In the storied history of sports pranks, perhaps none is more classic than setting off the fire alarm at the opposing team’s hotel the night before a game. The latest in a long line of fire alarm pranks seemingly took place in Tuscaloosa where Kentucky’s men’s basketball team was awakened not once, not twice but three times by the fire alarm.
UK spokesman confirms fire alarms went off at 3:30, 5 and 7 a.m. at team hotel in Tuscaloosa. That's miserable before noon local tip.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_AJC) February 11, 2017
Thanks to 3 false alarms at team hotel overnight, Cats could be a little fuzzy. First alarm at 3:30, then 2 more at 5:00 & 7. No one happy.
— Oscar Combs (@wildcatnews) February 11, 2017
Fire alarm went off three times during night at hotel where Kentucky basketball team is staying in Tuscaloosa. Hotel was evacuated once.
— John Clay (@johnclayiv) February 11, 2017
Yes, being disturbed once by a fire alarm in the middle of the night when on the road is hardly a joy. Having to be disturbed a second time after the commotion of the first incident is hard enough too. Doing so a third time? That’s just crazy. But if the plan was to disrupt Kentucky’s basketball team by keeping them from sleeping to give Alabama the edge in the early game, that mission failed. Kentucky pulled ahead in the first half and kept ahead in an even second half of play to leave town with a 67-58 victory to improve to 19-5 on the season.
As of now, there is no indication anyone has been caught pulling the fire alarm at the hotel.