Kyle Filipowski kicked up the Duke vs. UNC rivalry a notch, literally, when he tripped Tar Heels forward Harrison Ingram Saturday.
Filipowski's trip occurred with about six minutes remaining in the first half of the Blue Devils vs. Tar Heels rivalry-weekend matchup. The 7-footer was on the ground and appeared to kick his leg up as Ingram passed, bringing the 6-7 wing to the ground.
The officials did not call a foul on the play, much to the chagrin of UNC coach Hubert Davis. Ingram was equally upset and explained after the game that he believed Filipowski tripped him on purpose.
"I thought he did," Ingram said, per ESPN. "I'm not sure if it was a basketball play or not."
Filipowski denied after the game that his trip was intentional. Even so, that wasn't enough for him to avoid drawing comparisons to former Duke star Grayson Allen, who infamously was suspended indefinitely after multiple tripping incidents while with the Blue Devils.
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Kyle Filipowski trip video
Filipowski's trip occurred shortly after he became tangled with Ingram while defending a shot late in the first half.
Filipowski fell to the ground defending the shot and tried to get up. Ingram attempted to pass the Duke star by hopping over his legs to get involved in the play upcourt.
Filipowski swung his leg back just as Ingram was passing him, which caused the UNC wing to stumble and eventually fall to the ground, as seen below.
Grayson? Is that you?
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) March 10, 2024
Kyle Filipowski trips Harrison Ingram. pic.twitter.com/FeeehdkiH8
The play immediately drew the scrutiny of basketball fans everywhere, but Filipowski insisted that he did not purposely take down his opponent.
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Kyle Filipowski denies purposely tripping Harrison Ingram
Filipowski was asked about tripping Ingram after Duke's 84-79 loss to UNC. The 7-foot center explained that his "foot slipped," causing his takedown of Ingram.
"I'm not really too sure how that whole situation happened, to be honest," Filipowski said of the tripping incident, per ESPN. "I was really just getting up. My foot slipped. I don't know how I caught him. That's really all I've got."
Filipowski further explained that he didn't see Ingram was still behind him on the play.
"I didn't even know he was back with me," Filipowski explained. "I thought I was the only one left [in the backcourt], but that's pretty much all I can remember."
That assessment won't win Filipowski much love in the court of public opinion, especially considering that he appeared to glance back as he got up from his fall. But the Blue Devils star avoided a whistle, so the play had little impact on Duke's defeat.
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Now, the only question is whether Filipowski's actions will result in additional discipline that could keep him off the floor in the ACC Tournament.