Allen suspended for latest tripping incident
Krzyzewski says his actions ‘do not meet standards’ at Duke
Grayson Allen’s latest antics may have once again tripped up No. 5 Duke.
The Blue Devils have had a full roster for about three days this season. And after Allen tripped yet another opponent, it’s not clear when they’ll have a complete lineup again.
Allen was suspended indefinitely from the team Thursday after the preseason AP All-American tripped an Elon player — the third time he has been involved in a tripping incident this calendar year.
Coach Mike Krzyzewski explained the suspension in a brief statement, saying the program “needed to take further steps regarding his actions that do not meet the standards of Duke basketball.”
Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner John Swofford supports the move, saying in his own statement that sportsmanship is “one of the core values of our league” and that the suspension “demonstrates adherence to this important principle.”
The growing concern is that Allen continues to repeat what the school and conference deems unacceptable behavior.
Allen tripped opposing players from Louisville and Florida State last winter.
Allen is competitive player, and ESPN analyst and former Wake Forest coach Dino Gaudio wonders if the tripping incidents are reactionary, but notes the behavior has to stop.
“I really think the kid is genuinely sorry for what he did and he’s disappointed in himself,” Gaudio said. “I think it’s almost, when (Allen) gets frustrated, that’s the way he reacts — he lashes out like that with tripping, and maybe Mike completely gets his attention and breaks him of it. … Hopefully this stops it in the short term.”
Krzyzewski has not decided whether Allen will practice during his suspension or how long it will last.
Duke doesn’t play again until Dec. 31, when the Blue Devils visit Virginia Tech (10-1) in their ACC opener. After that are home games against two lower-tier ACC teams — Georgia Tech on Jan. 4, Boston College three days later — before a trip to No. 21 Florida State on Jan. 10.
“It’s not like you give a suspension and it’s all over,” Krzyzewski said Thursday on “The Dan Patrick Show.” ”It’s a learning experience, and I’m going to use it as that and as a teaching moment. A teaching moment does not stop by giving one game. Maybe that’s what it is. I don’t know that right now.
“Maybe it’s three (games), maybe it’s two weeks, but he won’t play until I feel good about the entire situation where he is at.”