Ohio State Coach Chris Holtmann Comments on Metal Falling From Assembly Hall Scoreboard

A piece of metal fell from the scoreboard at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall moments before the second half of Saturday's game between Indiana and Ohio State. Here's what Holtmann said about the situation after the game.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Moments before the second half between Indiana and Ohio State was supposed to resume, a piece of metal fell from the scoreboard hanging above center court at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.

It fell a few feet from Ohio State freshman Brice Sensabaugh, and Indiana announced a 5-minute delay to the second half. Players continued warming up on both baskets. 

That doesn’t look safe … pic.twitter.com/yY5GT544Na

— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) January 29, 2023

Following the delay, the second half carried on like business as usual, but Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann was significantly concerned about resuming play.

"They said it weighted about 10 to 15 pounds," Holtmann said after the game. "It fell approximately 7 feet from Brice. It would have significantly injured Brice had it connected. Thank God it didn't. Yeah, I was concerned about resuming play. Obviously I wanted the game to resume. I wasn't sure if I wanted the game to resume under these circumstances. Obviously it ended up fine, but that would have been a significant, significant thing and thank God that it did not injure Brice or any player for that matter. Thank God for that because it would have.

I told the officials I was concerned about resuming. I wanted the game to resume, obviously. I'm not saying, 'Hey, down 16 we want to call the game.' I wanted the game to resume. I was concerned about resuming it without them going up and taking a look at it or pulling it down and taking a look at it and determining that it was fully functional anthem there are going to be no other issues with it. Obviously their maintenance, their staff, their game-day staff felt like it was fine, but it was a significant concern, especially once I was – what fell was described to me and what it looked like and felt like."

After the game, HoosiersNow.com was told that Indiana plans to lower the scoreboard late Saturday night and examine it prior to the women's basketball game scheduled for 2 p.m. ET on Sunday against Rutgers.

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