Screwy Hoops Fans, Part II: Jeff Xavier's Bro Comes Out of Stands to Face Refs

Saturday was a big day in college hoops. A new No. 1 squad was likely crowned. UNC put some doubts to rest ... at least for now. And fans launched into a full-blown madness a couple of months in advance.

Brinson shared some video from the Clemson-Wake Forest tilt of the flying plancha a student took onto Demon Deacons center Chas McFarland. But that incident paled in comparison to the wackiness that would ensue in Providence following a hard shot on Friars guard Jeff Xavier with 17:13 left to play.

After Xavier was knocked from the game on a non-call with his eye swollen shut, his brother Jonathan (pictured right), actually came down from the stands and jumped over the Providence bench to confront the referees.

You can catch video evidence of the scuffle right around the 1:51 mark below:

Xavier also looked really agitated at the lack of a whistle (and the fact that his eye was completely closed by the scrape). It even escalated to the point where Marquette coach Buzz Williams threatened to pull his players off the court, but security quickly escorted Xavier's brother away, and Jonathan would later be charged with disorderly conduct at the Providence police station.

"I told the officials, 'We'll leave, because that's extremely dangerous,"' Williams said. "I saw the guy coming out of the stands. Forget the game; I'm going to protect the guys. I'm going to protect those guys no matter what."

The No. 14 Golden Eagles would rally from a 13-point deficit for a rather interesting 91-82 victory.

Did You See That?

The field clears a fence during the New Season Handicap Steeplechase during the at Ludlow Racecourse on September 16, 2008 in Ludlow, England.

Emanuele Canonica of Italy helps his caddie in the rescue of a pigeon from the water around the 18th green during the first round of the Portugal Masters at the Oceanico Victoria Golf Course on October 16, 2008 in Vilamoura, Portugal.

A multiexposure image showing Britain's Andy Murray returning to Croatian Marin Cilic during a last sixteen tennis match at the Madrid Masters in Madrid on October 16, 2008. Andy Murray won 7-5, 7-6.

English football fans dressed in armours and tunics play in a friendly match against Belarus fans in Minsk on October 15, 2008 before the start of the Belarus vs. England 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier of European group 6 match.

Travis Brigley (R) of Hamburg fights with Matt Keith (L) of Ingolstadt during the DEL match between Hamburg Freezers and ERC Ingolstadt at the Color Line Arena on October 14, 2008 in Hamburg, Germany.

Russian Nikolay Davydenko returns a ball to US Robby Ginepri during a second round tennis match at the Masters in Madrid on October 15, 2008.

A golf ball which has been enveloped by the tree over many years is pictured during the pro-am for the Portugal Masters at the Oceanico Victoria Golf Course on October 15, 2008 in Vilamoura, Portugal.

Andy Murray of Great Britain plays football during his training session prior to his thrid round match tomorrow at the Madrid Masters tennis tournament at the Madrid Arena on October 15, 2008 in Madrid, Spain.

Samuel Peter from Nigeria gets a punch from Vitali Klitschko of Ukraine during their WBC heavyweight boxing world championship fight in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008. Klitschko won the fight after round nine due to technical knock out.

Herbert Knosowski, AP

Japan's Kyoko Hamaguchi (lower) fights with China's Hong Yan (red) during the semi-final of the 72kg class of the Women's Wrestling World Championships in Tokyo on October 13, 2008. Hong defeated Hamaguchi and will face Bulgaria's Stanka Zlateva in the final.

Yoshikazu Tsuno, AFP/Getty Images

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

1-18-2009 @ 10:41AM

arkmanmat said...

another scholarship given out to a BOZO THE CLOWN family!!!!!!!!!

1-19-2009 @ 1:47AM

dc2atl said...

bozo the clown, that new u racist monkey

1-18-2009 @ 11:16AM

Coach Steve said...

If you slow the video down and pause it, there wasn't anything out of the ordinary that would warrant Xavier and his brother to act the way they did. Xavier felt he was entitled to a call because of the contact that he initiated. Sorry X, not this time, you drove into an opposing players elbow.

