Count Florida coach Billy Donovan among those who don’t approve of students rushing the court following big upset wins.
“I never like it,” Donovan said. “I just think that you’re bringing, listen, players are not allowed to go up in the stands. That’s a rule. They’ll be ejected or a technical foul. The minute you start letting fans come on the floor, it’s a little bit hypocritical in terms of now you’re asking players in the heat of the moment to control themselves if someone gets hit or pushed.
“I’ve always been a big believer that the school in charge has got to at least get the opposing team off the court and then go storm the court.”
It’s possible, but not likely, that the No. 1 Gators could be involved in another court-storming incident if they lose at South Carolina on Tuesday night. South Carolina students stormed the court following its 72-67 upset win over Kentucky on Tuesday night. Per Southeastern Conference rules, South Carolina was fined $25,000 for failing to keep its students off the court.
South Carolina spokesman Steve Fink did not disclose whether the school planned any extra security measures for Tuesday night’s game. If students storm the court again Tuesday night, South Carolina would be subject to a 50,000 fine.
“We are aware of the emphasis on this issue from the SEC and we will continue to make efforts to enforce the conference policy,” Fink said.
Of course, if South Carolina is subjected to another fine, it could look to school president Harris Pastides to pay it. Pastides
joined in the celebration with South Carolina students following the Kentucky upset win.
“Once I realized I was paying (the fine) anyway, I ran down …,” Pastides tweeted. “I enjoyed every dollar.”
