Porter Moser addresses concerns about court storming

Oklahoma basketball head coach Porter Moser was asked about his concerns over court storming in light of the Caitlin Clark incident.

Clark jogged off the court and collided with an Ohio State fan following the Buckeyes’ upset win over Iowa. After it appeared she was injured, Clark just noted she had the wind knocked out of her.

But it spurred more conversation about the safety concerns of court storming.

“I do think people got to be prepared,” Moser said. “I’ll tell you this. We get to Cincinnati, Cincinnati had a court storming against TCU. Literally an hour and a half before the game security pulled me aside and said if Cincinnati wins and they were on the court, this is what’s gonna happen.

“We were coming out of the one exit because you’re gonna shake their hands and we got a whole tunnel. We’re gonna go right to a door behind their bench. So they were completely prepared. They had security there.” 

Moser didn’t directly comment on court storming and whether it should be outlawed. He did acknowledge if schools take proper precaution and preparation, it runs smoother than anticipated.

“And they are so I think the preparation is part of it, too,” Moser said. “There’s got to be some kind of penalty if there’s contact with a student athlete … It’s hard because we court stormed when we played Alabama. But there’s gotta be sanctions if there’s a crossing a line of touching a student athlete or something thrown at a student athlete. They gotta feel safe down there. 

“But but it’s preparation. And then it’s got to be an education to your fans. Don’t cross the line.. If you’re gonna storm the court, run the middle, but your first responsibility is to get the other team off safely. And I think we’ve got to continue to work on that.”

Moser doesn’t necessarily want court storming to go away, but it’s something that should be thought about one way or another.

“It’s a fine line because it’s been something in basketball for a long time,” Moser said. “I have to think about that. Whether I just think they should totally eliminate it or not. I gotta think about that.”

Clark, after her incident, explained that protocols could have been better enforced but she understands the risk of a court-storming comes with playing in such a high-profile game.

“You know, this is what comes with the territory,” Clark said. “I mean, I’m sure they tried their best to do whatever they could. Obviously, it didn’t work and that’s disappointing, but you know, just focus now on the game and, you know, ways we can get better.”