[King Kong]

After Clemson beat Kentucky last night Clemson stormed the court.  Remind you,  Clemson plays in a power basketball conference. Plus they made the elite 8 last year. 

I don't like court or field storming,  adds to much of a risk for injury or something going wrong.  It didn't look like Clemson storming the court was all that bad from what I could see.  The UK players and staff had open area to get outta there.  If they're going to allow court storming,  that might be the text book way to go about it. 

Here's my question: Is there anyone UK could beat that would warrant a court storming from the crowd at Rupp?

With our programs rich and historic tradition,  who could we possibly beat,  that would be considered such a huge monumental upset? 
Is there anyone? I can't think of anyone. 

If we played the Boston Celtics or NBA All Star Team and we got the win,  I still couldn't see us storming the court! Yes it'd be exciting,  but still don't think we'd storm the court over it.

[Granny Bear]

Arkansas!

[King Kong]

Arkansas!

Good one   

[Cactus Jack]

Should never happen, but give anything enough time and it probably will.

Some factors that Rupp has going for it:

1. Tradition. Kentucky could be terrible for years and it would still be embarrassing to see it happen. Maybe it does if there's nearly a decade of late Billy Gillispie level bad teams and we win win a huge game, but we have such a good record against everyone in the SEC that it still probably doesn't make sense. With non-conference games like the ones we'd play against a North Carolina, Duke, or Kansas becoming less common, this lowers the chance of it happening even more.

2. Student section is small and in an area that's easy to control-- police could line up in front of the Erupption Zone and have a good chance at keeping students off the floor. Other student tickets are either in the old sections 32-34 (sideline near the baseline and corners) and there's a lot of obstacles/distance from the court. The rest of the student tickets are in the upper arena. Again, not very conducive to storming the court.


I've been saying this for some time, but it's going to take one really bad incident before the court storming and field rushing is basically stopped for good. Too many bad things can happen (e.g., someone getting trampled, a pissed off player with tons of physical strength hitting someone who is taunting them and really hurting them, or a fight starting and a mob ganging up on an opposing player and really hurting them, etc.) and when it does, it will be bad.

In my opinion, the best solution for this is what happened when I attended a college game in an indoor arena that'd previously hosted big events (including NFL games and Final Fours).

Basically, the event organizers could see the writing on the wall and that the field was going to be stormed. They had tons of security around the field and made an announcement that there'd be a five minute period after the final buzzer to allow the opposing team to clear the field, and once that had elapsed, fans would be able to enter the area of play. Anyone who attempted to storm the field before the stadium gave the "ready" would be arrested and prosecuted.

Once the venue gave the "ready", fans would have 45 minutes to be on the field, celebrate with the team, and take photos. The opposing team had plenty of time to get off the field, fans knew that they were eventually getting on the field and behaved like normal people can do (I don't think I saw anyone try to get on the field prematurely), people working at the venue simply opened the gates at the front row and let people walk out onto the field in an orderly manner, and most of the winning team stayed on the field to took pictures and sign autographs.

The size and design of the venue, plus the amount of security they had made this all work well. I'm not sure that it'd go as smoothly as somewhere like Commonwealth, but I do think a "controlled storming" is something that could work and that schools should look into this (or taking measures to ensure that no one can storm the field even if they tried).

[-STAT-]

No way.

Certain programs you just don't storm the court. Duke, UNC, Kentucky, Kansas just to name a few.

I didn't mention other traditional programs like Indiana, and UCLA bc in recent years their fans have both stormed the court, both wins over Kentucky, IU in 2012, UCLA in 2017-18 maybe? Can't remember the exact year.

Didn't have a problem with Clemson fans storming the court, I definitely expected it. But like already said they did make an elite 8 last season I get that, but how often are you going to get Kentucky playing at your arena? They earned that victory and earned the court storming too. Obviously, you do worry about players getting caught up in the crowd, or risk getting hurt or even into a confrontation with crazy fans.

[King Kong]

No way.

Certain programs you just don't storm the court. Duke, UNC, Kentucky, Kansas just to name a few.

I didn't mention other traditional programs like Indiana, and UCLA bc in recent years their fans have both stormed the court, both wins over Kentucky, IU in 2012, UCLA in 2017-18 maybe? Can't remember the exact year.

Didn't have a problem with Clemson fans storming the court, I definitely expected it. But like already said they did make an elite 8 last season I get that, but how often are you going to get Kentucky playing at your arena? They earned that victory and earned the court storming too. Obviously, you do worry about players getting caught up in the crowd, or risk getting hurt or even into a confrontation with crazy fans.

It was said by the TV crew last night during the Duke vs Auburn game, that the ACC hadn't hosted many SEC teams over the years.  Even speaking of the Duke HC,  it was said that he hadn't been in many SEC arenas/courts,  including Rupp.  That's something I hadn't really thought about.  Usually when the two conferences meet,  it's on a neutral floor,  or during the NCAA tournament. 

