Mark Byington credits Vanderbilt fans for not storming court amid growing fines ahead visit from No. 1 Auburn

Two weeks ago, Mark Byington joked Vanderbilt might have to start a GoFundMe page to help pay the program’s hefty court-storming fines levied by the SEC following on-court celebrations after back-to-back home upsets against then-Top 10-ranked Tennessee and Kentucky.

“If we gotta start a GoFundMe page or something to pay the fines, we’ll figure it out,” Byington said following a 74-69 win over then-No. 9 Wildcats on Jan. 25. “But at the same time, I’m happy for (the fans). What a memory for them. I told our guys, let’s make a memory for all those people cheering for Vanderbilt today. And they made a great memory.”

This season has already been full of great memories during Byington’s first season in Nashville, and with the No. 1-ranked Auburn Tigers (21-2, 9-1 SEC) set to visit Memorial Gymnasium on Tuesday, there could be potential for another costly court-storming if Vanderbilt (17-6, 5-5) were to pull off the stunning home upset.

But, following Saturday’s 86-78 win over visiting Texas (15-9, 4-7) in Nashville — the Commodores’ fourth consecutive home victory inside Memorial Gymnasium — Byington took the opportunity to acknowledge the clear growth from Vanderbilt’s fanbase after the program paid out a whopping $750,000 combined to rival Tennessee and Kentucky following their previous two home wins.

Mark Byington: ‘I think they stayed off the court today, so good for them’

“Everyone of these games is exciting, and the students have been … it’s been a lot of fun to coach in this environment, our guys love playing in this environment,” Byington said Saturday. “And I think they stayed off the court today, so good for them.”

Since the Tennessee game, Vanderbilt athletic director Candice Storey Lee has pleading with ‘Dores fans to stay off the court after games, going so far as to stand in front of the student section before they ultimately ignored her pleas and rushed the floor following the Kentucky win.

Of course, with what could still be the No.1-ranked Tigers despite No. 6 Florida upsetting Auburn, 90-81, on the road Saturday, the chance for another court-storming is certainly on the table.

But that’s hardly Byington’s top concern.

“The Auburn game, I’ve watched them on film, obviously, many, many times against different opponents. I think every team kind of has weaknesses, but Auburn don’t have any weakneesses. You watch them, and I’ll study them more, maybe I’ll find something, but I doubt it because I’ve already seen them a bunch,” Byington added. “They can win any different style, they’re terrific and they’ll be a big challenge. We’re going to need to play really well and need evrything around us to be great — a great environment, great support — and these games are fun, so we’ll take our shot.”