1-19-2009 @ 9:30AM

lanzonmarc said...

It may have not even been a foul...he has position and raised his arms straight up...Kind of a freak accident

1-18-2009 @ 3:54PM

pepe1974 said...

Where in the Hell was the call? I guess officials are always correct and can never be questioned. They will probably be commended on a piss-poor job.

1-19-2009 @ 11:09AM

timsalive said...

The no call was correct. He was hit accidently by jumping up into his elbow. Poor reporting

1-18-2009 @ 4:21PM

THEO said...

that was a clean play if i ever saw one just another example of the urban culture being out of control they are real lucky no one got killed or hurt

1-18-2009 @ 6:48PM

noonrock said...

Those sideline experts who neither understand the game nor played will not see what happened. I stand with those that say it was accidental and a no-call was correct. Sorry mongos.

1-18-2009 @ 7:00PM

Hubert39 said...

A law should be passed that if a fan comes on the court or field during a game they should be arrested,and fined $5000.
Who remembers the olds days when basketball players were called cage players because they played in a cage to protect themselves from the fans(fanatics)

1-18-2009 @ 7:14PM

alman62 said...

Typical "THUG" behavior....is anyone surprised. The player should be suspended indefinantly and the brother should be banned for life.

1-18-2009 @ 7:56PM

quaker313 said...

Why be such a coward? Come on and say what you really want to say, you friggin racist. Why put quotation marks around THUG, huh? Say the word you really want to say. Yeah, the player's older brother was a dumbass, but I don't see how what he did was typical "thug" behavior. Thug behavior dictates you find the ref later and make him eat an elbow or two, but I digress. You sir and your little "code" words could probably use some elbows to the mouth too. Good thing you're safe and sound in your mommy's basement. Don't be a coward. Just say it if it's what you believe. Dumbass

1-18-2009 @ 11:36PM

mulva999 said...

OK fool, they both are "Thugs" if he were to call them by the proper name he would have Jesse Jackson and Rev. Al "Wide Load" Sharpton all over him. They are both black Thugs and if not for basketball they would both be in any local lockup for stealing something. Get real and get out of your mothers government housing back room.

1-19-2009 @ 2:25AM

Wayne said...

Quaker313, what the hell are you talking about. "Dumbass" doesn't begin to describe the brother's behavior. Are you saying if alman62 had used a racial slur, it would make him brave! How does calling someone who exhibits "thugish" behavior a "thug", make him racist. Your an idiot. Now go ahead and call me a name to make yourself feel better.

1-19-2009 @ 4:25PM

kimmeyson said...

Let me get this straight....you think that the player who got hit in the eye should be suspended? WTF kind of logic is that???

1-18-2009 @ 7:15PM

PJ said...

yup...nothing dirty about that play...the guys brother just felt like he had to act like a f***in tough guy and walk on the court and confront the offficial...

1-18-2009 @ 7:32PM

tnadolny1 said...

HOW MANY STEPS DO YOU GET?? NO CHANDE IN HELL THAT THAT SISSY WAS HURT NICE ACT GO BACK TO HIGH SCHOOL THAT IS IF YOU DIDN'T NEED TO FINISH AGAIN!!!

1-18-2009 @ 8:07PM

Brian said...

there was no foul in that, i will agree with arkmanmat, another scholarship given to someone who does not deserve it

1-18-2009 @ 8:48PM

gambino002 said...

it is typical

1-18-2009 @ 9:40PM

satorii1s said...

Meh... big deal... Call is questioned, fans retaliate. blah blah blah. what's funny is all you "Sports Fans" living vicariously through these Over-Hyped and Over-Paid individuals. Funny is as funny does and watching anybody (to wit, a spectator) get so upset as to "confront a referee" is pure hilarity. If they know so much why aren't they Refs? Truth is being a "referee" is not an easy job, most of these guys should be commended for having to make the tough decisions then stand by them when the invitible flack comes their way.