B-dowd and I were discussing this topic this morning, especially in light of Illinois students rushing the court after their upset win over MSU. An act that Dick Vitale took serious issue with but that Illini students felt was their right, especially in that moment.
First off, Dick Vitale is a buffoon and he's been a caricature of himself for going on 20 years. He adds almost nothing to broadcasts, he's annoying, he bellows stupidity and paws at his play-by-play guy and, worst of all, he makes me like Bob Knight as a color guy. For Vitale -- a clown who gets animated over the stupidest little things -- to criticize students for going crazy is, well, effing stupid. They're going bananas, Dick, just like you do when talking about John Wall like you want to hump his leg. But I digress.
When, dear readers, is it okay to rush the court in college basketball? I was thinking today that there is hardly a situation left where it would seem that Purdue fans would rush the court...correct? I mean, let's say the rankings are reversed when MSU comes to WestLaf and Purdue wins -- the students aren't rushing the court then, are they?
And by the same token, there's absolutely no way MSU fans are storming the floor if they win over the Boilers tomorrow night. That we can say with certainty.
On the other hand, you had the Illini fans rushing on after beating #5 MSU and, earlier this year, you had IU fans storming the court after knocking off powerhouse Minnesota.
So when is it okay? Because there has to be a time, right? Or are you always supposed to pretend you've been there before? We want your opinions on this one.
I'll tell you some of my personal guidelines for what I think is okay:
1) You're mediocre and take down the #1 team in the country. A great example of this was a marginal South Carolina team knocking off #1 and undefeated Kentucky a couple weeks ago. That was cause for celebration.
2) You're a small-time team from a small-time conference and you knock off a powerhouse team from a big-boy conference. Doesn't have to be a #1 team, but they should definitely be top ten, let's say, and a team that is a shock for you to beat.
3) The win clinches a conference title or undefeated season or championship of some kind that's been a long time coming.
That's about it for me.
Times when it's definitely not okay but seems to have become acceptable:
1) When it's a conference foe that's not #1 in the nation. You're supposed to sometimes beat your conference opponents. Acting like you can't believe you pulled one out against a conference opponent is kind of embarrassing. This falls under acting like you've been there before, because you probably have.
2) When it's simply a team ranked higher than you. If you're #25 and you beat #15, simply cheer from your seats.
3) When it's going to get you mocked relentlessly. See Indiana over Minnesota.
What say you, BS faithful?
19 comments:
Where does Purdue storming the field after beating aOSU in football fall? Or is football a different situation?
Different situation, I think. OSU was #7 and undefeated in conference play, but more than that... it was a "we have zero chance" kind of game (1-5, had lost to Northern Ill, NW and Minny) AND let's not forget the streak of six years without a win over a ranked team. And even longer over a top ten team. Lots of mitigating factors... disagree?
Didn't we rush the court when we beat #11 Wisconsin at home in '08? Not even a top 10 team. Where does that fall? I understand that was when the "Baby Boilers" were coming of age, but still, we have to be fair right?
Yes, the IU/Minnesota rushing was unfathomable, but any time a school has a drought of big wins, they become more and more likely to find any excuse to rush the court/field. Mostly, because students get that "once in a lifetime" mindset and want to say they've done it.
The osu football game was completely different. A lot of firsts occured through that result for the program.
On a side note there were about 3 people that rushed the court when the lady boilers beat the # 4 osu. They were on the court for about 5seconds and rushed back to their seats.
sounds like some boiler fans are a little self-righteous..
Purdue can rush the court whenever they want. Only elite teams shouldnt rush the court
J Money-
Unless it is to clinch a conference championship, I don't ever see it acceptable to rush the floor against a conference opponent. Illini have 3 more losses than MSU. They should have more pride and more confidence about their program. I found myself perplexed because Dickie V was going nuts and I was kinda agreeing with him...his concerns were for the players and refs clearing the floor, and I think that to be legit.
