Coach K skips handshake line

Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski, pictured coaching against Syracuse on Monday night, skipped part of the handshake line after Syracuse's 64-62 win over Duke. Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim explained why in a local radio interview.

(Stephen D. Cannerelli)

Syracuse, N.Y. — So why did Duke men's basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski skip part of the handshake line at the end of Syracuse's 64-62 win over the Blue Devils?

According to Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim, it wasn't to chase down a referee as many have suspected.

Krzyzewski made it clear that he was upset with a non-call on Syracuse at the end of Monday night's game.

According to Boeheim, Krzyzewski was upset about something at that moment, but not with the officials.

"I was listening to the radio this morning coming home and people were saying he was looking for the referees," Boeheim said as part of an interview set to air on ESPN Radio Syracuse Tuesday afternoon. "He wasn't looking for the referees after the game, they were gone. They were long gone. "

"He came down the handshake line, somebody told me from who was sitting there, that he was upset with some Duke students who were yelling at our players," Boeheim said. "He was looking at them. The referees were long gone at that time. I heard people on radio today talking about how he was looking at them, but that's not the case, from what I understand. He wouldn't do that. He doesn't like Duke students yelling at players. He's very tough about that. He's as classy as any coach. "

Boeheim added that he didn't see the incident, but was told Coach K's account from someone who witnessed it.

Krzyzewski was clearly miffed in postgame comments about a play where Syracuse guard Malachi Richardson bumped into Duke's Matt Jones chasing down a loose ball with 2.1 seconds remaining.

"The last play is amazing,'' Krzyzewski said. "Have you seen it? Go see it. It is literally amazing. The play with Matt Jones at the foul line. It is amazing basketball. Let's just put it that way.''

What did Boeheim think of the play in question?

"It's tough when you lose at the end," Boeheim said. "I thought Malachi made a good play on the ball. They usually aren't going to call that in that situation. Whoever gets out of there with the ball gets out of there with the ball and Malachi got in there and got out of there. It was a good play."

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