Truth & Rumors > NCAA

Is Coach K right about fans storming the court?

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06:54 PM ET 03.01 | Duke has been the victim of more than one court rush this season, and it's starting to bother the great Mike Krzyzewski. After the Blue Devils suffered their latest upset loss, Coach K told the press that it's "cool" that the other team won but students should remain seated and not rush the court until Duke is good and ready to leave for the locker room. "Whatever you're doing, you need to get the team off first," Krzyzewski said, according to the Raleigh News & Observer. "Look, celebrate, have fun, obviously you won, that's cool. Just get our team off the court and our coaching staff before students come on." This isn't the first time Coach K has spoken up on the matter of students rushing the court after big wins. When Duke picked up a win over North Carolina earlier in February, Coach K was seen raising his hands as if he was trying to stop students attempting to rush the court. We didn't really know what he was doing at the time, but his comments after losing to Virginia help put the hand raising incident into context.

Fansided

Mike Krzyzewski, Getty Images/Streeter Lecka Mike Krzyzewski, Getty Images/Streeter Lecka
March 2, 2013  12:58 AM ET

I can understand Coach K's concern. A home team's student body rushing the court after a big upset does have the potential to get ugly. It's a very vulnerable moment for the visiting team, with emotions high and provocative behavior by students and players alike a probability.

I think security cadres at arenas across the country need to have a contingency plan in place in games where a big upset is imminent. Immediately after the final horn blows, a wall of officers must cordon the visitors and hasten them off the court as quickly as possible to preclude any incidents. Post-game congrats and fist-bumps need to be dispensed with in this instance. Sportsmanship would have to be trumped by player safety first, IMO.

This doesn't fit with Coach K's vision of post-game celebration, but a few dozen rental cops are not realistically going to hold back hundreds of ecstatic fans all rushing the court at the same time.

March 2, 2013  01:19 AM ET

Maybe if the Dukies would start winning games they're suppose to.. none of this would happen

March 2, 2013  07:33 AM ET
QUOTE(#2):

Maybe if the Dukies would start winning games they're suppose to.. none of this would happen

I'm all for blaming Duke for everything. But in this case, coach K is right.

Comment #4 has been removed
March 2, 2013  09:09 AM ET

It's not like this is the first time the fans have stormed the court...Coach K should have policies and practices in place for this and the arenas should have policies in place as well.

Sounds more like trying to deflect the losing from the team...

March 2, 2013  09:19 AM ET
QUOTE(#3):

I'm all for blaming Duke for everything. But in this case, coach K is right.

Let the students have fun.

March 2, 2013  12:05 PM ET
QUOTE(#6):

Let the students have fun.

Yes, but now days you never know what some of them are capable of. If it's truly a safety issue then K has a point.

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March 2, 2013  12:59 PM ET
QUOTE(#3):

I'm all for blaming Duke for everything.

Yep. And did you know that Coach Kruzawoooski is the reason behind gas prices going up again?

March 2, 2013  01:09 PM ET
QUOTE(#13):

Yep. And did you know that Coach Kruzawoooski is the reason behind gas prices going up again?

It's Kobe's fault.........

March 2, 2013  01:47 PM ET
QUOTE(#14):

It's Kobe's fault.........

Can we blame both of them?

March 2, 2013  01:52 PM ET
QUOTE(#10):

so lets stop people from crossing the street tooor flyingor even going to games, cause you never know when the stands will just collapse into a sinkholecome on.its not like the kids have bats and are looking to beat people downand in theory- they shouldn't be drunk as they are all young

I said he has a point I didn't say I agreed or that everyone should be banned. Way to take it to the extreme.

This much is obvious: kids now days show more disrespect to others than ever before. I know I have 3 young adults (2 in college). A player could get hurt in the stampede of students especially the ones that are stumblin' drunk and disrespectful.

March 2, 2013  01:58 PM ET

Coach K is a joke.I lost all repect for him when he turn his back on the Lacross team and their coach when they were being railroaded.

March 2, 2013  02:28 PM ET
QUOTE(#7):

Yes, but now days you never know what some of them are capable of. If it's truly a safety issue then K has a point.

What does this even mean? College kids are still college kids. I can't remember the last time I heard of anyone engaging a visiting player. K can say this because Duke wins are rarely upsets, but I guarantee you if his fans did this, you wouldn't hear a peep from him.

March 2, 2013  02:48 PM ET
QUOTE(#18):

What does this even mean? College kids are still college kids....

See post 16.

 
March 2, 2013  03:04 PM ET

If they are that concerned...and it is that dangerous, then they should just put up a plastic wall around the court so the fans can't rush the court....simple.

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