The bus driving Southern Illinois’ basketball team home from a road game got stuck in a ditch along Interstate 57 on Sunday night. Illinois has been pounded by snow since New Year’s Day.
Southern Illinois’ basketball team is stuck in snow
It’s been snowing all week in Illinois. The Salukis learned that the hard way coming home from their game on Sunday night.
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
According to an ESPN report, the bus got stuck after the driver pulled off the road with hopes of waiting out the snowstorm. Once the driver tried to get the bus back on the road, it was immovable. The highway was closed at this point, and they were unable to get a tow. They likely won’t get back to campus until Monday morning after taking on Illinois State on Sunday afternoon.
UPDATE: Progress!
SIU mens basketball team is being wenched out of the snow by Reynold's Towing of Champaign and intends to drive to the nearest hotel.
— Daily Egyptian (@dailyegyptian) January 6, 2014 The SIU players took to Twitter and were having some fun with their situation. There were some skeptics to whether or not the bus driver actually pulled off the road for safety reasons, or if he just lost control of the wheel:
Why they tryna say he pulled over like he ain't drive off the road.
— Michael Balogun (@MikeBss) January 6, 2014 UPDATE: We are in the same exact spot. Have not seen one car pass by the past hour
— Tyler Smithpeters (@Tsmithpeters20) January 6, 2014 @KellyBurkeSprts UPDATE: a few whispers of cannibalism as the night grows darker
— Bronson Verhines (@B_Verhines) January 6, 2014 Lmao a police officer just pulled up and said.. "Why y'all sittin on the bus with your thumbs up your ass, better get out here and do sumn"
— Jalen Pendleton (@easymoneyJUICE) January 6, 2014 Are we seriously stuck on the side of the road? This can't be life! Pray4Us.. #SIUBB
— Jalen Pendleton (@easymoneyJUICE) January 6, 2014 The athletic department said that the players are perfectly safe (and warm) on this cold night, though it will be hours before anyone can get them out of the ditch.
Hey, nothing like a little team bonding in the middle of a snowstorm.
More from SB Nation College Basketball
See More:
