Aside from the on-court drama, an NIT first-round matchup between Morehead State and Clemson gave us a hilarious sideline moment.
As the Eagles tried to upend the Tigers early on in the first half, head coach Preston Spradlin had an energetic conversation with official Teddy Valentine. Once he made his peace known, Spradlin gave Valentine a light slap on his butt. While Spradlin started to walk away, Valentine quickly returned the favor.
After what seemed like a delayed reaction, Spradlin turned around, gripped his butt, and grimaced in joking pain as if to say Valentine really walloped him.
All in all, an amusing moment between a coach and ref:
Preston Spradlin and Teddy Valentine with the dueling spanks! pic.twitter.com/WPCpGOZCqN
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) March 16, 2023
I mean, honestly: who among us hasn’t been surprised by the sheer velocity of an unfortunate butt slap?
Spradlin would take his lumps en route to a 68-64 Morehead State win.