Aftermath of Memphis-UAB fracas

Posted: Monday February 18, 2008 07:14AM ET

Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson said Sunday he didn't expect any repercussions either for UAB or Tiger basketball players following an ugly postgame fracas that nearly turned violent Saturday night at Bartow Arena. Johnson spoke with both Conference USA commissioner Britton Banowsky and UAB athletic director Brian Mackin on Sunday morning via conference call to review how hostilities escalated so quickly after Chris Douglas-Roberts' three-point play with 6.5 seconds left gave the Tigers an improbable 79-78 victory. Blazers forward Lawrence Kinnard's put-back was clearly too late, but some UAB students apparently believed UAB had won the game and started running onto the court. Some Memphis players -- primarily Pierre Niles, Jeff Robinson and Shawn Taggart -- came off the bench and ran to the opposite side of the court, where there appeared to be a near-confrontation with the students. Immediately, the Memphis coaching staff and security intervened, pulling them toward the locker room. Meanwhile, as the Tigers ran into the tunnel, cups, pom-pons and even a bottle of alcohol was thrown at them from the stands.

Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis vs UAB, AP

Memphis vs UAB, AP

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who would of thunk it

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.........And thats what I love about the South........

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Idiots who run on a field of play, or scoop up a ground ball at a baseball game while the ball is in play, together prove America is no more an advanced nation than any other third-world nation we all think we are better than. Please stay in your seats and slow down on the Bud Lights you stupid Americans. You're making the Americans with brain cells and common sense look bad every night around the world.

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here's hoping Tennessee brings these guys down a notch. what is it that Vitale says ... cupcake city. talent is nice, but scheduling is everything if you're outside the ACC or Pac10.

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I know it was one game but Memphis cannot win the national championship. I watched that UAB game and they are a vulnerable squad.

Glad to see it now before I lose hundreds on some brackets.

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East Coast Keith, you may be correct on appearance to other countries about Americans and poor practices of some of the fans, but there are few if any other countries any better. They all have their issues. How about the supposedly more civilized Europeans and their hooligans or other fans stampeding after soccer games in Europe? No matter the location there are stupid fans/people everywhere. That does not mean all fans are that way. Lay off the bashing of Americans. We are not the only country with idiots.

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I wasn't saying we were the only country with idiots azjeff45. We're a country who thinks we're better and more civilized than everyone else. And we're dead wrong about that.

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Let's slow down on this one. A few drunken 'Bama residents does not equal an earth-shattering international incident.

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Heck, that's nothing. The real rednecks are all at NASCAR races throwing beer cans when Dale Jr gets beat. The idiots even threw full beer cans. The rednecks aren't smart enough to know that throwing full cans and bottles of alcohol is wasting half your weekly paycheck (for each can).

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1) UAB has a good team and deserves some respect nationally

2) it's a rivalry game. it meant alot to the UAB students

3) a Memphis player punched a UAB for taunting. that is what happened, nothing to do with the UAB fans. they were just yelling taunts.

4) things like this happen all the time. not just in the south.

5) regional discrimination should be against the law. if being fat is discriminatory

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Now thats more like it, a little excitement..kids will be kids...

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No booze no problems. Bring back the prohibition.

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dear J. Hova, I am University of Memphis student and I will be the first to tell you they did pull an amazing feat but deserved to lose that game. I will admit that and it hurts me to say it, but it's true. As far as you saying memphis is a vulnerable, what team in the NCAA isn't? Duke just lost to Wake Forest. Argue all you want about history but for the last 6 years Wake Forest has been an absolutely terrible school for college basketball. Saying Memphis is a vulnerable team and can lose is crazy any tean can lose in sports. New England Patriots anybody? I rest my case. Get some opinions that the ESPN analysists haven't force feed your gay ****.

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Mexner,

Wake Forest absolutely terrible in college basketball for the last 6 yrs?! Do you not remember a kid named Chris Paul? They were a #2 seed in either 2003 or 2004.

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Mexner makes some terrific points however...

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Memphis needs to lose a game before going into the tournament. All eyes will be on them if they don't and with such a young team it wouldn't be surprising to see them fold under the pressure.

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I was at the game. One thing that nobody in the media tells you is that Dozier put his finger in his butt and was touching people on the face. That **** is a gross SOB.

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c note- memphis a young team? other than d. rose, the rest of the team has been to 2 straight elite 8's. i would say they are a veteran squad.. ready to win it all.

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who the heck is memphis playing in their cream-puff conference anyway?
UAB...as far as I know has never been seen as a powerhouse team...this whole Memphis #1 deal is dumb...until they actually play a SERIES of games against real oppenents this pseudo-rank will continue. I can't stand Duke...but Duke has to play a WF, a Maryland, a UNC a BC a Clemson a GT etc etc etc...on a regular basis.

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ok I admit I did forget about Chris Paul at Wake Forest so strike that comment. I'm not arguing that Memphis plays in a hard conference. They don't. THey don't play a UNC or a Duke but to say them being the #1 team in the land is dumb isn't correct. It's hard for any team in any conference to go undefeated regardless of ranking. Every team you play is going after you, regardless if it's UTEP or Kansas.

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