Tensions Run High During March Madness Game as Fan Throws Water Bottle on Court

Things got heated in Kentucky Thursday night as the No. 8-seeded Louisville Cardinals bowed out early in March Madness, losing 89-75 to No. 9 Creighton. For fans of the Cardinals, the frustration was palpable—and for one fan, it boiled over spectacularly.

In the game’s final seconds, with tensions already high, Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey was hit with a technical foul after a spirited exchange with officials. But that moment was quickly overshadowed by an even bigger disruption—a fan launched a water bottle onto the court, aiming perilously close to the Creighton bench. The game halted briefly as everyone processed what just happened.

Play-by-play announcer Brian Anderson summed it up best: "That was a full bottle of water. That was very dangerous, and it went right over the Creighton bench. Whoever did that should never be allowed to come into this arena again." Honestly, no arguments there.

Creighton head coach Greg McDermott took matters into his own hands, grabbing a towel to clean up the mess. Meanwhile, his team was busy making a mess of Louisville’s defense. Jamiya Neal shone with a career-high 29 points and 12 rebounds, while Steven Ashworth drained three-pointers like they were going out of style, tallying 22 points. McDermott’s Bluejays showcased their postseason experience, securing their fifth consecutive March Madness opener victory.

For Louisville, it was a bittersweet return to the tournament after a five-year absence. Despite a commendable 27-8 season and a ranking of No. 10 in the AP Top 25, the Cardinals couldn’t overcome Creighton’s firepower. Chucky Hepburn and Terrence Edwards Jr. did their best, scoring 22 and 21 points respectively, but it wasn’t enough to save the day.

"They played well today. They were the better team," Coach Kelsey admitted, showing grace in defeat. Louisville may have improved dramatically from last season, but Creighton’s postseason savvy proved to be the difference-maker.

Next up, the Bluejays will face No. 1 Auburn in the Round of 32 on Saturday. Should they pull off the upset, it would mark their fourth Sweet 16 appearance in the last five tournaments. No pressure, right?