of the BYU Cougars during the first round game of the Men's 2026 Big 12 Tournament at T-Mobile Center on March 10, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Taj Manning #15 of the Kansas State Wildcats fouls Robert Wright III #1 of the BYU Cougars during the first round game of the Men's 2026 Big 12 Tournament at T-Mobile Center on March 10, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. Jamie Squire Getty Images

“It’s slippery,” Manning said. “The lights and stuff caused Khamari to get a migraine. It’s a bad court. They shouldn’t bring it back. It’s just an eyesore. It’s constantly changing and stuff and flashing different lights. Nobody wants to play on that floor.”

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark debuted the glass floor last week during the women’s Big 12 Tournament in his venue.

He has billed it as a revolutionary piece of technology that will set the Big 12 Tournament apart from other events that are taking place across the country this week.

Many, including Baylor head coach Scott Drew, have given the court good reviews.

But the K-State Wildcats didn’t have a good experience on it.

Graphic explainer of how the glass sports floor works

This story was originally published March 10, 2026 at 9:34 PM.

Related Stories from Wichita Eagle
Kellis Robinett
The Wichita Eagle
Kellis Robinett covers Kansas State athletics for The Wichita Eagle and The Kansas City Star. A winner of more than a dozen national writing awards, he lives in Manhattan with his wife and four children.
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER