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What did Mike Krzyzewski say to Oregon's Dillon Brooks after Sweet 16 loss?

 

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The outcome of the Duke-Oregon basketball game was irrefutable — the Blue Devils lost to the Ducks 82-68 in the Sweet 16 on Thursday — but what took place moments after remains in dispute.

 

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The outcome of the Duke-Oregon basketball game was irrefutable — the Blue Devils lost to the Ducks 82-68 in the Sweet 16 on Thursday — but what took place moments after remains in dispute.

Dillon Brooks, who led Oregon with 22 points, said Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski chastised him after Oregon’s on-court celebration at the Honda Center.

"He just told me that I’m too good of a player to be showing out at the end," Brooks said after the game. "And he’s right. I’ve got to respect Duke."

But at a postgame news conference, Krzyzewski offered his own account of what happened.

"Yeah, I just congratulated him," Krzyzewski said. "... I said, 'You’re a terrific player.' "

But Duke’s coach appeared to say something to Brooks in the first half when Brooks made a three-pointer in front of Duke’s bench. After the basket, Brooks turned toward the Blue Devils while celebrating.

In the final seconds, with Duke having pulled back on defense in an act of surrender, Brooks took a long three-pointer. He sank it with seven seconds to play (and the shot clock running out), and Duke’s Grayson Allen turned his head when Brooks extended his right hand in congratulations.

If that final shot is at issue, Oregon coach Dana Altman said, he instructed Brooks to take the shot. The differential between the game clock and shot clock would have led to a turnover unless Oregon attempted a shot, Altman explained.

Asked about Brooks’ account of the exchange with Krzyzewski, Altman suggested the issue was Brooks’ on-court behavior, saying, "Well, we don’t want our players talking, ever, so I’m not sure what he said or whatever. But we definitely don’t want Dillon talking, just playing."

Brooks didn’t sound clear about Kyrzewski was upset about but thought it was Brooks’ celebration after the game.

"I was happy, my teammates were happy," he said. "It’s not ignorant, it’s not cocky, it’s just me being happy to get past Duke and on to the Elite Eight."

After the game, Brooks appeared to apologize to Krzyzewski in the postgame handshake line.

"I’ve got to respect Duke," he said later. "I’ve got to respect them. And you’ve got to learn from those things. He’s one of the greatest coaches. He coaches one of the greatest players.

"I've always got to keep that in mind. But at the same time that’s my fire, that’s my passion, and you know that’s what got me here today. So I’m gonna take in what he said, but I’m gonna keep doing me."

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SWEET 16

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