Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Gap fire grows to 21,000 acres, prompts mandatory evacuations ... Notifications sent following fishing license data breach ... Rollover at exit 30 on I-5 kills driver, injuries three small children ... Gap fire grows to 21,000 acres, prompts mandatory evacuations ... Notifications sent following fishing license data breach ... Rollover at exit 30 on I-5 kills driver, injuries three small children ... NCAA MEN Coach K apologizes for postgame chat with Brooks Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Mar. 27, 2016 at 2:00 AM By The Associated Press Posted Mar. 27, 2016 at 2:00 AM » Social News DURHAM, N.C. — Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski says he has apologized to Oregon coach Dana Altman for his postgame conversation with Dillon Brooks. In a statement issued Saturday , Krzyzewski said "it is not my place to talk to another team's player" and he hoped he "did not create a distraction" for the top-seeded Ducks. Oregon lost to Oklahoma 80-68 on Saturday night in the West Regional final of the NCAA Tournament. Brooks hit a long 3-pointer with the shot clock expiring in the final seconds of the Ducks' 82-68 victory over Duke on Thursday night. In the handshake line, Krzyzewski had a prolonged discussion with the Oregon guard — and video of it immediately went viral. In the statement, Krzyzewski said that chat "took the focus away from the terrific game that Dillon played." The Hall of Fame coach also apologized for responding "incorrectly to a reporter's question about my comment to Dillon." Brooks managed just seven points with three turnovers before fouling out against the Sooners, but the Canadian forward said the spotlight on his postgame conversation with Krzyzewski wasn't the reason. "I'm still the same player," Brooks said. "I'm just going to learn from this and rally for next season." Altman dismissed Krzyzewski's concerns after the Ducks' loss to Oklahoma. "He called and apologized, and I told him he didn't need to," Altman said. "Someone that has accomplished what he has accomplished and makes a comment to one of my players is perfectly fine with me, and it didn't bother me at all. It bothered a lot of people. It didn't bother me. It didn't bother Dillon, and Dillon's response proved that." In the locker room after Thursday's game, Brooks said that Krzyzewski told him "I'm too good of a player to be showing (off) at the end." In his ensuing news conference, Krzyzewski disputed Brooks' version of events and appeared angry when it was brought up. "I didn't say that," Krzyzewski said. "You can say whatever you want. Dillon Brooks is a hell of a player. I said, 'You're a terrific player.' And you can take whatever he said and go with it, all right?" A day later, Altman defended his leading scorer, saying Krzyzewski should have approached him — not Brooks — and that he gave the order to shoot because the shot clock was winding down. "I told Dillon to shoot it. So if anybody's got a problem with it, it should be directed at me," Altman said. "He was acting on my orders. I told him to shoot it. I didn't think he'd make it. It was a 30-footer, but there was a five-, six-second difference there." On Saturday , Krzyzewski expressed regret about the situation. "Clearly, the story that night was about Oregon advancing to the Elite Eight, and the outstanding game they played," he said. "I sincerely hope I did not create a distraction for coach Altman and his team at this critical time of year. Certainly, I have the utmost respect for the Oregon program and their tremendous accomplishments." By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Mar. 27, 2016 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501