Duke coach Jon Scheyer said members of his staff were injured amid a court storm at North Carolina on Saturday night, describing a chaotic scene after the Tar Heels won on a late shot in the teams’ storied rivalry.
“I had staff members that got punched in the face,” Scheyer said, addressing what occurred as fans rushed the court to celebrate the finish.
The game ended with North Carolina’s late winning basket, prompting a large crowd to pour onto the floor moments after the final play. Scheyer’s comments focused on the aftermath and the safety of those on the court as the celebration unfolded.
Duke and North Carolina’s meetings are among college basketball’s most high-profile rivalry games, and Saturday’s contest added another late-game moment to the series’ long history. In this instance, the postgame celebration became a central part of the story after Scheyer said Duke personnel were struck during the rush.