GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The Atlantic Coast Conference reprimanded North Carolina coach Matt Doherty, Duke assistant Chris Collins and Blue Devils player Andre Buckner on Tuesday for their part in an on-court shoving match.

"While emotions can be at a high level during this time of the season, this kind of behavior is both regrettable and unacceptable,'' ACC commissioner John Swofford said.

With the scored tied 63-63 with 8:17 to play Sunday, Doherty and Collins began jawing at each other after play was stopped due to an injury to Tar Heels point guard Raymond Felton. Doherty, who walked onto the court to check on Felton, and Collins were standing chest to chest when reserve Buckner came off the bench and shoved Doherty.

Doherty went back at Buckner, and both teams began pushing and shoving as officials tried to restore order. The Tar Heels went on to upset the visiting Blue Devils 82-79.

Duke athletic director Joe Alleva and North Carolina counterpart Dick Baddour issued a joint statement Tuesday, saying the shoving match was one "we all regret.''

"Our two institutions and the Atlantic Coast Conference hold themselves to a high standard, and the incident that occurred Sunday fell short of those standards,'' the statement said. "The ACC is the finest conference in the country, and our goal is to represent it in a first-class manner.''