It is a rare occasion that the University of North Carolina men’s basketball team loses by 15 points, or 20 points, or, in this case, 33 points.

A team filled with multiple national championships from years past and numerous collegiate players who have moved on to successful careers in the NBA, it was probably a shock to all who tuned in last Monday night to see them get annihilated by the Florida State Seminoles. What turned out to be an even bigger surprise, however, was Roy Williams’ inability to lead five of his players off the court at the end of the game before the Florida State fans rushed it.

ExtremeSkins.com reports from ESPN that while making the precautious choice to flee the area with his benched players twelve seconds before the game ended, Williams neglected to remember the five remaining, leaving them to dig their way out against the raging students quickly approaching like fire.

What does it say, however, about Williams? It appears that when down 33 points to a team the Tarheels should beat, he forgoes the safety of his players coming off the bench. That is not to say he purposely put them in danger, but it is remarkably obvious that he cares deeply for the safety of his starters and even those who come off the bench but record more points.

You have to feel bad for the remaining five; after being utterly humiliated through a loss of 33 points and being the ones left on the court to face the embarrassment, they also have to deal with rejection from their very own coach who put them on the team. On small athletic teams, such as basketball, there will inevitably be the favorites, the elites, the “chosen ones.” But in Williams’ case, if you are going to completely disregard the others and show them no compassion, why take them under your wing anyway? Watching the clip was like watching a pack of abandoned puppies pushed out of their home and into the street; the players were left to fend for themselves among a sea of untamed college students ready to show them no mercy.

It is one thing for Williams to keep them on the bench most of their college basketball career, but to leave them to face the shame that they had not even caused in the first place is despicable. Williams has since apologized, but that is not to say an incident like this will not happen again, especially for other college basketball teams trying to uphold their prestigious athletic traditions.

Photo courtesy of Phil Sears/U.S. Presswire