RIO DE JANEIRO -- Nigerias sports minister apologized to the Olympic mens soccer team and took responsibility Monday for the travel chaos that resulted in players arriving on the same day as their first game in Rio de Janeiro.The team was delayed last week in Atlanta, with one official saying it was because they tried to buy plane tickets to Rio de Janeiro at the last minute and then found a charter plane was too small to carry the entire delegation.They eventually all made it onto a chartered Delta Air Lines jet, arriving in the northern Brazilian city of Manaus about six hours before their first game at the Olympics against Japan on Thursday. Despite the issues, Nigeria won that game 5-4, and then beat Sweden 1-0 on Sunday to become the first team into the quarterfinals.Sports minister Solomon Dalung took responsibility for what he called the unfortunate incident and said in a statement that he went into the teams dressing room after the Sweden game to apologize to players. He didnt give details on how the mess-up occurred.I want to assure you that we appreciate your efforts, and I want to say that its when a man faces challenges that his true ability is tested, Dalung said. I am sure we all have learnt our lessons and will take the lessons to heart going forward.Delta said a communications mix-up had grounded an earlier flight the team was meant to take, but there were reports that the problem was because the Nigerian government hadnt paid for the original charter.Nigerias soccer team is regularly beset by problems, often involving money.A dispute over bonus payments for players at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil led to them refusing to attend a training session and almost caused the Nigerian team to go on strike midway through the tournament. The team also arrived late for the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil -- a World Cup warmup tournament -- after problems over player payments.Nigeria and Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel recently denied reports that he gave $30,000 of his own money to some of his teammates on the Olympic team as an incentive. Replica Basketball Jerseys . A statement from the worlds top-ranked player says all checks "were satisfactory and showed positive evolution" regarding the injury, which contributed to his loss to Stanislas Wawrinka in the final in Melbourne. Basketball Jerseys Black Friday .875,000, avoiding arbitration. Clippards deal Monday means all eight Nationals players who filed for arbitration wound up settling before a hearing. https://www.fakebasketballjerseys.com/ . Aduriz headed home Markel Susaetas cross in the sixth minute to open the scoring at San Mames Stadium. 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LEXINGTON, Ky. -- After playing in the bright lights and hype of the Champions Classic at New Yorks Madison Square Garden, a big question will be how No. 2 Kentucky responds to more subdued environment.The Wildcats return home fresh off their impressive 69-48 rout of No. 13 Michigan State and they will get their answers Sunday night against Duquesne.Great question, Kentucky associate head coach Kenny Payne said Friday. But we dont have to worry about that. The way that we coach, the way that we prepare those kids know that after that game is over, we celebrate. Its over. On to the next.The issue is outside of this environment. The friends. The parents. Their families. Now, they might talk to them about, Man, you all are the real deal. But when they walk in this gym and they walk in our offices, they know its on to the next. So they have no time to relax and feel good about anything. Were trying to get better.Payne explained it is part of the regular process in playing at Kentucky where everyone else is always trying to fast-forward to an NCAA championship.Its in everything we do every single day, Payne said. Were trying to get better every day. Are we happy we beat Michigan State thats a really good team? Yes, we are. Did we play our best? Not even close. Not even close.The top concern for coaches is rebounding. Kentucky was out rebounded 44-40 by Michigan State and 36-28 by Stephen F. Austin. UK did top Canisius 39-36.I think one of the things that has been a little disappointing with our athleticism, energy and length is that we havent dominated teams on the glass thus far, Payne said. Dont see that as a long-term problem, but its something that we have to focus on and get better at.In Duquesne, the 3-0 Wildcats will face a team that is 2-2 on the young season.dddddddddddd The Dukes defeated Loyola Maryland 65-60 and Saint Francis 89-75 but lost to Penn State 82-74 and Canisius 78-77 on Friday.We just need maturity and more time together, Duquesne coach Jim Ferry said. The biggest issue we have is the schedule. Were basically playing every other day. So weve not had the practice time we really needed. Our practices have been our games (leading to) making decisions on the fly.Duquesne is trying to restart after losing its top three scorers to graduation. Sophomore guard Tarin Smith leads the way at 15.5 points per game followed by freshman forward Isiaha Mike at 12.0. Darius Lewis, a 6-11 senior post player from Lexington, Ky., is the top rebounder at 6.5.Kentucky is averaging 83 points per game and has three players scoring in double figures, all guards. Sophomore Isaiah Briscoe is tops at 19.7 points per game followed by freshman Malik Monk at 16.3 and DeAaron Fox at 15.0.Freshman Bam Adebayo and sophomore Isaac Humphries share the rebounding lead at 5.7 per game.Monk is coming off his best game with a team-best 23 points against Michigan State during which he made 7-of-11 from 3-point range. In fact, it was the best overall game by Kentucky to date. To fend off any letdown, coaches make sure players are competing against themselves.They dont really know, and theyre learning, Payne said. For every one of these kids in this program, other than Isaiah Briscoe, everybody is still learning who they are as a player. There have been times when they havent been in dog fights before. So, theyre getting a chance to see. ' ' '