On Saturday, Wake Forest became the main character of the college basketball world for two reasons.
First, the Demon Deacons edged No. 8 Duke 83-79 to further solidify their campaign toward qualifying for their first NCAA tournament since 2017.
Second, Wake Forest’s fans rushed the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum court after the victory—hitting and spraining the ankle of Blue Devils center Kyle Filipowski in the process.
The incident ignited debate across the country over the ethics of court-storming, with Duke coach Jon Scheyer calling for a ban on the practice.
It also led to a statement from Demon Deacons athletic director John Currie, who said he called both Blue Devils and ACC administrators to express his regret.
Wake Forest AD John Currie has released a statement. pic.twitter.com/b5LdUBTXT1
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) February 25, 2024
“Although our event management staff and security had rehearsed postgame procedures to protect the visiting team and officials, we clearly must do better,” Currie said in the statement. “I appreciate the postgame comments of (Scheyer) and I am in complete agreement that something more must be done about the national phenomenon of court and field storming and Wake Forest looks forward to being a part of those conversations.”
Filipowski, who suggested the Demon Deacons’ fans’ actions were intentional postgame, is the reigning ACC Rookie of the Year.
