The Big Lead

Sean Miller Worried an Arizona Player Will Eventually Punch a Fan During a Court Storming

By Stephen Douglas

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Colorado upset 9th-ranked Arizona in Boulder on Wednesday night. Colorado fans stormed the court. Wildcats coach Sean Miller is sick of fans storming the court whenever his team loses. Via ESPN:

"“I have no problem being a great sport,” Miller said after he saw opponents’ fans storm the court for the 10th time in his team’s last 11 road losses. “But eventually what’s going to happen in the Pac-12 is this: An Arizona player is going to punch a fan, and they are going to punch the fan out of self-defense. And only when it happens will everyone take a deep breath and say, ‘We have to do something to protect both teams.'”"

While it sounds like sour grapes because the Wildcats seem to be getting upset regularly, Miller has a point. His comments came on the same night that Oregon State fans stormed the court after a buzzer-beater that gave the Beavers a win over unranked Washington. Just last month John Calipari sent players to the locker room in the closing minutes of a loss to Aubrun.

It was just two years ago that a fight between players and fans broke out during a court storming at the end of a New Mexico – Utah Valley State game. Apparently, Miller is worried about something similar happening with his 7-footer from New Hampshire.

"“If 7-foot-2, 250-pound Kaleb Tarczewski gets bumped literally within three seconds of the game ending and he retaliates, what would be the response of our conference?” Miller said. “I’m going to be fine. Someone can say whatever they want to me, spit, do whatever you want. But I’m worried about the players that are under my direction. “If we lose, at least let us get off the court so that our guys aren’t potentially in a situation where a lawsuit could come. Because when that comes, then and only then will people pay attention.”"

Now we await the chorus of people claiming the fans have earned the right to storm the court because it’s part of the fan experience and it makes wins more special and memorable.