Coach K, Mason Plumlee talk court storming safety after Virginia loss

Submitted by Cold War on

Following Duke’s 73-68 loss to Virginia on Thursday night, the Cavaliers’ student section rushed onto the court as soon as the final buzzer rang, giving neither team ample time to prepare for the masses that flocked to the hardwood...

“Just get our team off the court, and our coaching staff, before students come on,” Krzyzewski said.

The two key issues—players’ and staff safety and players’ reactions—seemed to be ignored by the Virginia security, as fans were allowed to rush the court from all angles, including the Duke bench’s side...

There also is another variable in the court-storming safety equation—the reaction of Duke players. It’s potentially volatile for the players to be in that situation following an unexpected road loss in which emotions were running high.

“If they run at us, it’s fair game. We’re just protecting ourselves,” senior Mason Plumlee said...

 

http://sports.chronicleblogs.com/2013/03/01/coach-k-mason-plumlee-talk-court-storming-safety-after-virginia-loss/

IPFW_Wolverines

March 1st, 2013 at 6:20 AM ^

He's right. There should be something done to get the losing team off the court asap. It is a matter of time until something bad  happens between fans and opposing players. It would be wise to put safety measures in place beforehand.

gobluesasquatch

March 1st, 2013 at 8:15 AM ^

I believe there were two incidents in the late 90s/early 2000s involving Nebraska football and Miami (OH) football players walking off the field as the crowd stormed it. In both cases a player, having lost, ended up striking fans (of course they were drunk) who were charging the field and intimidating them.



I might sound like an old man, but fans - you didn't win the game. You cheered but your participation rarely changes things. Celebrate in the stands - you don't need to rush the court, particularly more than once every few years.



And yes, GET OFF MY LAWN!

MGJS SuperKick Party

March 1st, 2013 at 6:22 AM ^

I completely agree with what Coach K said, even if it was brought up because they lost. The players are in danger, and so are the fans (I wouldn't want an angry Mason Plumlee punching me out of self defense).

JohnnyV123

March 1st, 2013 at 6:31 AM ^

Agree with Coach K but not with Plumlee. No one should become "fair game" to hit or whatever he was saying by coming out to celebrate their win unless it's actually done in a threatening way.

Still, fans are stupid and this will lead to cheap shots on players of the losing team a la Malice at the Palace.

Kermits Blue Key

March 1st, 2013 at 7:42 AM ^

Bad analogy - if I remember correctly the Pacers were whipping the Pistons that night at the Palace and the game hadn't even ended yet. That was more a fan taking a cheap shot at an a-hole who had just cheap shot Ben Wallace and then decided to take a nap on the scorer's table. Though still ill-advised, it's very different from taking cheap shots at a losing player who is simply trying to walk off the court in disappointment. 

Kermits Blue Key

March 1st, 2013 at 8:58 AM ^

It may not have been a cheap shot in the purest sense of the word, but it definitely wasn't a typical foul either, especially given the situation of the game. The Pacers were leading by 15 with 45 seconds left and Artest hammered Wallace in the head/neck area when he went up for a layup. I'll give you that Wallace was pissed he was losing, but Artest was definitely antagonizing.

The Baughz

March 1st, 2013 at 7:04 AM ^

I recall many people, including Duke fans, hating on Roy Williams for sending his players into the locker room early last year against FSU when they got blown out there. Doesnt seem like a bad idea now.



I also agree with Plumlee. You have to protect yourself. Im not saying to deliberately go hit someone, but there are thousands of fans rushing the court in every direction, so you have to be ready for anything.



Look at the nut case fan from Iowa St who tried to go after Bill Self after Kansas beat them in OT. People are crazy and you have to be on your guard at all times.

Dustinlo

March 1st, 2013 at 6:58 AM ^

There needs to be some form of "organized chaos" in these situations. Isn't this the reason Duke took their players to the locker room early a year or two ago?



“You don’t know what’s gonna happen,” Plumlee said. “Guys shouldn’t be defenseless. Half these people are drunk, you don’t know what’s gonna happen.”



Protect yourself and the team.

Wolverine Devotee

March 1st, 2013 at 7:21 AM ^

Even though I agree with him, doesn't it seen like he always finds something to complain about after a loss?

cozy200

March 1st, 2013 at 7:35 AM ^

Does not discount the fact he is very smart. Court storming is great... But schools should pay a hefty fine for not allowing the opposing team to exit safely.

Hail-Storm

March 1st, 2013 at 11:38 AM ^

Court stormings are pretty easy to predict within the last few minutes. Security should be able to keep fans away and surround the away team quickly to allow them to get off the court safely. I am amazed at how well student athletes have conducted themselves in this chaos. There are thousands of drunk students yelling at you after a tough loss and they are man enough to walk away.

MichiganManOf1961

March 1st, 2013 at 8:21 AM ^

Typical Duke mentality; they're special and different rules apply to the Blue Devils than everyone else.  I remember reading about some grad students somewhere who were complaining that they were being heckled for wearing Duke gear in the home team's student section.  They wrote something to the effect of "I have never been so insulted in my life, this would never occur at a place like Duke."  Two weeks later, the Duke student section is chanting "How's you Grandma" at an opposing player who's grandmother had just died. 

-Herm

Yo_Blue

March 1st, 2013 at 8:27 AM ^

Duke fans go way past the boundaries in an attempt to be clever.  Many hits, but a few misses along the way.

If you associate with a top program you will be hated by EVERYONE.  Duke fans should be used to it by now (unfortunately).

Tater

March 1st, 2013 at 8:37 AM ^

Looks like Coach K is tired of his team being the foil for so many celebrations this year.  He should be thankful that his team is that high on the food chain.  It's like what Michigan is seeing this year; every team plays their "NCAA Tournament Championship Game against them," and their fans storm the court when they win.

It beats the crap out of being irrelevant. 

Meeeeshigan

March 1st, 2013 at 8:54 AM ^

Honestly, I'm surprised they haven't brought this up before. During the broadcast of the game last night, the announcers highlighted the fact that following the past 33 road losses Duke has sustained, the crowd rushed the court 27 times (I apologize if my exact numbers are off, but this is close). In other words, when you're an elite level basketball program, you see this a lot over the years. No wonder they're sick of it. 

Blue In NC

March 1st, 2013 at 9:09 AM ^

Of course, if Duke were not almost universally hated by opposing fans, it would probably happen a bit less.

Actually I am surprised this was a big deal.  I watched the end of the game and the security guards seemed to "wall off" the fans from the players just fine.  There must have been some insecure areas that didn't show on TV but it looked like they were doing fine to me.

ijohnb

March 1st, 2013 at 9:03 AM ^

stoming is lame and has gotten entirely out of control.  Penn State was entitled to rush the floor when the beat us, that was a monumental upset.  Virginia is a tournament team, so is Minnesota.  Those are not court-storming wins.  It is an annoying fad and I would like to see it reserved for the Penn State type moments when teams are truly like "Holy shit, did we just win that game?"  Not for a team with a 18-9 record destined for the tournament beats any random top 10 team.

In reply to by ijohnb

jfoust81

March 1st, 2013 at 11:02 AM ^

I disagree with you. Penn St. is in the B1G. Virginia is in the ACC. They should win games, even over highly rated teams. This was not North Texas taking down Indiana. Unless its a championship clinching game why storm? It is unnecessary. Celebrate a la most football games.... Players head to the students in the stands!