Oklahoma State guard Marcus Smart has developed a bit of a reputation as a flopper and hothead this year that has knocked his draft stock down a peg from last season. Saturday night was a much bigger blight on his college resume though, after he shoved a Texas Tech fan during a frustrating fourth straight loss.
After sprinting down the court late in the game and making a spectacular block he crashed into a row of cameramen. As he laid there a Texas Tech fan can be seen yelling something in Smart's direction, prompting him to rise up and shove the older man before being restrained by referees and teammates.
Smart only received a technical foul and was not ejected, but he was pulled out of the game for good. "I didn't see it yet. I want to make sure I see it and see what happened," Oklahoma State coach Travis Ford said after the game. "I'm still trying to figure it out."
The fan he pushed is Jeff Orr, a "super fan" who has been highlighted by the university in the past for his zealous attitude during games. Before the shove Orr can be clearly seen muttering some kind of apology to Smart, and later on text messages and tweets have him admitting to crossing some sort of boundary.
ESPN's Doug Gottlieb tweeted that Orr had texted a mutual friend, "I kinda let my mouth say something I shouldn't have. I feel bad." In another text Orr claimed he didn't say anything "vulgar," nor did he use the N-word. However, reports have it that Smart believes he heard Orr call him the N-word.
Jeff Orr to a #TexasTech friend of mine via text "I kinda let my mouth say something I shouldn't have,I feel bad" #MarcusSmart
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) February 9, 2014
Text convo from my Tech friend w/Orr- Orr is Tech's biggest fan-everyone knows him, he goes to every game pic.twitter.com/1ZlN6gAdz3 — Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) February 9, 2014
"wasn't vulgar or the N Word" another text from Orr - #MarcusSmart
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) February 9, 2014
Former Oklahoma State guard John Lucas III, currently in the NBA tweeted about Orr as well. "I just saw the video that same fan was at the games talking crazy even when I was in school I don't forget a face he says a lot of crazy ish." Lucas had a follow up tweet that read, "Out of his mouth when u are in the game. And he is a grown man talking to kids the way he does."
I just saw the video that same fan was at the games talking crazy even when I was in school I don't forget a face he says a lot of crazy ish — John Lucas III (@Luke1luk) February 9, 2014
Out of his mouth when u are in the game. And he is a grown man talking to kids the way he does
— John Lucas III (@Luke1luk) February 9, 2014
ESPN analyst Dick Vitale also criticized the man on Twitter writing, Guy involved in the Smart situation is NOT a fan as HE IS Classless .Saw u tube of him in game vs A&M-still Smart can 't use his hands!"
Guy involved in the Smart situation is NOT a fan as HE IS Classless .Saw u tube of him in game vs A&M-still Smart can 't use his hands ! — Dick Vitale (@DickieV) February 9, 2014
Orr was also captured making an obscene gesture several years ago during a Texas A&M game, so this isn't his first time garnering negative attention.
There is no word yet on punishment for Smart, but a suspension seems like it might be on the table. There is also no word yet on whether Texas Tech will take action against Orr, as this is not the first incident involving his conduct.
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