The manufacturer behind the custom floor panels for the Final Four at the NCAA mens basketball tournament has reportedly denied that there were any flaws in the surface.
Questions surfaced on social media during Monday's title game after UNC star Armando Bacot re-aggrevated a sprained ankle on a crucial possession late in the second half.
Viral clips appeared to show the court buckle as Bacot planted his balky right ankle.
But on Tuesday, Connor Sports, the company that made and installed the floor panels at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, told ESPN that the surface functioned as designed, citing its "absorption characteristics."
A vice president for the firm told ESPN:
"The court's absorption characteristics are by design, and there were no loose floorboards or panels within the court, as confirmed by an expert technician who was present at every game of the men's Final Four to ensure the quality and safety of the floor."
On Wednesday, Bacot responded to an ESPN tweet linking to the story, posting a "thinking" emoji.
Bacot, a third-year big man, saw heavy action in the championship game despite entering the contest with a questionable tag after spraining his ankle in his team's thrilling upset of arch-rival Duke in the Final Four.
He logged 38 minutes, second-most among Tar Heels, and recorded 15 and 15 rebounds before he sat for the final 40 seconds or so after the injury. On the play in question, with his team trailing by just one point, Bacot was dribbling toward the rim. He turned over the ball when he rolled the ankle and went down in a heap on the floor.
Kansas would go on to tack on two more points to extend their lead to three, which was the final margin.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram