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Jay Bilas takes hard stance against court-storming in college hoops
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Jay Bilas is heavily against court-storming as a normal part of college basketball.
During Saturday morning’s broadcast of ESPN’s “College GameDay,” Bilas made it clear fans do not belong on the court — ever. The passion of the fans is great but Bilas compared court-storming to an incident involving Marcus Smart entering the stands while playing in college.
“The passion of it is great. I love the passion. Fans do not belong on the court, ever. And players don’t belong in the stands,” said Bilas. “Remember years ago, Marcus Smart went in the stands and everybody had a conniption fit over it. Players don’t belong in the stands, fans don’t belong on the court.”
The problem is that no one currently cares about potential punishment, including programs in the SEC that receive a fine for entering the competition area. Bilas noted South Carolina promoted the president taking part in a recent court-storming for the Gamecocks.
“In the SEC, the conference has deemed that a violation that will cost you $100,000. South Carolina stormed the court and the president emeritus ran out and promoted him running out on his own social media channel,” Bilas explained. “They don’t care! They’ll pay it just for the visual.”
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Is ESPN part of the problem? Bilas admitted his network — and every other media company — includes the court-storming images at the end of highlight reels. Ultimately, people will only get serious about the idea until someone is seriously injured per Bilas.
“We love it, we put it on TV at the end of every highlight, we promote it, all media companies do. When someone gets hurt, we’re going to get serious about it,” said Bilas. “But until then… (pro sports) protect the players, but we don’t do it in college.”
The court-storming topic was thrust back into the spotlight recently after an incident involving Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark colliding with an Ohio State fan. Clark initially appeared injured but later said she was fine and just had the wind knocked out of her.
That is a relief for everyone involved, but it’s another reminder that fans also hold a responsibility to be respectful and careful at the end of games.
“Fans do not belong on the court ever.”
Agree or disagree with @JayBilas? ? pic.twitter.com/7st6UgrL85
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) January 27, 2024
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
