News-Record.com

The more Mike Krzyzewski wins, the more heat he seems to take for ref abuse, or at the least, "working the refs." Gregg Doyel of cbs.sportsline.com went over the top in his criticism of K a few week ago. (Sorry, the link is no longer up. But, trust me, he was rough). Last week, Rob Daniels gave us Coach K's top 5 reasons why this reputation is ill-founded.

But they keep asking him. Here's what Krzyzewski had to say on Monday's ACC teleconference (sorry I'm late posting it, I was really busy yesterday):

"I never look at talking to a referee as 'working a ref.' What I'm trying to do is find out why something is being done or trying to explain your situation. It's not a matter of working; it's a matter of explanation. I don't think a ref -- a really good official, which is what we have and are going to have in the NCAA tournament -– can be worked. That’s just not part of it."

So the occasional expletive is thrown in. Having heard Gary Williams and others on the sideline, I've always considered that criticism overrated. But what about the "double standard"? When he was new to the ACC, K did of course accuse officials of having one of those for Dean Smith vs. other coaches.

"The night I said it, there was one as far as technical fouls were concerned. ... I was angry, I said it and I'll live with that. And I’m fine with it."

Happy 75th to Dean, by the way.