’Noles OK with ‘shove’

TALLAHASSEE — Duke point guard Grayson Allen did not shove or maliciously hit Florida State assistant coach Dennis Gates Tuesday night, according to the Seminoles staff member’s Twitter post.

Gates posted a statement to his account on Wednesday morning, a day after the No. 9 Seminoles beat No. 7 Duke at home, to clarify the incident during which some on social media suggested Allen shoved Gates while chasing a loose ball and falling toward the FSU bench.

Gates’ statement was prefaced by a tweet that read, “I want to make this very clear! #Givegraysonabreak.”

The message attached to the tweet read: “I misread Grayson Allen’s speed the same way you all are misreading the clip. It was our lower body that made the most contact. The results from that impact is what put me on my back — not a shove.

“I did not in any way feel attacked nor disrespected as the media and others are portraying Grayson Allen’s character and hustle. … All I view it to be is, ‘A GREAT HUSTLE PLAY.’ ”

Gates also added “I know what a dirty play is, and I was not the victim of one.”

A Twitter user first stoked the controversy by sharing the clip of the play on social media.

Grayson had a rough night in FSU’s 88-72 victory, dealing with profanity-laced chants from the sellout FSU crowd.