Both USC and Arizona were victorious in their Pac-10 quarterfinal games on Thursday at Staples Center. Playing in the afternoon session allowed the Trojans and Wildcats to have plenty of time off to enjoy the rest of their day. According to a report, USC coach Kevin O’Neill (pictured) and his wife did just that.
Arizona fan site Pointguardu.com reported late Thursday that O’Neill and his wife were drunkenly escorted away from their hotel after getting into verbal and physical altercations with Arizona fans. Taking it directly from their report:
O’Neill and his wife were in a hotel lobby and visibly intoxicated when they exchanged words with a group of Arizona fans. O’Neill reportedly threatened the fan that USC was going to “beat the hell out of Arizona.” Words were exchanged and our sources say that O’Neill’s wife struck one of the Arizona fans. O’Neill and his wife were escorted out of the hotel, and Arizona fans were left wondering what just happened.
The site insists their sources are extremely reliable, and the report has led to USC’s AD Pat Haden saying in a statement “We are looking into this and gathering facts. We will determine what appropriate action is necessary.” Arizona and USC will meet in the semifinals of the Pac-10 tournament on Friday at 6pm PT.
UPDATE: O’Neill has apologized for the incident “I used poor judgment at the team hotel last night and would like to apologize to my team, to my university and to the athletic department.”
UPDATE II: O’Neill has been suspended for the remainder of the Pac-10 tournament.
