SPORTS

Mike Krzyzewski: Suspended Grayson Allen no longer a captain

Scott Gleeson
USA TODAY Sports

Following Duke's 89-75 upset loss to Virginia Tech, coach Mike Krzyzewski didn't reveal any update on suspended guard Grayson Allen's status. But he did say Allen, in street clothes for Saturday's game in Blacksburg, Va., could be partially blamed for the loss and that the preseason All-American had been stripped of his duties as a captain for the Blue Devils based on the actions that got him suspended.

Duke Blue Devils guard Grayson Allen looks on prior to the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Cassell Coliseum.

“Right now, I don’t want to talk about Grayson,” Krzyzewski told news reporters. “He was part of the loss today by not being there. Instead of tri-captains, we’ve eliminated him from being a captain of the team. Only Amile (Jefferson) and Matt (Jones) are doing that. It’s unfortunate for any team to have interruptions. Sometimes you have no control of them, like an injury or sickness. Then sometimes something like this happens. We’ve had a lot of interruptions. We have to stop having interruptions.”

Virginia Tech knocks off No. 5 Duke in ACC opener

Allen has been indefinitely suspended since Duke's 72-61 victory against Elon (Dec. 21) for tripping Steven Santa Ana. It was the third time Allen had tripped a player, dating back to last season.

"We've played without a lot of people throughout the year. You'd rather have your full complement of players. That's not an excuse," Krzyzewski said. "(Allen) should be on the floor if he does the right things, and he didn't do the right thing, so he wasn't on the floor. That's the way it is."

Duke faces Georgia Tech and Boston College at home next week.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL HIGHLIGHTS