Mike Krzyzewski still won't admit he lied.

Admittedly, it's a hard admission to make, which is why the Duke basketball coach should've been up front in the first place.

Coach K Lies About Postgame Interaction With Oregon Star Dillon Brooks

Coach K released a statement through the Duke athletic department apologizing to Oregon coach Dana Altman following the Ducks' 82-68 victory over the Blue Devils in the Sweet Sixteen, USA Today Sports Reported.

"Today, I spoke with Oregon head coach Dana Altman and apologized to him for my remarks to Dillon Brooks following our game,'' Krzyzewski said. "It is not my place to talk to another team's player and doing so took the focus away from the terrific game that Dillon played.

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"In the postgame press conference, I reacted incorrectly to a reporter's question about my comment to Dillon. Clearly, the story that night was about Oregon advancing to the Elite Eight, and the outstanding game they played. I sincerely hope I did not create a distraction for Coach Altman and his team at this critical time of year. Certainly, I have the utmost respect for the Oregon program and their tremendous accomplishments."

Krzyzewski didn't simply react "incorrectly." That's what happens when you're taking a test and miss the question. Also, using the verb "react" also removes responsibility from him because he is using the term as if it were a reflex, which is involuntary.

He lied about what he had said.

Had Coach K said simply, "I was caught up in the moment and said something that was not my place. ..." he would've diffused the situation.

The coach's apology was the right thing to do because his denial of what Oregon's Dillon Brooks said did cause a distraction to the Ducks and Altman. Krzyzewski deserves to be acknowledged for that.

But if Krzyzewski can't come out and admit he was wrong not to tell the truth, then it's easier to see why his program can be so polarizing and some of his players also incur public rebuke for their actions.

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