N. Mexico coach reprimanded for exchange

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The Mountain West Conference reprimanded New Mexico coach Steve Alford on Monday over his heated exchange of words with BYU forward Jonathan Tavernari, despite the coach’s insistence it was just a byproduct of a hard-fought game.

In a video posted on YouTube, Alford can be heard directing a vulgarity at Tavernari while the teams shook hands after New Mexico’s 83-81 victory last weekend in Provo, Utah.

The Mountain West issued a statement late Monday, saying Alford had violated the league’s sportsmanship rule and warranted a public reprimand “for his unduly provocative language toward an opposing student athlete” after the game.

Alford attributed it to the emotions of the moment and said he called BYU coach Dave Rose to apologize.

“It happened in a competitive nature,” Alford said. “I don’t think there’s any harm done.”

Alford said he was trying to congratulate Tavernari, a senior.