Citadel men's basketball coach Duggar Baucom collapses during game at Duke, taken to hospital

DURHAM, N.C. — Citadel Bulldogs coach Duggar Baucom collapsed in the opening moments of Monday night's basketball game against Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium and was transported to Duke hospital for evaluation. 

The game was paused momentarily when Baucom, 61, fell to the floor as medical staff rushed to his aid. He was able to walk off under his own power but with the help of two paramedics

According to The Citadel school officials, Baucom, who has a history of heart issues and suffered a heart attack in 1990, "apparently passed out on the bench."

According to WCIV's Scott Eisenberg, Baucom was being worked on by paramedics in a back room next to the court before being taken to the hospital. His wife, Amber, and son, Travis, are with him.

Associate head coach Jack Castleberry took over on The Citadel's bench. Castleberry said after the game that Baucom "is as good as he can be. He's in good spirits."

"We talked and he was coherent the whole time," Castleberry said. "But he looked at me and you could see in his eyes he was in pain.”

"He's a good guy and I feel bad for him," Coach K said after Duke's 107-81 win over The Citadel. "But his team played their hearts out for him."

The Citadel released a statement early Tuesday morning that Baucom "is alert and in good spirits. He will remain at Duke University hospital overnight for further evaluation. He is scheduled to return back to Charleston with the team Tuesday morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with Coach B and his family at this time."

David Thompson is an award-winning reporter for the USA Today Network covering NC State and Duke athletics. He can be reached at dthompson1@gannett.com, at 828-231-1747, or on Twitter at @daveth89.