Harlan's Hilarious Calls During Iowa-Illinois Horn Malfunction

Veteran broadcaster Kevin Harlan provided entertaining commentary as officials worked to fix the faulty shot clock horn.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 11:28pm

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A malfunctioning shot clock horn at the Toyota Center in Houston caused a bizarre delay during the Elite Eight matchup between the Iowa Hawkeyes and Illinois Fighting Illini on Saturday. Veteran broadcaster Kevin Harlan provided entertaining and humorous commentary as officials worked to address the screeching horn that was disrupting the game.

Why it matters

Harlan's quick wit and ability to engage viewers during unexpected game delays has made him one of the most respected play-by-play announcers in sports. This incident showcases his talent for keeping fans entertained even during unusual technical difficulties.

The details

The shot clock horn at the Toyota Center began malfunctioning, emitting a loud, screeching noise that interrupted gameplay. Officials stopped the game as they worked to address the issue, leading to an extended delay. Throughout the situation, Harlan provided colorful commentary, joking about the horn sounding like a police siren and comparing it to the noise a cat makes.

  • The horn malfunction occurred during the Elite Eight matchup between Iowa and Illinois on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
  • Officials stopped the game to address the faulty shot clock horn.

The players

Kevin Harlan

A veteran play-by-play announcer known for his engaging and humorous commentary during NBA and college basketball games.

Iowa Hawkeyes

The men's basketball team representing the University of Iowa, who were playing in the Elite Eight game when the shot clock horn malfunction occurred.

Illinois Fighting Illini

The men's basketball team representing the University of Illinois, who were playing against Iowa in the Elite Eight game when the shot clock horn malfunction occurred.

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What they’re saying

“It sounds like a police siren! It sounds like a cat!”

— Kevin Harlan, Play-by-Play Announcer

The takeaway

Kevin Harlan's ability to keep viewers entertained during unexpected game delays showcases his talent as one of the most skilled and engaging play-by-play announcers in sports broadcasting.