A plane carrying the Auburn men’s basketball team had to make an unscheduled diversion due to a reported altercation during the flight, as reported by WBRC. The Tigers were en route to Texas, where they are set to compete against the fourth-ranked Houston team at the Toyota Center this Saturday.
The pilot opted to make an emergency landing in Montgomery, Alabama, after air traffic control inquired about the situation on board. The pilot humorously noted, “We have a bunch of basketball players fighting,” indicating that while there was some conflict, it was not a severe threat.
Though the incident caused a brief interruption, ESPN later reported that the scuffle was resolved before escalating and the flight crew decided to return to Auburn as a precautionary measure. Auburn is still planning to travel to Houston on Friday night for the game.
The Tigers currently hold a 1-0 record for the season, following a significant victory over Vermont earlier this week.
Overall, this incident serves as a reminder that, while tensions can occasionally flare during high-stress travel situations, the team appears to be managing the situation well and remains focused on their upcoming game. This resilience can be a positive sign for the team’s cohesion and performance on the court.