Trending Now - Jacksonville State Players Involved in Altercation With Fan

WHO:

Jacksonville State Gamecocks men’s basketball players

UTEP fan (identified by a white UTEP sweater)

Jacksonville State guard Jaye Nash

UTEP athletic director Jim Senter

Conference USA spokesperson Josh Yonis

Local police and Jacksonville State personnel

WHAT:

Jacksonville State defeated UTEP in their final regular-season game on March 6, 2026, with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Mostapha El Moutaouakkil.

A heated confrontation occurred between Jacksonville State players and a UTEP fan after the game.

The UTEP fan picked up a chair and shook it toward Jacksonville State players during the postgame handshake line.

Conference USA is reviewing the incident in conjunction with both athletic directors.

WHERE:

The incident took place at the UTEP arena in El Paso, Texas.

WHEN:

The altercation occurred on March 6, 2026, following the conclusion of the basketball game.

The Conference USA men’s basketball tournament begins on March 10, 2026.

WHY:

The cause of the altercation is unclear, but ESPN broadcasters noted that some fans should have been removed from the gym prior to the incident.

HOW:

Jacksonville State players were held back by staffers as the fan with the chair continued to yell at them.

UTEP players and staff directed their team back to the locker room, while Jacksonville State staffers did the same for their team.

(UPDATED March 8, 2026 16:15 UTC)

In a thrilling finish on March 6, 2026, Jacksonville State defeated UTEP with a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Mostapha El Moutaouakkil, but the excitement turned sour when a heated confrontation erupted between Jacksonville State players and a UTEP fan after the game. The fan, wearing a white UTEP sweater, reportedly picked up a chair and shook it toward the players during the postgame handshake line, prompting local police and Jacksonville State personnel to intervene. Conference USA is currently reviewing the incident in collaboration with both athletic directors, as the men's basketball tournament is set to begin on March 10.