Bibby Calls Fans’ Jeers a ‘Disgrace’

EUGENE, Ore. —  Oregon’s intimate McArthur Court has a reputation of being one of the rowdiest and most intimidating arenas in the Pacific 10 Conference.

USC Coach Henry Bibby said that the 75-year-old court’s supporters leave much to be desired after the Trojans’ 73-69 loss here Saturday.

“These fans are the rudest I’ve ever seen in the world,” Bibby said. “The things they chant are a total disgrace to the conference. The things they say are a total disgrace to the University of Oregon.”

Bibby was referring to the Duck fans’ derisive chants of “Deadbeat Daddy” and “Your son hates you” in reference to Bibby’s well-publicized strained relationship with his son, Sacramento King guard Mike Bibby.

The Duck fans also chanted “Oompa-Loompa” at 5-foot-9 Trojan guard Brandon Granville whenever he went to the free-throw line, alluding to the little people in the movie “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.”

The Trojan coach has heard the same refrains at arenas throughout the Pac-10 during his six-year tenure at USC, but he admitted that he is growing weary of them.

“I know you guys don’t think I’m sensitive, but I’m just like you,” he said.

A mini-skirmish also broke out between an Oregon fan and the USC coaching staff after the game when Duck fans stormed the court and engaged the Trojan coaches in a heated shouting match in a tunnel, allegedly bumping a staff member.

No punches were thrown and no pushes exchanged, though USC assistant Damon Archibald criticized McArthur Court security officials.

“He was screaming profanities and stuff,” Archibald said. “It was [lax] security, man. You have to go through a game like that and then deal with this [stuff].”

Oregon Coach Ernie Kent, who did not witness the incident, downplayed it.

“I think we have a great college basketball environment,” he said. “I’m sure when we go there I’m going to have to face the same things.”

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Paul Gutierrez