South Carolina Fined $25,000 for Court Storming Celebration

 

by Bill DiFilippo / @bflip33

The SEC has fined South Carolina $25,000. Not for a recruiting violation or playing ineligible players, but for its students storming the court after the Gamecocks upset then-No. 17 Kentucky.

South Carolina took down the Wildcats 72-67 on Saturday in Columbia. The win was the school’s first victory over a ranked opponent in more than three years.

From The State:

SEC policy states that “at no time before, during or after a contest shall spectators be permitted to enter the competition area.”

Fines range from $5,000 for a first offense up to $50,000.

It’s the third time South Carolina has been fined for violating the policy, with the last one imposed in January 2010.

Court storming has come under criticism lately after a brawl broke out between players and fans during last week’s Utah Valley-New Mexico State contest. Gamecock students will get another chance to storm the court on Tuesday, when the team hosts No. 1 Florida.