Gamecocks coach Martin doubles down on attendance, then engages fans on Twitter
South Carolina basketball coach Frank Martin continued to target Gamecocks men’s basketball fan support on Saturday following his team’s 80-78 win over Coastal Carolina, then took to Twitter to engage more fans on the topic.
Martin said in about a two-minute mini-rant in the press conference following the game at Colonial Life Arena that he doesn’t believe he’s being critical of USC fans.
He’d just like to see more people who have purchased tickets attend games to help the team, particularly the 9,000 or so season ticket holders.
That followed Martin’s comment last Saturday following a win over Massachusetts: “There must have been some kind of a golf tournament or an evaluation of seventh-round offensive linemen or something in town because obviously our fans decided that showing up here today wasn’t that important. But I can’t worry about fans. I’ve got to get my team right.”
Shortly after Saturday’s press conference, Martin was responding to several fans on Twitter. An early exchange started with a fan Tweeting: “It's hard for fans to drive and pay to see mediocre talent and boring games. I would rather cheer from a far. Make us fans want to spend money to see your games.”
Martin responded: “Hey Stephanie if u don’t like basketball, Fine. Think I’m a bad coach, Fine. Don’t like me, Fine. However, don’t ever put my players down away. We r 8-2 off of a Final 4 without u. We r good without your support. Appreciate u.”
My skin is thick enough. U r the one that made comments to me and now seem a little sensitive. I’m good hope u r too https://t.co/aB9Ly1r9eW
— Frank Martin (@FrankMartin_SC) December 9, 2017
Martin’s exchanges with several other fans continued from there.
Hey Stephanie if u don’t like basketball, Fine. Think I’m a bad coach, Fine. Don’t like me, Fine. However, don’t ever put my players down away. We r 8-2 off of a Final 4 without u. We r good without your support.
— Frank Martin (@FrankMartin_SC) December 9, 2017
Appreciate u https://t.co/hQOHjlyGN3
Some examples:
Martin ended the night by expressing the fun he had.
Gamecock Nation Iva had some fun on here tonite. It was awesome to feel the powerful love of so many. U guys mean the world to us. I also enjoyed aggravating the 2 or 3 people full of negativity
— Frank Martin (@FrankMartin_SC) December 10, 2017
Alan Blondin: 843-626-0284, @alanblondin
This story was originally published December 9, 2017 at 6:48 PM with the headline "Gamecocks coach Martin doubles down on attendance, then engages fans on Twitter."