Saturday night’s UNC-Duke showdown already had all the ingredients of an instant classic - a fierce rivalry, a dramatic game-winner, and a raucous home crowd. But in the aftermath of North Carolina’s 71-68 victory, the story took a turn that’s sparking serious conversations across college basketball.
Former Tar Heel guard Theo Pinson, never one to shy away from the spotlight, added fuel to the fire during a livestream the day after the game. His words? Unfiltered and eyebrow-raising.
“I punched one of the Duke players,” Pinson said. “That’s free licks.”
The comment came less than 24 hours after Seth Trimble buried a corner three with just 0.4 seconds left on the clock - a shot that sent the Dean E. Smith Center into a frenzy.
Fans poured onto the floor in celebration, thinking the game was over. But officials quickly ruled that time remained, forcing the crowd to clear out so Duke could attempt a final play.
When the Blue Devils’ last-ditch effort came up short, the court storm resumed - this time with even more intensity. And that’s where things got dangerous.
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer didn’t mince words postgame, revealing that multiple members of his team’s traveling party were physically struck during the chaos.
“I’ve got staff members that got punched in the face,” Scheyer said. “My family was pushing people away, trying not to get trampled. That’s not what this game is about.”
It’s a sobering reminder that while court stormings can be a thrilling part of college basketball’s culture, they’re also unpredictable - and potentially hazardous. Scheyer made it clear he’s not against fans celebrating a big win, but he emphasized the need for protocols that ensure player and staff safety.
“They won, they should celebrate,” Scheyer said. “But we’ve got to get our guys off safely.”
North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham echoed that sentiment, confirming that someone affiliated with Duke was injured and offering a personal apology to Scheyer. He didn’t provide further details on the incident or the extent of the injuries.
As for Pinson, he didn’t elaborate on when the alleged punch occurred or who was on the receiving end. But his admission - whether meant seriously, jokingly, or somewhere in between - has only intensified the spotlight on the dangers of postgame court rushes.
It’s not the first time the aftermath of a big game has turned chaotic, and it likely won’t be the last. But with emotions running high and rivalries as intense as UNC-Duke, the line between celebration and calamity can get blurry fast.
This game will be remembered for Trimble’s clutch shot, for the roar of the Smith Center crowd, and now, for a postgame controversy that’s reigniting calls for change. Court stormings may be part of the college basketball experience, but Saturday night showed - once again - that they come with risks that can’t be ignored.