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NCAA Tourney Buzzer Malfunction Stops Game
29 Mar
Summary
- A loud buzzer malfunction caused a significant delay.
- The game resumed with the main scoreboard remaining dark.
- Two smaller scoreboards were operational during the game.

A significant technical issue disrupted the NCAA Tournament's South Region final between Iowa and Illinois on Saturday, March 28, 2026. A malfunctioning buzzer, which began during a media timeout with 7:43 left in the first half, blared for approximately seven minutes, causing a prolonged and unusual delay. Players initially remained on the court before beginning to warm up as the noise persisted.
After the disruptive buzzer was finally silenced, the game faced another technical challenge as the main scoreboard and video screen above the court went dark. Play eventually resumed, with the large central scoreboard remaining inactive. However, two smaller scoreboards located at opposite ends of the arena continued to function, allowing the game to proceed.