ESPN’s Jay Williams Rips ‘Spoiled’ Grasyon Allen After Duke Guard Trips Elon Player

ESPN’s analysts heavily criticized Grayson Allen after the junior Duke guard blatantly tripped an opponent during the Blue Devils’ game against Elon on Wednesday.

ESPN’s Jay Williams Rips ‘Spoiled’ Grasyon Allen After Duke Guard Trips Elon Player

Late in the first half, Allen tripped Elon Phoenix guard Steven Santa Ana on the right baseline, leading the All-American Duke star to be called for a technical foul. Allen clearly wasn’t happened, and threw a tantrum on the sideline shortly afterwards.

Allen tripped two ACC opponents last season and was reprimanded by the league.

Speaking at halftime of the Louisville-Kentucky game, the ESPN college basketball trio of Rece Davis, Jay Williams and Seth Greenberg called for Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski to take action against Allen for his trip. Williams, a former Duke star, lambasted Allen the hardest, demanding a five-game suspension for the guard.

“Enough already,” said Williams. “I’m disappointed that (Allen) even played in the second half. He should be suspended for five games. The ACC should take immediate action. But I hope that Coach K would take action before the ACC. Because (Allen’s) a junior. No more gifts. We’re done with that. He deserves to sit. He’s showing who his character is, and that’s unfortunate.”

Greenberg, a former Virginia Tech coach, said Krzyzewski– nicknamed ‘Coach K’– needs to “make a statement” and suspend Allen.

Davis compared Allen’s behavior to that of an angry child.

“He acts like a petulant toddler that can’t control his emotions when he gets angry,” said Davis.

Williams slammed the guard in a similar way, calling him a “spoiled child” who should have shown “remorse” for his actions and apologized to Santa Ana.

If he is suspended by the league, Allen will miss Duke’s Dec. 31 ACC opener at Virginia Tech.

Allen was tearful in the locker room after the game.

“I made a really bad play. I’m sorry to Santa Ana, sorry to the officials who have to call that, sorry to the team because it’s selfish and taking away from them,” he said. “I’m not proud of it at all.”

Krzyzewski also commented on the incident, which sparked an Elon 11-2 run to end the first half.

“What Grayson did was unacceptable, but I thought our whole team lost their composure,” Krzyzewski said. “Grayson apologized [to Santa Ana], and he should. That’s not something you should do, and he got punished. Turned the game around.”

The coach also discussed public criticism and potential disciplinary action.

“I handle things the way I handle them, and I think I’ve handled this correctly… I don’t need to satisfy what other people think that I should do. I’m a teacher and a coach and I’m responsible for that kid,” Krzyzewski said post-game. “What he did tonight was right. That’s what people do. They say they’re sorry. They accept responsibility. Anybody else that wants to take shots about Duke or me or whatever, go for it, because that’s territory that I’m comfortable with.”

LOUISVILLE, KY – FEBRUARY 20:  Grayson Allen #3 of the Duke Blue Devils dribbles the ball during the game against the Louisville Cardinals at KFC YUM! Center on February 20, 2016 in Louisville, Kentucky.  (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)