From Deadspin.com, and according to various accounts from the end of Kansas's 108-96 overtime win over Iowa State on Monday, February 25, 2013, a fan attempted to rush the court and confront Kansas head coach Bill Self.Kansas won the game in overtime in convincing fashion as images of Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg’s son was crying in his mom’s arms after ISU’s gut wrenching conclusion. The game was sent to overtime after Elijah Johnson drove inside in an attempt to put in a layup to tie the game in regulation, only to run into an ISU player and hit the floor. Neither a charge or block was called and then the ISU player was called for a holding penalty, sending Johnson to the line. Johnson made both free throws and sent the game to overtime. Johnson also concluded overtime with a questionable uncontested dunk.Several people in the student section reportedly threw plastic megaphones at the Kansas players as they left the court, including the man who needed to be restrained by police after confronting Bill Self on the court.As the Lawrence Journal World reports, Self downplayed run-in with ‘animated’ Iowa State fan. “I don’t think I got rushed. That dude didn’t really come at me. I really think I could have taken him without any problem,” Self joked on Tuesday’s Hawk Talk radio show. A police officer grabbed the man and escorted him away from KU’s coach.
“It was not a serious deal at all like people made it out to be. Maybe his body language made it look differently,” Self added of a person he heard was “a big booster of the Cyclones.”
“I didn’t feel in the least bit like anything would come of that. It was a fan voicing himself in a way he was a little animated. The words weren’t bad.”
Self did say it was a bit alarming fans were so close to the players after a hotly contested game. Several ISU students pelted the Jayhawk players with debris as they headed to the locker room.
“They could probably make some corrections to make sure they (fans) don’t have access to players after a game like that,” Self said. “I know when we’ve been at Missouri in heated times, there’s security escorting the players out. After the handshake line it probably could be tightened up a bit.”
Self also said, “I will say this about Iowa State fans: I like them. They are good. They are loyal and enthusiastic.”
From USA Today, two reporters on the scene described the action on Twitter:
@nickkrug (KUsports.com)
- "No swings, but the fan looked pretty mad."
- "To clarify, the ISU fan was up close yelling at Self, who just kept walking as the cop pulled the fan away."
@jessenewell (Lawrence Journal-World)
- "Self was walking out after TV interview. That fan charged at him, got shoulder-to-shoulder. Policeman pushed him back."
Though the incident wasn't captured by ESPN cameras, the reaction of booing fans can be heard while Johnson talks to Rowe.
If you would like to be notified when Ryan publishes an article, click "subscribe" below, follow his BLOG, follow him on TWITTER, find him on FACEBOOK or find him at Man Versus Triathlon.
Endurance Sports Examiner
Kansas City Endurance Sports Examiner
Kansas City German Shepherd Examiner
Kansas Jayhawk Basketball Examiner
General Pets Examiner
Fitness and Exercise Examiner
Outdoor Rec and Adventure Examiner
Recreational Sports Examiner
Comments