Duke University basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski apologized to Oregon coach Dana Altman for his postgame conversation with Dillon Brooks. In a statement issued Saturday, Krzyzewski said ‘‘it is not my place to talk to another team’s player’’ and he hoped he ‘‘did not create a distraction’’ for the top-seeded Ducks. Brooks hit a long 3-pointer with the shot clock expiring in the final seconds of the Ducks’ 82-68 victory over Duke Thursday night. In the handshake line, Krzyzewski had a prolonged discussion with the Oregon guard — and video of it immediately went viral. Brooks said in the locker room after the game that Krzyzewski told him ‘‘I'm too good of a player to be showing [off] at the end.’’ Krzyzewski initially denied making the statement . . . A libel lawsuit brought against ESPN by Laurie Fine, wife of former Syracuse University assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine, was thrown out by a judge who found no actual malice occurred as the sports network reported claims that two team ball boys were sexually abused decades ago by the coach and that the wife had a sexual relationship with one of them. US Magistrate Judge David E. Peebles in Syracuse, N.Y., rejected Laurie Fine’s claims after concluding she was a public figure after serving as a radio personality and inviting public attention to herself and her views about protecting at-risk youth.
Baseball
Brewers’ Smith hurt taking off spikes
Milwaukee Brewers reliever Will Smith tore a ligament in his right knee while taking off his spikes after a game Thursday and will miss “significant time,’’ said manager Craig Counsell. Smith is awaiting test results to determine if surgery is necessary. Smith said he was getting ready to shower after pitching and was standing on one leg to take off his other shoe when he lost his balance and twisted the knee . . . Edinson Volquez will start in the Royals’ opener April 3 against the Mets in a rematch of the World Series Game 5, manager Ned Yost announced. Matt Harvey, who started the final game of the World Series against Volquez, will be the Mets’ starter at Kauffman Stadium . . . Indians manager Terry Francona said reliever Joba Chamberlain made the team as a non-roster invitee. In eight innings this spring, the righthander gave up seven hits and three runs. He walked five and struck out seven and has an ERA of 3.38 . . . The Reds and veteran righthander Ross Ohlendorf agreed to a one-year, $800,000 major league contract laden with incentives.
Horse racing
‘Chrome’ captures Dubai World Cup
California Chrome, ridden by Victor Espinoza, soared to a 5-length victory in the $10 million Dubai World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, the world’s richest horse race. The winner of the 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness covered the approximately 1¼ miles in 2 minutes 1.83 seconds . . . Gun Runner punched his ticket for the Kentucky Derby, pulling away for a commanding victory in the Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. The Steve Asmussen-trained Gun Runner was the 7-2 third-choice behind local favorite Mo Tom and Champagne Stakes winner Greenpointcrusader. Gun Runner paid $9.80, $5.40, and $3.60.
Tennis
Overcome by heat, Nadal withdraws
Rafael Nadal faded in the subtropical heat and retired after falling behind in the third set of his opening match at the Miami Open against Damir Dzumhur in Key Biscayne, Fla. The fifth-seeded Nadal trailed, 2-6, 6-4, 3-0, when he called it quits after losing a point to fall behind, 30-15. The match lasted less than two hours, with a temperature approaching 90 degrees and even higher on the stadium hardcourt. On the women’s side, Serena Williams earned her 20th consecutive victory at the tournament and reached the fourth round by beating Zarina Diyas, 7-5, 6-3.
Miscellany
US soccer in near must-win Tuesday
Coach Jurgen Klinsmann made puzzling lineup choices and the United States national soccer team’s defense self-destructed Friday night in a 2-0 loss to Guatemala in Guatemala City in a World Cup qualifier. The Americans forced themselves into what basically amounts to a must-win situation when the teams meet again Tuesday in Columbus, Ohio. Trinidad and Tobago (2-1) leads Group C with 7 points after rallying for a 3-2 win at St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Guatemala (2-0-1) is 1 point back. The United States (1-1-1) has 4 points and St. Vincent (0-3) is last. In September, the Americans play at St. Vincent and host Trinidad to complete the regional semifinals. The top two teams advance to the six-nation regional finals . . . In Major League Soccer action, Michael Barrios scored his first two goals of the season to help FC Dallas shut out host D.C. United, 3-0 . . . Geoffrey Kamworor of Kenya fell on the starting line of the world half marathon championships in Cardiff, Wales, but got back up to successfully defend his title in record time. Compatriot Bedan Karoki finished second, with Mo Farah of Britain third. Kamworor set a championship record of 59:10, despite bruised and bloodied knees from his fall . . . Kell Brook kept his International Boxing Federation welterweight title and remained unbeaten by stopping Canadian challenger Kevin Bizier in the second round in Sheffield, England . . . The New York Jets signed cornerback Darryl Morris to a one-year contract, adding depth to their secondary and special teams . . . The Atlanta Falcons agreed to terms with former Baltimore Raven outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw.
