(Thumbnail image: Diamondback Online)
"Last night Maryland pulled off a huge win over Duke. Big time win for them. And after the game the fans there rushed the court, they're all pumped up. And then they left the court and stormed the streets surrounding the arena. And that's when the trouble started." (HLN)
Maryland's 97-92 victory over rival Duke sparked yet another court rush this season in college basketball. But is storming the court becoming too commonplace? And why do students feel the need to take that excitement out -- and turn it into a melee on the streets?
We're looking at perspectives from Rick Reilly for ESPN, Kansan.com and The Washington Post.
Just before the Terrapin win, leading sports columnist Rick Reilly issued a call for students to - in his words - "get out there and remain seated."
"This isn't karaoke Tuesdays. It's not a scheduled event. True rushing the court happens to a school once every 20 years or so. ... It's like walking down the aisle: If you do it more than twice in your life, you're doing it wrong."
One writer for Kansan.com criticizes Oklahoma State fans for storming the court after the Cowboy's victory over Kansas, pointing out that fans of high-caliber teams should not rush the court against each other -- especially when both will end up in the NCAA tournament.
"Really, how idiotic was that, Oklahoma State? ... Is it just me or does rushing the court mean you just pulled off something so miraculous that it deserves an impromptu celebration? How in the world can beating a team that will be in the same post-season tournament as you be considered miraculous or improbable?"
A Washington Post blogger shares reader comments from residents near the University of Maryland on the damage left in the wake of post-game riots.
"There really wasn't very much damage, the road was only closed for about an hour, it was after midnight so there wasn't much traffic, The last time we 'rioted' at MD was four years ago when the women won the national championship. What's the big deal? This seems to be getting blown way out of proportion."
Is it? Or do students need to get a clue about what is celebrating -- and what is going over the top?
Writer: Kyrsten Skulborstad
Producer: Brent Davidson
 |  |  |  |
