A chartered plane carrying the Auburn University men's basketball team was forced to turn back on Friday after two players engaged in a physical altercation, disrupting the team's travel plans and jeopardizing their upcoming game against the University of Houston Cougars.

Grounded by Conflict: The Incident that Rocked the Auburn Tigers

Midair Mayhem: The Altercation Unfolds

The incident occurred shortly after the Meregrass Flight 681 took off from the Auburn University Regional Airport, bound for William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Texas. According to the flight tracking site FlightAware, the plane departed at 2:40 p.m. on Friday, but was forced to return to the airport around 3:30 p.m. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the flight crew had "reported a passenger disturbance," though they provided no further details.In audio obtained by CBS News, the pilot of the plane can be heard telling air traffic controllers that two players "got into a physical alteration" and that "clothes were ripped." The incident involved freshman forward Jahki Howard and senior forward Ja'Heim Hudson, sources told CBS Sports.

Grounded and Grounded: The Aftermath of the Incident

Both players were barred from boarding a second flight that left the airport later that night, according to CBS Sports. As a result, the two players will miss the highly-anticipated game against the University of Houston Cougars on Saturday.Auburn University has not yet released a statement regarding the incident, despite telling CBS Sports that they would do so. The university's silence on the matter has only added to the growing speculation and uncertainty surrounding the team's preparations for the upcoming game.

Profiles of the Players Involved

Jahki Howard, 19, was the 2024 King's Hawaiian National Slam Dunk Champion, according to his biography. He has been a promising addition to the Auburn Tigers roster, showcasing his athleticism and skill on the court.Ja'Heim Hudson, 22, has a more extensive basketball background, having played for two seasons at the University of Georgia and one season at Southern Methodist University before transferring to the University of Auburn for his senior year. Despite his experience, the altercation has now jeopardized his final season with the Tigers.

The Impact on the Team and the Game

The incident has undoubtedly cast a shadow over the Auburn Tigers' preparations for their upcoming game against the University of Houston Cougars. With two key players sidelined, the team's depth and chemistry will be tested, potentially affecting their performance on the court.The game itself has been highly anticipated, as the Auburn Tigers and the University of Houston Cougars are both ranked among the top teams in the nation. The absence of Howard and Hudson could significantly impact the outcome of the match, potentially shifting the balance of power in the college basketball landscape.As the Auburn Tigers and their fans await further updates and the team's response to the incident, the reverberations of this midair altercation will undoubtedly be felt long after the final buzzer sounds on Saturday night.