Best College And Professional Basketball Meltdowns In Utah Sports History
Jan 16, 2024, 4:01 PM
(Silas Walker, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – From players to coaches and even fans, sports have a way of bringing out emotions in everyone involved.
These emotions can be positive or overwhelmingly negative. Here are the best basketball meltdowns in Utah Sports history.
Best Basketball Meltdowns In Utah Sports History
BYU’s Mark Pope Takes Out Frustration On A Water Bottle
Pope inspired this ranking with his reaction to a late call against Baylor.
The Cougars would go on to lose the game but nothing felt the loss more than a nearby water bottle.
RELATED: BYU’s Mark Pope Lets Out Frustration From Baylor Loss On Water Bottle
View this post on Instagram
Rudy Gobert Sends Water Bottle Flying
What is it with water bottles and flustered athletes?
After an offensive foul resulted in a trip to the bench, Gobert made his frustrations known as he wound up and slapped a water bottle.
That was fast.
Rudy Gobert was thrown out just under 3 minutes after clocking in. #HeGone (via @gifdsports) pic.twitter.com/qAXGEO8Ap0
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) December 7, 2018
Gobert was promptly ejected from the game after sending water all over the court.
Dave Rose Gets Too Hot For His Jacket
Another BYU basketball head coach tops the list but this time it is Dave Rose.
In the 2015 West Coast Conference Championship, a call from the officials made Rose rip off his jacket and slam it against the bench.
I was waiting for Dave Rose to toss the jacket tonight. The officiating in that game was…not good. That said Jock Landale is the best player in the WCC and it’s not close. St. Mary’s is a team that could make noise in March. BYU played well but still chasing the Gaels in WCC pic.twitter.com/wM64JoafSr
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JeremiahJensen) January 26, 2018
Rose got called for a technical and the Cougars went on to lose to No. 7 Gonzaga, 91-75.
Jazz Duo Get Bitter In The Bubble
Rudy Gobert makes another appearance and Donovan Mitchell joins him this time around.
Utah went up 3-1 over Denver in the first round before the Nuggets stormed back to win in seven.
After dropping game six, Gobert kicked a chair on his way to the locker room and Mitchell followed up by knocking over an exercise bike.
Gobert was HEATED 👀 pic.twitter.com/r8iAnrCDHH
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 31, 2020
Cravens Goes Crazy After Questionable Call
Was it a block or a charge?
In 2000, Weber State basketball head coach Joe Cravens did what looked like a choreographed dance after the official made a wrong signal for the call.
February 4, 2000: @WeberStateMBB head coach Joe Cravens invents the block/charge dance. What do you say, @RexChapman? Block or Charge? https://t.co/VjHq2mbYvI pic.twitter.com/AqyGUMuhCP
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JeremiahJensen) March 21, 2020
Jim Boylen Mean Mugs Ref In Rivalry Game
Instead of slapping water bottles or slamming his jacket, former Utah head coach Jim Boylen let his face do the talking.
He stared down the referee while clenching his face in anger as the Utes faced BYU in Provo.
Are you on Threads yet? Let’s connect, give us a follow @kslsports.
Chandler Holt is a co-host for the Jazz Notes podcast and a Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter @ChandlerHoltKSL or on Threads @chandlerho1t.