Former Duke basketball player Jay Bilas has weighed in on the controversial topic of court-storming in college basketball. Following an incident where Duke player Kyle Flipowski was injured during Wake Forest’s court-storming celebration, the debate surrounding the practice has resurfaced. Bilas believes that court-storming should be banned and argues that the NCAA and its member institutions have the power to stop it if they choose to do so.
During his appearances on ESPN’s “GetUp” and “First Take,” Bilas expressed his views on court-storming. He stated that fans should not be allowed on the court, emphasizing that while fans may not want to hear it, it is the truth. Bilas also criticized the NCAA and member institutions for their role in perpetuating court-storming. He claimed that they enjoy the visual spectacle and use it for promotional purposes, including recruiting.
Bilas further highlighted the media’s complicity in encouraging court-storming. He pointed out that it is often featured at the end of highlight reels, tacitly endorsing the behavior. The former Blue Devil player believes that the media needs to take responsibility for its role in promoting court-storming.
Duke basketball coach Jon Scheyer also expressed his concerns about court-storming, stating that the ACC needs to take action. Unlike other Power Five conferences, the ACC does not currently have measures in place to penalize court-storming incidents. Bilas argued that even when fines are imposed in other conferences, schools are willing to pay them and continue allowing court-storming to occur. He cited an example of University of South Carolina’s President Emeritus running onto the court after a victory over Kentucky and later posting about it on social media.
Later in the day, Bilas appeared on ESPN’s “First Take” to discuss the matter further with Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe. He reiterated his proposed solution to the issue, which he had mentioned earlier on “GetUp.” Bilas suggested that once fans are on the court, they should be detained and given citations or even arrested. He believes that this action would deter court-storming in the future.
This is not the first time Bilas has voiced his opinion on court-storming. Last month, during ESPN’s “College Gameday,” he expressed his belief that fans do not belong on the court. Bilas emphasized that the passion of the game is great but stated that when someone gets hurt, it becomes necessary to address the issue seriously.
As Duke prepares for their upcoming game against Louisville, the debate surrounding court-storming continues. Bilas’s perspective adds to the ongoing discussion about whether this practice should be allowed or banned in college basketball.
