SALT LAKE CITY — Utah basketball head coach Larry Krystkowiak said Monday he stands by his decision to pause the rivalry between BYU and Utah, saying the pattern of physical play and lack of safety necessitates the "cooling off period."
"I need to remind everybody that I'm a basketball coach and my responsibility is the welfare of our basketball players and our basketball program. And that's always going to be first and foremost moving forward. I really respect this rivalry," Krystkowiak told media at his weekly press conference. "I also believe I would not be doing my job, in the description that is given to me for the well being of our players and program if I didn't have reason to pause in concern of the nature of some of the recent games.