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SALT LAKE CITY — In an action taken to protect its players physically, the University of Utah is canceling its meeting with the Cougars on the basketball court next season.
Ironically the action taken to "protect" could have a negative effect on the future of the rivalry.
Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak explained his decision Wednesday, saying, "The level of emotions has escalated to the point where there is the potential for serious injury."
"This doesn't make any sense to me, at all," BYU coach Dave Rose said. "From my point of view, I don't think the safety of the players was at risk."
While there is no need to criticize Coach K for wanting to protect his players, I believe he does need to take a step back and evaluate the effect this action will have on the future of the rivalry.
At times tempers flare, but will a year off really change anything?
In fact could a year off do just the opposite and be fuel on the fire for tempers of fans and players in future meetings?
Some speculations have come up as far as how long this "hold" will last or the real reasons behind it, but it is still unclear what the rivalry has in store for the future.
For those who have grown up watching the two teams go head-to-head, the game has evolved into something more than just any ordinary game. It brings with it the thrill of competition, uncertainty — knowing that no lead is insurmountable and any game could come down to the final seconds — and of course, state bragging rights.
With the cancellation of next year's meeting, Coach K is robbing his fans and players this experience.
Reliving the history of the rivalry on the basketball court makes the news only more unfortunate.
BYU and Utah have met 257 times since 1909, and the record shows the intensity of the match-up. The Cougars are currently clinging to a 1 game series advantage, 129-128.
On Jan. 14, 1984, the Marriott Center crowd was rocking, as BYU's leading scorer Devin Durrant (27.9 ppg) led the Cougars in a double overtime shootout 113-105 (2OT) victory.
From 1983-1985 the two teams played in a total of eight overtime periods in just three games. Eight.
The Utes got revenge in SLC a few years later in 1988 with a Keith Chapman buzzer beater that knocked off the no. 2 ranked Cougars 62-60.
Backs up against the wall in 2002 the Utes had a 21 point second-half lead over the Cougars. This time, led by Travis Hansen and Matt Montague, the Cougars went on a 34-14 run to bring the game within 1. It was an Eric Nielsen jumper that gave the Cougars their first lead of the game and their 35th consecutive win in Provo.
A year later the Cougars, now touting a 44 game home-winning streak, faced off against the 13-4 Runnin' Utes. Travis Hansen, Mark Bigelow, and Rafael Araujo combined for 56 points, but it wasn't enough. Utah guard, Marc Jackson went 13-13 from the free throw line and helped seal a 79-75 victory over the Cougars.
Perhaps nothing compares to Jimmer mania. On the 11th day of January five years ago when Jimmer dropped 47 points against Utah in Salt Lake City, including this epic half-court shot to beat the first half buzzer.
Great games have always been accompanied by great talent, guys like Andre Miller, Danny Ainge, Andrew Bogut, Kresimir Cosic, Keith Van Horn, and more recently Delon Wright and Jimmer Freddette have all squared off in the Holy War.
Playing in these games is not only a fond memory for impact players, but a building block for resiliency and preparation for competition that comes in postseason tournaments.
Reliving the rivalries greatest moments makes us thirsty for more.
As sports fans we all love the unexpected, and the Holy War has always done its part in providing it.
Sadly, as for 2016-17 we won't be expecting any of these moments on the basketball court but asking, when the rivalry will continue. Cory is a third year student at Brigham Young University studying Communications and an emphasis in Public Relations. His favorite place in the world is Lavell Edwards Stadium and has been a loyal BYU fan his entire life.
