U., Y. not alone in losing players

BRANDON DAVIES
Arizona State dismissed its leading basketball scorer over the weekend, which tangentially relates to both BYU and Utah.

The departure of Keala King for “unacceptable conduct” points out that there’s probably more principle than people think in college athletics. BYU drew widespread attention for dismissing Brandon Davies for honor code violations last spring. I don’t know what King did, but ASU coach Herb Sendek didn’t like it, so he sent him on his way.

His starting point guard.

Apparently BYU isn’t the only school willing to risk success in the name of principle.

The reason this relates to Utah is that the Utes aren’t the only team struggling with retaining players.

The Arizona Republic reports that King is the third of seven players from ASU’s 2010 recruiting class to leave the program. Eight players with remaining eligibility have left since 2008, leaving the Sun Devils with only six scholarship players.

Utah is considering holding open tryouts.

So two things seem to be going on at more than one university. First, coaches are drawing a line on player attitude and behavior. Athletes actually aren’t allow to do (or say) anything they want at every university. And second, athletes seem less likely than ever to stick out a rough situation. They just transfer. It has happened most noticeably throughout the Ray Giacolett, Jim Boylen and Larry Krystkowiak periods at Utah and happens other places, too.

Dismissals and transfers are making it tough for more than one coach.

LARRY KRYSTKOWIAK