Conference USA and both schools involved are reviewing a post-game incident Saturday in which a UTEP fan picked up a chair during a heated confrontation with Jacksonville State players.
Moments after Jacksonville State guard Mostapha El Moutaouakkil’s buzzer-beater lifted the Gamecocks to a 64-61 victory in El Paso, a courtside fan behind the scorer’s table began waving a chair while screaming at the Jacksonville State team during the traditional postgame handshake line along the sideline.
JSU players had to be restrained by staffers and security personnel from reaching the man, and officials from both programs and CUSA said afterward that the matter will be investigated. Other fans also appeared to be verbally jawing with the Gamecocks contingent.
After the conclusion of UTEP vs Jacksonville State the handshake line was interupted as a Fan picked up a Chair and began to berrate the refs and Jacksonville State’s staff pic.twitter.com/kq70Fga1mn
— NCAA Buzzer Beaters & Game Winners (@NCAABuzzerBters) March 7, 2026
“We are reviewing the incident in conjunction with both [athletic directors], but we do not have a statement at this time,” Conference USA spokesperson Josh Yonis said in a statement.
“We are going to review the video when we [obtain] it,” UTEP A.D. Jim Senter added. “We will take appropriate action as needed.”
According to ESPN, Jacksonville State officials said the school would “defer” to the conference before commenting.
An angry UTEP fan picks up a chair and gestures toward Jacksonville State players after a men’s college basketball game on March 7, 2026. X/ESPN
An angry UTEP fan is confronted by a security guard amid an altercation with Jacksonville State players after a men’s college basketball game on March 7, 2026. X/ESPN
UTEP also experienced a handshake-line incident following a road loss at New Mexico on Feb. 21. Miners coach Joe Golding appeared to tap NMSU coach Jason Hooten in the chest during a face-to-face conversation, leading to further arguing between the teams.
UTEP missed out on the Conference USA tournament after finishing 7-13 in conference play, while No. 7-seeded Jacksonville State will play No. 10 New Mexico State on Tuesday in the first round.