What is going on in Lubbock, Texas?
During Tuesday night’s rivalry game between Texas and Texas Tech at United Supermarkets Arena, a flagrant foul from the Longhorns set off the Red Raiders fans — and head coach Grant McCasland was forced to intervene.
The chaos ensued after a missed shot by Texas, 81-69 winners over Texas Tech, led to a loose ball near the sideline as it bounced near the scorer’s table.
The Red Raiders’ Darrion Willams sprinted toward the ball and appeared to get there first, but Brock Cunningham made a hockey enforcer-type move and shoulder-checked his opponent, prompting a strong reaction from the Texas Tech side.
Both teams had to be separated as tensions hit a boiling point, though Cunningham seemed to be surprised that he was even called for the foul.
As Cunningham walked to the road bench, he waved his arms up as if to taunt the Texas Tech crowd as boos rained down — and eventually bottles and items.
Cunningham, who was seen yelling toward the other bench, was eventually assessed a flagrant 2, and was ejected from the contest.
But even after that, fans still threw multiple bottles onto the floor, and the officials gave Texas Tech an administrative technical for the debris coming onto the playing surface.
That prompted the Red Raiders’ McCasland to take the microphone and tell the incensed folks to stop the madness.
“Everybody listen, everything that gets thrown onto the floor, we’re going to get a technical foul,” he said. “Listen to me, it’s gotta stop. Nothing else on the floor. Am I clear?”
A mix of boos and cheers came down, but things eventually got sorted out as Texas pulled away with the win after what was a chaotic second half.
At least one beer-thrower was escorted out by security.
Cunningham finished with nine points and four rebounds before he was tossed from the game.