Punishment Announced For UNC's 'Dangerous' Court Storm

by The Spun
Punishment Announced For UNC's 'Dangerous' Court Storm

UNC court storm.

ESPN.

UNC topped Duke in a classic rivalry game on Saturday night, but the Tar Heels' fan base is getting called out for its behavior in a "dangerous" court storm.

The 14th-ranked Tar Heels stunned the fourth-ranked Blue Devils, 71-68, on Saturday night. Immediately following the game, UNC's fans stormed the court. But Duke head coach Jon Scheyer called out UNC's fans for their dangerous behavior.

Duke's head coach said that his staff was punched in the face.

"For me it's hard to talk about the game when I was most concerned just for the safety of our players after the game," Scheyer said in his opening statement. "I don't want to make it about that, because Carolina, they played a great game to win. And that's a heartbreaking loss for our team.

"I got staff members that got punched in the face. My family, pushing people away, trying to not get trampled. That's not what this game is about."

Jon Scheyer on the court. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

Alex Slitz/Getty Images

UNC's fans were seen throwing water bottles and more.

UNC will face stiff punishment

UNC AD Bubba Cunningham has already apologized.

"When they rushed the court, a number of people got knocked over," Cunningham said. "But then we had to clear the court again. So when we normally have something like just rushing the court and the game is over, we do have a line by the benches to get people off safely.

"Obviously, if somebody got injured, that's just really, really disappointing. We'll do the best we can to make sure that doesn't happen, but again, my apologies to Duke for that."

But punishment is coming.

The ACC will fine UNC $50,000 for a first time court storming offense. The Tar Heels could be hit with $100,000 fine for a second offense and then $200,000 for a third offense.

The Tar Heels won big on Saturday night, but they'll have to pay for their behavior.

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by The Spun