Duke men’s basketball head coach Jon Scheyer provided an update on Monday, February 9, 2026, regarding a staff member who was injured during the chaotic court storming by North Carolina fans following the Tar Heels’ dramatic 71-68 victory over the fourth-ranked Blue Devils on Saturday, February 7, 2026 (note: some reports list the game date as February 6 or 7, but the incident occurred after the Saturday night game at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill).
The staff member, whose identity and specific role have not been publicly disclosed by Duke, suffered minor injuries in the postgame frenzy. Scheyer described the situation during his comments on the ACC’s weekly coaches teleconference and in media interactions.
Key Details from Scheyer’s Update
Scheyer stated that the staff member is “doing better” and is “fine, ready to move on.” He clarified that the individual had a bloody lip, appeared disheveled, and seemed confused about what had happened immediately after the incident.
In his words (paraphrased and quoted across multiple reports including ESPN, Yahoo Sports, The Athletic, and others):
- “After the game, what happened was I came back in the locker room and I see he’s got a bloody lip and he’s disheveled and he didn’t know what happened. He got trampled on the floor.”
- “That was my main concern after the game and that’s why I said what I said.”
- “It was not a good situation. But he’s doing better, he’s fine, ready to move on.”
- “One of our guys, he got hit in the face, got trampled, looked like he had been in a complete brawl after the game. He’s doing better now, but that should never happen.”
Scheyer emphasized that this was the only injury reported among Duke personnel. He initially mentioned in his immediate postgame press conference on Saturday that staff members “got punched in the face” and that his own family had to push people away to avoid being trampled. On Monday, he walked back the plural reference, confirming it involved just one staff member being struck and trampled amid the rush of fans.
The staff member was treated following the incident and is recovering without any reported long-term issues. Duke has not released further medical details or the person’s name, respecting privacy.
Context of the Incident
The injury stemmed from UNC’s celebration after Seth Trimble hit a game-winning three-pointer with 0.4 seconds left, capping a comeback from a 13-point deficit. Fans stormed the court immediately after the shot (forcing a brief stoppage and officials to clear the floor to resume play with the remaining time), and then again after the final buzzer confirmed the win.
This marked a heated edition of the historic Duke-UNC rivalry (often called the “Battle of the Blues”). Duke entered as a heavy favorite but fell short in a thrilling finish. The court storming drew criticism for safety concerns, especially given prior incidents in the ACC (e.g., a 2024 court storm at Wake Forest where Duke’s Kyle Filipowski was previously injured in a similar event).
ACC Response and Fine
The Atlantic Coast Conference fined North Carolina $50,000 for violating league event management policies related to court storming. The penalty aligns with ACC guidelines aimed at protecting participants, which were strengthened in recent years following safety issues in postgame celebrations.
UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham issued a public apology shortly after the game, acknowledging the chaos and expressing regret over any risk to visiting personnel. Scheyer and UNC coach Hubert Davis have spoken since the incident, though specifics of those conversations weren’t detailed publicly.
Scheyer reiterated that such situations “should never happen,” highlighting risks to players, staff, families, and others on the court during uncontrolled celebrations. He did not call for bans on court storming but stressed better protocols for safe exits and crowd control.
Broader Implications
Court stormings remain a debated tradition in college basketball—celebratory for home fans but potentially dangerous, especially in high-stakes rivalries like Duke-UNC. This incident renewed calls for stricter security measures, such as faster escorts for visiting teams or penalties tied to injuries.
No further injuries were reported among players, coaches, or other staff from either side. Duke’s focus has shifted to upcoming games, including their next ACC matchup (they play Pitt later, as noted in prior context).
Scheyer’s update reflects relief that the staff member’s condition improved quickly from what initially appeared more serious (bloody lip, disorientation from being trampled). The coach’s comments balance concern for safety with a desire to move forward, avoiding escalation in the rivalry narrative.
This episode underscores the intense emotions in one of college sports’ greatest rivalries, where passion can sometimes spill over into unsafe territory. Fans and analysts continue to discuss balancing celebration with participant protection.
