Alford expecting no discipline

In the weekly Mountain West Conference teleconference this morning, New Mexico coach Steve Alford said he expects the conference to take no disciplinary action against him, Lobo junior Darrington Hobson or BYU senior Jonathan Tavernari for late-game and post-game incidents Saturday in the Marriott Center.
“It’s not warranted,” Alford said when asked if he should be punished for his cursing of Tavernari in the post-game hand-shaking line, or if Tavernari should be punished for his behavior in the line, or if Hobson should be punished for an incident that occurred between he and Tavernari near midcourt in the final minute.
Alford called the incidences “heat of the moment” issues that happened because of the competitive nature of the game. He also said there’s a reason players and coaches are allowed a 10-minute cooling down period following games before addressing the media – something not afforded in immediate post-game gatherings.
“It’s because of emotions like this,” he said.
Shortly after Saturday’s game ended, BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe escorted Tavernari down to New Mexico’s locker room, where he apologized to Alford.
Alford said he’s apologized to BYU coach Dave Rose, and respects BYU’s program and Tavernari. Rose also seems to think the matter is resolved.
“It was something that probably should not have happened . . . but I think everything is good,” Rose said.
I’m keeping tabs on whether the Mountain West Conference takes any action today. If they do, they’ll issue a media advisory. If not, we won’t hear anything. Alford talked as if he has had no contact with anyone from the league offices, and acted like he’d be surprised if the league reprimanded any of the three.

How’s Jimmer? Well, he is sitting out practice on Monday.
I asked Rose the latest on Jimmer Fredette, who sat out the final 19 minutes of Saturday’s game with flu-like symptoms.
“He had just been really nauseated and had pains in his stomach,” Rose said of the decision to pull Fredette early in the second half.
Fredette had no appetite prior to Saturdays’ game. Rose said that Fredette was feeling a little better on Sunday night, but they’re still unsure of what type of illness he has. I’m no medical expert, and don’t know if someone with mono can have a relapse, but Rose seemed unsure of that possibilty as well. Rose said he’ll know more about Fredette’s diagnosis later today.
“I really feel bad for Jimmer. He’s had a tough season . . he’s had to deal with a lot,” Rose said.
BYU’s team trainer Rob Ramos is hoping to talk with San Diego State’s trainers today to see if Fredette’s symptoms are similar to those of Aztec freshman Kawhi Leonard. Right now they just think that Fredette caught a flu bug.
Rose said he benched Fredette after noticing his star was struggling with energy.
“Those are some of the hardest decisions you make as a coach.”
Had back-up Michael Loyd Jr., who had a career game with 19 second-half points, not been able to finish the game, or had fouled out, Fredette might have returned to the game because normal back-up Lamont Morgan Jr. is still out after having knee surgery three weeks ago.