Rece Davis suggests security plan for court storming in college basketball
On Saturday, Wake Forest’s fans stormed the court after the Demon Deacons downed No. 8 Duke. Standout Duke forward Kyle Filipowski had to be helped off the hardwood after falling in the midst of the chaos.
Since then, a storm of opinions have flooded college basketball. From legal repercussions to potential forfeits, there has been no shortage of ideas on how to minimize the harm of court storming. On Wednesday, ESPN’s Rece Davis weighed in on the hot-button issue.
“How about if the administration, the arena security, say, ‘Hey, you know what? This is a game where our fans might might do this. So, how are we going to get the visiting team off the court?’ Davis said. “‘How are we going to protect their area? What message are we going to send them and take?’
“‘Look, we’re not predicting we’re going to beat you. We’re not trying to give you bulletin-board material. But, in the event that there is a court storming, for good or bad, whether because they’re mad that you won or happy that we won, here’s what we would like for you to do. And here’s how we’re going to protect you and get you to the locker room.'”
Potential pitfalls with Rece Davis’ plan
Davis hopes for teams to get ahead of the issue. However, as he mentioned, this strategy can carry other issues. On Tuesday, Mississippi State led Kentucky with just under five minutes left in the game. During a break in the action, the program put a reminder on the Jumbotron, reminding fans to stay off the court after the game.
No matter MSU’s intentions, Kentucky fans took the message as an insult. After the game, Kentucky head coach John Calipari claimed he would have used the message as a motivating factor if he had seen it during the game.
“I wish I had seen it,” Calipari said. “In 1992, we’re playing in the NIT — I’m at UMass — and we’re playing Siena. We’re down three. And there’s 3.6 seconds to go. They get on the mic and say ‘The busses are going to leave for the Garden at this day at this time.’ My team ‘What?’
“We make a three and beat them in overtime. And one of my guys ‘What time are those busses leaving?’ So, I’ve been in those situations. I did not see it, though.”
Of course, in Davis’ ideal situation, messages like these are commonplace, along with pre-game plans in the case fans do breach security. Despite any discourse, only time will tell how college basketball will address the pressing issue.