I think it was said that UK was the highest ranked team Clemson had beaten on their home court.  I was kinda shocked to hear this.  With some of the highly ranked teams Duke and UNC,  even Virginia have had over the years,  I figured Clemson had knocked one of them off at home,  while they were ranked higher than 4.  You can maybe even throw Maryland and Wake Forest into the mix,  back in the day.  Because Clemson themselves has had some good teams.

[UKisN1]

Never

[King Kong]

Should never happen, but give anything enough time and it probably will.

Some factors that Rupp has going for it:

1. Tradition. Kentucky could be terrible for years and it would still be embarrassing to see it happen. Maybe it does if there's nearly a decade of late Billy Gillispie level bad teams and we win win a huge game, but we have such a good record against everyone in the SEC that it still probably doesn't make sense. With non-conference games like the ones we'd play against a North Carolina, Duke, or Kansas becoming less common, this lowers the chance of it happening even more.

2. Student section is small and in an area that's easy to control-- police could line up in front of the Erupption Zone and have a good chance at keeping students off the floor. Other student tickets are either in the old sections 32-34 (sideline near the baseline and corners) and there's a lot of obstacles/distance from the court. The rest of the student tickets are in the upper arena. Again, not very conducive to storming the court.


I've been saying this for some time, but it's going to take one really bad incident before the court storming and field rushing is basically stopped for good. Too many bad things can happen (e.g., someone getting trampled, a pissed off player with tons of physical strength hitting someone who is taunting them and really hurting them, or a fight starting and a mob ganging up on an opposing player and really hurting them, etc.) and when it does, it will be bad.

In my opinion, the best solution for this is what happened when I attended a college game in an indoor arena that'd previously hosted big events (including NFL games and Final Fours).

Basically, the event organizers could see the writing on the wall and that the field was going to be stormed. They had tons of security around the field and made an announcement that there'd be a five minute period after the final buzzer to allow the opposing team to clear the field, and once that had elapsed, fans would be able to enter the area of play. Anyone who attempted to storm the field  before the stadium gave the "ready" would be arrested and prosecuted.

Once the venue gave the "ready", fans would have 45 minutes to be on the field, celebrate with the team, and take photos. The opposing team had  plenty of time to get off the field, fans knew that they were eventually getting on the field and behaved like normal people can do (I don't think I saw anyone try to get on the field prematurely), people working at the venue simply opened the gates at the front row and let people walk out onto the field in an orderly manner, and most of the winning team stayed on the field to took pictures and sign autographs.

The size and design of the venue, plus the amount of security they had made this all work well. I'm not sure that it'd go as smoothly as somewhere like Commonwealth, but I do think a  "controlled storming" is something that could work and that schools should look into this (or taking measures to ensure that no one can storm the field even if they tried).

Agreed,  controlled storming would be the way to go.  Give the opposing team plenty of time to get off the floor. 

Speaking of student sections,  I'd like to see more of the lower arena at Rupp go to the student section.  Make the visiting teams have a experience like they were playing Duke or Clemson at home.  Those are definitely intimidating places to play.  Which Rupp is to.  I just think with more of the students right on the court,  lower level,  Rupp may become more intimidating.  Seems to me like much of the louder and crazier crowd at Rupp,  is up in the nose bleed sections!

I thought I was a wild UK fan,  until I met and witnessed many of the fan's at the top of the arena.  Then I began questioning myself? Am I even a fan or passionate about UK basketball,  compared to some of these people! 

With that being said,  maybe it's safer for everyone,  if many of us stay at the top,  in the nose bleed section,  instead of a few steps from being on the court 

[plantmanky]

Too many people on the court/field as it is now during the games, no reason for more. Will only get worse because all this youth leagues and High Schools allow it now too, makes me cringe went I see that crap.

Anyone not involved with the game staff should not be on the court/field at any point, period. Arrest them.

Deter them, national guard, rubber bullets', green light, cross the line, fire.


This crap will stop quick.

[King Kong]

Too many people on the court/field as it is now during the games, no reason for more.  Will only get worse because all this youth leagues and High Schools allow it now too, makes me cringe went I see that crap.

Anyone not involved with the game staff should not be on the court/field at any point, period.  Arrest them.

Deter them, national guard, rubber bullets', green light, cross the line, fire.


This crap will stop quick.

Those things would definitely stop the court/field storming fast. 

We just recently seen pepper spray used after the OSU vs Michigan football game,  on some of the players and staff's.  

I've seen court/field stormings in the past where opposing players and staff were caught right in the middle.  Looked like there was no where for them to go anytime soon. I couldn't help but feel bad for them.

[Old School Hound]

Too many people on the court/field as it is now during the games, no reason for more.  Will only get worse because all this youth leagues and High Schools allow it now too, makes me cringe went I see that crap.

Anyone not involved with the game staff should not be on the court/field at any point, period.  Arrest them.

Deter them, national guard, rubber bullets', green light, cross the line, fire.


This crap will stop quick.

Can't believe I find myself agreeing with you lately. I was thinking the exact same thing.  100% . As you said in the other thread, stop the dumb handshakes after the game, as well.

[Bluecat]

Only if we ever win a National Championship in Rupp and since that will not ever happen then I say no.