Jon Scheyer, the head coach of the Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball team, recently provided an update on a staff member who was involved in a chaotic incident following Duke’s narrow 71-68 loss to rival North Carolina Tar Heels on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill.
The game itself was a classic installment of one of college basketball’s most intense rivalries. With time winding down, UNC’s Seth Trimble hit a dramatic game-winning three-pointer with just 0.4 seconds remaining, securing the victory for the Tar Heels. The buzzer-beater triggered an immediate celebration, leading to fans storming the court. Due to the last-second nature of the play, security initially cleared the court to allow for a potential review or final attempt, but fans rushed back on once the game was officially over, creating a frenzied and crowded scene.
In his immediate postgame comments on Saturday night, Scheyer expressed significant frustration and concern, stating that he had “staff members that got punched in the face” during the court storming. He described the situation as unsafe, noting that his family had to push people away to avoid being trampled, and emphasized that the historic rivalry “is not about that.” His remarks highlighted broader issues with player and staff safety during such uncontrolled celebrations, a recurring debate in college sports where court stormings are common after major upsets or signature wins.
By Monday, February 9, 2026, during the ACC’s weekly coaches teleconference, Scheyer offered a more detailed and updated account. He clarified that the incident primarily affected one male staff member (Duke has not publicly identified the individual or his specific role, citing privacy). Scheyer recounted walking into the locker room after the game and seeing the staffer with a bloody lip, looking disheveled, and appearing confused about what had occurred.
According to Scheyer:
- The staffer was hit in the face (which he initially described as being “punched”).
- He was then trampled or caught under the rush of fans on the floor.
- The overall scene made it look “like he had been in a complete brawl.”
- The staffer’s main issue stemmed from being overwhelmed in the chaos rather than a targeted assault.
Scheyer stressed that the staff member is now “doing better” and is “fine,” with no indication of serious or long-term injury. He reiterated that the situation was “not a good” one and “very unsafe” for his staff, families, players, and everyone involved, but expressed readiness to move on without further elaboration.
This update came amid reports that the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) fined North Carolina $50,000 for a violation related to event security protocols during the postgame celebration. The fine underscores league concerns over managing court stormings to prevent injuries or unsafe conditions, though no criminal charges or further investigations into an intentional assault have been widely reported. Some observers noted the absence of clear video evidence showing a deliberate punch, leading to speculation that the injury could have resulted from an accidental elbow, flailing arms, or the general melee of the crowd surge.
The incident reignited discussions about the risks of court stormings in college basketball. Proponents argue they are a cherished tradition that rewards underdogs and energizes fan bases, while critics—including coaches like Scheyer—point to potential dangers, especially when visiting teams are trying to exit the floor. Scheyer’s earlier comments (from a previous incident at Wake Forest in 2024) have shown his consistent stance against unchecked storms, calling for better protections or even bans in certain cases.
Overall, the event was a heated but contained moment in the storied Duke-UNC rivalry, which dates back over a century and often produces dramatic finishes. While the game highlighted individual brilliance (like Trimble’s heroics), the aftermath shifted focus to safety protocols. Scheyer’s update reassures that the affected staffer has recovered quickly, allowing the program to shift attention back to the season ahead as Duke continues its push in the ACC standings.
