iStockphoto
The Mississippi Valley State basketball team picked up its first win of the season on Monday, taking down SWAC rival Prairie View. The victory halted a 29-game losing skid that dated back to the 2022-23 season.
To celebrate, fans in attendance rushed onto the court before returning to their seats amid a brief moment of chaos. The postgame scene quickly trended online after the fact.
Court storming has been a major topic of discussion this season following a pair of notable incidents involving high-profile players. On the women’s side of things, Iowa star Caitlin Clark was seen colliding with an Ohio State fan who rushed onto the floor following an upset of the Hawkeyes in January.
She had to be helped off the court by teammates, sparking immediate controversy in the sports world.
“It comes with the territory,” Clark said after the collision. “I’m sure [security] tried their best… Obviously, it didn’t work.”
The scene split the college basketball world. Should court storming be banned?
Those erring on the side of player safety say yes. Those who believe it to be an exciting celebratory tradition for the team and fans say no.
The discussion again heated up in February when Duke star Kyle Filipowski was hit by a Wake Forest fan entering the court. Filipowski was seen limping off the floor with the help of staff members, noting an ankle injury shortly thereafter.
A second wave of court storming opinion began, with Jay Bilas going as far as to have schools take legal action against fans who rush the court.
Mississippi Valley State basketball fans did not care about Bilas’s opinion.
After picking up a 57-51 conference win, they stormed the court.
That win came on Senior Night in the Delta Devils’ final home game of the year. Here’s the call:
CHILLS! IN THE SENIORS LAST GAME AT THE R.W. HARRISON COMPLEX! pic.twitter.com/bHEH2qjRIy
— Mid-Major Madness (@mid_madness) February 27, 2024
After the final seconds wound down from the clock, MVSU improved to 1-27 on the season. Fans ran onto the floor then rushed quickly back to their seats!
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE PICKS UP ITS FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON AND EVERYTHING WAS PURE GOLD!
THEY’VE STORMED THE COURT IN ITTA BENA! WORTH EVERY PENNY! pic.twitter.com/Y9qMaMMbCG
— Mid-Major Madness (@mid_madness) February 27, 2024
With court storming banned, we’d lose out on incredible moments like these.
Player safety should be a top priority moving forward, and the powers that be will discuss how to safely navigate these postgame celebrations – whether it be through added security or a delayed celebration allowing the opposing team to make its way off the floor.
We’ll see what, if anything, is done to improve court storming scenarios.