Ohio State Buckeyes star Brice Sensabaugh narrowly escaped injury Saturday night after a bizarre incident that delayed the game against the Indiana Hoosiers in Bloomington.
Just before the start of the second half, as Sensabaugh ran near midcourt, a metal rod fell from the scoreboard, nearly hitting the Buckeyes freshman.
The Ohio State-Indiana game had a delay for several minutes after a metal rod fell from the jumbotron at Assembly Hall.
It almost hit Ohio State star freshman Brice Sensabaugh. pic.twitter.com/uVTwuGRnbg
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 29, 2023
The falling debris caused a brief delay in the action as officials verified what had fallen and made sure the situation was safe to continue. Indiana Basketball’s Twitter account labeled it a “scoreboard malfunction.”
Five minute delay due to a scoreboard malfunction.#IUBB
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) January 29, 2023
Fans weren’t sure what they’d just witnessed, and wondered if a quick five-minute inspection did enough to ensure safety. Awful Announcing founder Ben Koo tweeted, “Sheesh man. First round picks out here almost getting crushed by falling debris.”
“Malfunction is an understatement. Damn near impaled a player,” tweeted Jeremiah Wheatley.
“5 minutes will ensure everyone is safe!” tweeted Go Hoosiers.
“Could have killed Brice Sensabaugh!” tweeted a fan.
Sheesh man. First round picks out here almost getting crushed by falling debris https://t.co/8sMUxfaxea pic.twitter.com/gYrMUEmOby
— Ben Koo (@bkoo) January 29, 2023
Malfunction is an understatement. Damn near impaled a player.
— Jeremiah Wheatley (@jrwheatl22) January 29, 2023
5 minutes will ensure everyone is safe!
— Go Hoosiers (@Go_Hoosiers) January 29, 2023
— CM (@CharlesMilian) January 29, 2023
Could have killed Brice Sensabaugh!
— Katie (@OhWeeBeasties) January 29, 2023
The Hoosiers home court, Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, opened during the 1971-72 season. It was renovated and rededicated in 2016. Needless to say, a “scoreboard malfunction” that almost drops a metal piece on a player’s head is not a good look for any court.
On a positive note, the Hoosiers had head coach Mike Woodson back on the bench Saturday. He had missed the previous game while recovering from COVID-19.
