During Thursday’s first-round March Madness game between Louisville and Creighton, tensions were high and one fan threw a full plastic water bottle onto the court. The game was briefly paused due to Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey’s technical foul. Players were huddled around the court when the water bottle flew toward the heads of the Creighton players, landing on the court and spilling water everywhere.
According to the Courier Journal, security officials at Rupp Arena were able to identify the bottle thrower and kicked them out of the game. The officials added that the person “would not be able to re-enter for Session 2 games Thursday night or Session 3 games Saturday. Any potential future penalties against the fan will be determined by the NCAA, Rupp Arena officials or both.”
Officials have not released any other statement nor identified the person responsible for the incident. It is unknown if the person will face any criminal charges for the action as was the case when a water bottle was thrown on the field during the BYU football game in 2024.
Related: Teen Arrested for Striking BYU Cheer Coach with a Water Bottle
The spill from the water bottle paused play for several minutes as arena staff and even some Creighton coaches took to the court with towels to clean up the water. Meanwhile, an announcement was made over the Rupp Arena public address system, reminding fans of appropriate behavior.
According to The Athletic, Creighton’s head coach Gregg McDermott “felt a splash” as the water bottle sailed overhead and landed just a few feet away.
After the game, Coach Kelsey referenced the incident as well saying, “Unfortunate but, you know, it happened.”
