Sports

Kentucky Basketball Accused Of Dirty Play After Head Punch And Foot Stomp Ignites Rivalry Brawl

by Last Updated
Kentucky Basketball Dirty Punch Brandon Garrison
Getty Image

Kentucky battled to a gritty win over Louisville during Saturday’s college basketball rivalry game on its home floor. However, the fifth-ranked Wildcats are being accused of dirty play after a myriad of incidents boiled over into a minor scuffle late in the second half.

Brandon Garrison is at the center of the conversation.

The 6-foot-10, 250-pound sophomore forward transferred from Oklahoma State during the offseason. He is currently averaging 5.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in 18.2 minutes per game for his new team, with five points, four assists and four rebounds against the Cardinals.

As could be expected from a rivalry game between two teams who are decidedly “back,” things got chippy in a hurry. Former Louisville star Peyton Silva was chirping back and forth with the students in Lexington during pregame warmups, which set the tone for the evening.

Even though all 10 starters in this year’s game are first-year transfers, the bad blood is still very real. There was a lot of physical play throughout the entire night. Garrison might’ve gone too far.

Louisville and Kentucky hate each other!

It appeared as though he threw two entirely needless punches to the back of Cardinals guard Chucky Hepburn’s head early in the second half. He went out of his way to make contact with his opponent while running back up the college basketball court after a made basket. Officials did not notice.

Not long thereafter, Garrison ended up in front of the Louisville bench after a battle for a loose ball. Although he held up his hands as if to say “I am not trying to cause any problems,” the bench did not appreciate how he stood over one of their own.

Brandon Garrison Kentucky Louisville Basketball Brawl
Getty Image

They stepped in to get him away from their fallen teammate which led to a scuffle that had to be broken up.

If you look closely, Garrison’s foot stomped down on Reyne Smith.

Was it intentional? Here’s another look:

Garrison also grabbed at the face of a Louisville player while being pushed from behind. Whether on purpose or not, his thumb seemingly gouged the opponent’s eye.

Rivals will be rivals. Tensions are going to boil over. It happens.

With that being said, there is a difference between animosity and dirty play. Brandon Garrison is being accused of the latter. Is that a fair assessment?