When Utah and BYU are on the same athletic field, it’s usually a fierce and intense meeting. However, it’s that nature that is the reason behind the next men’s basketball game between the two schools being cancelled.
The two teams met in early December. During that contest, BYU’s Nick Emery was ejected for punching Utah’s Brandon Taylor. However, it’s not just the players Utah head coach Larry Krystkowiak is concerned for. He doesn’t want himself to get too carried away due to the emotions involved in the games.
“I’m not describing BYU as dirty players. I’m saying the nature of the rivalry kind of elevates everybody’s emotion,” said Krystkowiak on Monday, via ESPN. “There’s part of this that I’m actually protecting myself from myself. I almost got carried away this year when it took place. I don’t need to look foolish.”
While the most recent game is what’s fresh in everyone’s minds, Krystkowiak also noted a deterioration in behavior the past few years. For him, there was no other solution.
“Look at the pattern of behavior. What has changed? I never received an apology for anything,” he continued. “We have three straight years, and if you think I’m going to call and say, ‘Can you tone it down a little bit? Can we meet and have coffee?’ That’s not realistic. Not in my arena.”
Understandably, Krystkowiak has received his share of criticism for the decision to bring a halt to the series, although he does have the support of Utah athletic director Chris Hill and president David Pershing.
There was also to be a hiatus between the two schools for football for 2014 and 2015. However, that came to an end when BYU and Utah met in the Las Vegas Bowl last month, which Utah won 35-28. On the basketball court, the series has been played since 1944 with BYU having 129 victories. Utah has recorded 128 wins.
