Duke coach Jon Scheyer describes ‘scary’ court storming following rivalry game
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Scheyer called the court-storming a ‘scary’ ending and said staff were punched
- Scheyer said staff were punched and his family pushed people away to protect players
- UNC faces ACC fines after spectators rushed the court following the game
Duke coach Jon Scheyer described the court stormings during and following UNC’s 71-68 win over Duke on Saturday night a “scary ending,” and said members of his staff were punched in the face. Scheyer also said his family had to push people away so they wouldn’t get trampled.
“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 to open his postgame press conference at the Dean E. Smith Center. “I don’t want to make it about that because Carolina played a great game.”
Scheyer later added he’s not against fans storming the court to celebrate, with one caveat.
“I just shouldn’t have people getting punched in the face,” Scheyer said.
A Duke spokesperson confirmed that one staff member sustained an injury, but did not provide any further information. UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham confirmed somebody was injured in the court storming.
Scheyer could be seen speaking to Cunningham in the hallway outside of the media room following the game. Cunningham also spoke with Duke athletic director Nina King. As soon as Hubert Davis’ postgame press conference concluded, Cunningham stepped in front of the gathered reporters to offer an apology.
“I was here for Coach Scheyer and I apologized to coach before he came in here,” Cunningham said. “Rivalry games are tremendous. Court stormings, he mentioned, (are) absolutely fabulous. And it’s really tough. And I feel for our event staff when they rushed the court. I mean, a number of people got knocked over. But then we had to clear the court again.
“And 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. So again, I apologize to coach, his family.”
Cunningham was asked if objects were thrown at Cam Boozer. The AD responded that, when Trimble’s shot went in, he was nearby Boozer.
“He (Boozer) said ‘I think time is left,’” Cunningham told reporters. “And I said, ‘There may be, but would you mind standing right by the basket?’ He moved over and I actually thanked him after the game. Total class act and stood there motionless. People were saying stuff and taking pictures and he was terrific. So ton of credit for the way their players handled it.”
Cunningham said the university will review video to understand what happened and described the situation as “unfortunate.”
Last year, the ACC implemented fines for schools when spectators enter the playing field. That means UNC is facing financial penalties for Saturday’s events, which have yet to be announced.
Saturday marked the first court storming in the Smith Center since 2014.
Two years ago at Wake Forest, Duke forward Kyle Filipowski was hit in the knee by a spectator during a court storm and had to be helped to the locker room. Scheyer spoke out after the Filipowski incident, calling for a ban on court storming.
This story was originally published February 7, 2026 at 10:06 PM with the headline "Duke coach Jon Scheyer describes ‘scary’ court storming following rivalry game."