Official Ted Valentine apologizes to Joel Berry II ahead of UNC's Saturday win

North Carolina guard Joel Berry II said that official Ted Valentine apologized to him before the Tar Heels' 80-66 win Saturday over Georgia Tech.

The apology stems from an incidenton Jan. 3, when Valentine turned his back on Berry while the guard attempted to discuss a non-call with the official during a loss to Florida State.

Valentine was removed from two Big Ten games that he'd been scheduled to work as a result and even briefly mulled retirementbefore returning to work.

Berry and Valentine talked briefly, with both smiling as they gave each other a brief embrace.

Berry said Valentine "made sure that there was nothing wrong between us, and I told him it was all good.''

Berry told reporters that he didn't think it was a big deal, but appreciated Valentine's apology.

"You can have a learning experience at any age," Berry said.