Arkansas coach apologizes for incident after SDSU game in Maui

4 days later, Arkansas coach Eric Musselman has apologized for his program’s conduct following a 78-74 time beyond regulation victory towards San Diego State within the third-place sport on the Maui Invitational.

Musselman declined to debate the incident throughout his media availability Saturday. On Sunday, nevertheless, the college distributed a four-sentence assertion from him.

“We lately performed a extremely contested and emotional sport towards an distinctive San Diego State staff,” Musselman’s assertion mentioned. “Shortly after the sport, I and a few members of our program responded with adverse dialogue to a couple San Diego State followers. I wish to take this chance to apologize to the San Diego State neighborhood and particularly to go coach Brian Dutcher, his workers, their wonderful staff, and their enthusiastic followers for this post-game interplay.

“We extremely worth, admire and respect our participation within the 2022 Maui Traditional.”

Some SDSU followers berated Musselman as he labored by way of the postgame handshake line on the Lahaina Civic Heart, and the 58-year-old coach identified for his fiery sideline demeanor responded with an expletive-laced change and by flashing the “L” signal along with his fingers. Musselman additionally had a heated confrontation with SDSU senior guard Matt Bradley, who claimed the coach instructed him “to close up or get out of his face, one thing like that.”

After jawing at Bradley, Razorbacks ahead Trevon Brazile walked over to the Aztecs bench and taunted followers, a few of whom got here out of the stands and approached Arkansas gamers and coaches whereas they had been being escorted to the locker room. Police additionally eliminated an Arkansas fan from the doorway to SDSU’s locker room.

On Saturday, Dutcher mentioned: “Muss and I’ve been longtime associates. However I do know he’s an intense competitor, and no matter occurred after the sport might be not in the most effective pursuits of anyone. I feel he most likely realizes that. I run San Diego State’s program, and I’m in control of how we reply to issues. He’s been doing this a very long time, and he’ll reply a matter the place he feels is in the most effective curiosity for himself and his program.”

As a result of it was not a convention or NCAA Match sport, there is no such thing as a governing physique to analyze and, if vital, difficulty sanctions. That leaves it to the person faculties.

Musselman was concerned in an analogous incident at Utah State in 2019 whereas he was teaching Nevada. The Mountain West investigated and blamed “inappropriate conduct by people from each applications within the post-game handshake line.”

Arkansas subsequent performs Monday at house towards Troy. SDSU hosts UC Irvine on Tuesday night time.