In recent weeks, court storming in college basketball has come under scrutiny as player injuries have sparked concerns about the safety of such celebrations. The topic has reignited a decades-long debate about whether court storming should be allowed, how it can be prevented, and what measures should be taken to protect players, coaches, officials, and fans.

The issue gained attention when Duke's Kyle Filipowski was injured after a wave of Wake Forest fans rushed the court following the Demon Deacons' victory over the No. 8 Blue Devils. Filipowski had to be helped off the court after a fan ran into him. Duke coach Jon Scheyer called for a ban on court storming, a sentiment echoed by Wake Forest coach Steve Forbes. Both coaches expressed concern about the potential dangers players face during these incidents.

Statistics on court storming are not readily available, but an ESPN review found that there have been approximately three court storms per week in college basketball over the past three months. While most court storms result in jubilant celebrations without injuries, there have been cases where players have been hurt. In 2004, Arizona high school star Joe Kay suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed after a court storming incident.

College basketball fans, players, coaches, administrators, and media outlets are now grappling with key questions about court storming protocols. Can it be prevented? Should it be allowed? Conference policies and penalties vary, with some enforcing fines on schools and others relying on individual sanctions. However, there is a lack of consistent measures across the board.

There are divided opinions on the matter. Some argue that court storming adds excitement to the game and serves as an emotional release for fans. They believe that as long as it is done safely, court storming can be a significant part of college basketball culture. Others, like ESPN analyst Jay Bilas, contend that it is "just stupid" to encourage storming when it poses risks to player safety.

Efforts to prevent court storming face challenges due to the difficulty of controlling large crowds. Suggestions have been made, such as discontinuing alcohol sales, planning alternative celebrations for the winning team, or having fans remain in their seats until the game concludes. However, implementing and enforcing these measures on a large scale is not easy.

In response to these concerns, the NCAA has called for conferences to address court storming at the conference level, citing the safety of student-athletes as a priority. Conferences have varying policies, but most emphasize the safe exit of visiting teams and officials before allowing fans onto the court. Many conferences require schools to have written action plans in place to ensure the safety of all involved.

As the debate continues, court storming incidents remind everyone of the potential risks and consequences. While court storming can be a thrilling and memorable moment for fans, the safety of players and others should remain paramount. The conversation around court storming protocols and the balancing act between tradition and safety is likely to persist as the college basketball season progresses.