Duke staffers 'got punched in the face' as UNC fans stormed court after upset win, coach says
Duke staff members reported physical altercations with UNC fans who stormed the court after their team's last-minute victory over Duke.
The recent rivalry basketball game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Duke Blue Devils ended with an intense celebration from Tar Heels fans following their team's narrow victory. North Carolina defeated Duke 71-68, with a critical three-pointer from guard Seth Trimble sealing the win with just 0.4 seconds on the clock. As fans rushed the court to celebrate, chaos ensued when officials decided to add time back to the game, calling fans back to their seats. Duke's head coach Jon Scheyer expressed concern for the safety of his players and staff amidst the celebrations that turned violent. Reports indicate that several staff members were physically attacked, with Scheyer stating, 'I got staff members that got punched in the face.' He highlighted that the focus should remain on the game's performance, though the safety incidents overshadowed the disappointment of losing a close match. The incident raised questions about security measures at college basketball games, particularly in high-stakes rivalry situations. Scheyer's comments reflect a concern for player and staff wellbeing in the face of adverse conditions following what should have been a celebratory event for the winning team. This incident may prompt discussions on how to ensure fan safety in the future, even as the excitement of close matches can lead to unexpected and potentially dangerous outcomes.