CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Duke coach Jon Schell said his staff “got punched in the face” as North Carolina fans stormed the court Saturday night to celebrate a late game-winner in the famous game, prompting a public apology from UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham.
The 14th-ranked Tar Heels beat the fourth-ranked Blue Devils 71-68 on Seth Trimble’s 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left, a shot that originally appeared to be coming as time expired, sending jubilant fans onto the court to celebrate. Officials reviewed the game and determined there was still time remaining, so fans had to get permission so Duke could play one final play before rushing onto the court again when the clock officially hit zero.
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“It’s hard for me to talk about this game when I’m most worried about the safety of the players after the game,” Scheer said in his opening remarks. “I don’t want to talk about it because Carolina, they played a great game and got the win. It’s a heartbreaking loss for our team.
“My staff got punched in the face. My family members pushed people away trying not to get trampled. That’s not what this game is about.”
Cunningham later said he apologized to Shaye before attending a postgame press conference and mentioned someone was injured. He did not disclose details about who was injured or how, and Duke program spokesman Kyle Serba did not immediately respond to a text message seeking comment.
“As they rushed toward the courthouse, a lot of people were knocked down,” Cunningham said. “But then we have to clear the field again. So when we normally rush onto the field and the game ends, we do have a line around the bench to make sure people get out safely.”
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“Obviously, if someone gets hurt, that’s really, really disappointing. We’re going to do our best to make sure that doesn’t happen, but again I apologize to Duke for that.”
Cunningham said the school will review the video replay to determine what exactly happened.
The safety of players and team staff during stadium storms has been a perennial topic of concern in college sports. Nearly two years ago, Blue Devils player Kyle Filipowski was frightened when a Demon Deacons fan collided with him after Duke lost to Wake Forest, and Jared McCain’s exit to the tunnel was briefly blocked by a Wake Forest fan. Filipovsky’s right leg was then wrapped in plastic and an ice pack was attached to the knee.
After that incident in 2024, Scheyer asked: “When are we going to ban court storming?”
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Asked Saturday night if he still believed court storming should be banned, Scheer said: “I think court storming is fine, I don’t have any problem with court storming.
“People just shouldn’t be getting punched in the face. Our players shouldn’t be put face to face with people who can do anything at that moment. It just takes a reaction. Even today, I have to push people away just to protect our players.
“They win, they should celebrate,” Schell added. “They want a court storm, a court storm. But as long as we get our people out safely, that’s it. That’s what I’m thinking.”
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