When I rushed the field in 2000 at Ross Ade when Seth Morales caught that bomb from now Super Bowl champion Drew Brees (I admit that play put tears in my eyes when it happened)...that wave...that force, that fluid motion that is the rushing body...is impenetrable. If you dropped your hat or coat or something and tried to pick it up...you would have been trampled to death. I don't think the wave effect is quite as applicable coming onto a basketball floor vs a football field...but that feeling of having no control over where you were going, you just went where the crowd pushed...I can see how people get hurt.
Yes Purdue fans did rush the court against Wisconsin in 2008. Purdue was unranked, and Wisconsin was #11 in the AP poll. This was a mere two years ago. Of course today they would not rush the floor for beating the #11 team in the country, but I found it perfectly acceptable at the time.
That is why I don't really agree with the rules listed. I also don't think it was wrong of Illinois to rush the other night. They did not have a signature win. They are clearly on the bubble. That game against the #5 team in the country may get them into the tourney. It was a season-changing win for Illinois.
If Penn State beat #6 Purdue would it be wrong of them to rush? I don't think so. I think even though the Crimson Guard says not to rush anymore, it would have been hard to keep them off the court if they beat Purdue last Thursday. That place was electric and it would have been a huge win for a program that was in shambles the last couple years against their biggest rival. I know it is Indiana, but most of the current students haven't seen a win that big.
I just don't think a team has to be #1 in the nation if they are in conference. It depends on each specific situation and the rule is not set in stone.
I would agree that the Purdue-OSU game was "rush the field" worthy, with the new coach and QB and basically zero expectations for the season.
But with this basketball team being picked to win the conference this year and currently ranked 6th, I wouldn't think rushing the court would ever be warranted.
I was present at both of the most recent rushings here. The 2008 Wisconsin win, and the OSU win (still the background on my cell phone). All I can say is that it felt right at the time. The game was getting to the end and everyone around just knew, this needs a rush. It's the magnitude of the game. Sure the OSU shouldn't have meant anything, it was a good win in a rebuilding season, but I never thought for a second, "Rushing the field would be stupid." I'm with DavidS, it's an emotional thing, and it just feels right at the time.
Kyle -- You're pretty cool! Feel free to not visit again!
Aww, J Money is upset...
1) clinching a conference championship
2) Ending a significant streak, like when KSU beat KU two seasons ago after 30 (?) straight losses in Manhattan?
3) When you are unranked and you knock off the #1 team in the country.
Even I was fired up when MSU lost to Wisconsin, and then this game, because now Purdue is that much closer to taking back the conference. Should they have rushed the court? Probably not, but hey, let the kids have some fun; it might be their biggest win of the year.
IU rushing the court against Minnesota was surely a joke... I mean, I think the students were mocking their own current program.
I can see both sides on this issue.
DAG NAB IT! Let the students have fun!!!!!!
Mr Anonymous -- You're free to suck it, too.
Love,
J
Forgot about miraculous comebacks, a la Purdue over MSU in the '96 football season.
It just has to feel right. I don't agree with Illinois rushing the court mainly because they we're playing MSU without Lucas after they had already been beaten by Wisconsin. I think that is why Dicky V was upset with them. And for IU, I'm suprised they didn't put a banner up after beating Minny.
We rushed the court against Wisc. in 08 because we couldn't rush the court when we beat them in Wisc, and nobody expected that young Purdue team to beat one of the best teams in the country twice.
I agree that many fans are rushing the court at the wrong time. But it doesn't always mean that the fans are "shocked" that their team won. Nor does it mean that they're not used to being in that situation. It just means that it was an emotional, and important win. I have to reference the Illinois over MSU win. It's not that its so unbelievable, but it was a crucial game. If Illinois lost that game, they were probably out of the race...now they're still in it. Heck, I was rushing my proverbial court at home because I know what it meant for Purdue.
Basically, its not always done out of "shock" or "disbelief"...sometimes, it's just exciting.
I think anytime you are unranked and beat an opponent ranked in the top 10 it gives justice to rushing. Think though, college is the only type of sports where its acceptable to get on the court/field after a win. You never see after a MLB,NBA,or NFL game fans on the respected playing field. It comes with the territory of being in college. I dont think that should be taken away. I will always remember rushing after the OSU game, coming down from one of the higher rows and being asked "why are you leaving?" and just shouting "RUSH THE FIELD!"
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