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Utah dismisses best player before Thursday game against Arizona

by on Jan. 18, 2012, under Arizona basketball
Josh Watkins

Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak told point guard Josh Watkins to keep on walking. Douglas C. Pizac-US PRESSWIRE

The Arizona Wildcats won’t have to worry about playing against Utah point guard Josh Watkins — the Utes’ best player — on Thursday night. He was dismissed from the team Wednesday morning.

UA coach Sean Miller on Tuesday called Watkins a “very good point guard who means a lot to their team. … I don’t know if there’s another player that means more to their team’s success than him. When Utah plays well, he usually has a big night.”

Utah coach Larry Krystowiak dismissed Watkins for what he called a violation of team rules.

“The integrity of our program as a whole cannot be sacrificed for any individual,” Krystkowiak said in a story in the Salt Lake Tribune. “The well being of our program will always come first. This was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. I really wish Josh well and I hope he remains at Utah to finish his degree.”

Watkins, a 5-foot-11 senior, was averaging 15.6 points and 4.8 assists for the Utes, which has had numerous personnel losses in the transition to Krystowiak, the team’s a first-year head coach. Utah is 4-13 overall and 1-4 in the Pac-12.

Watkins scored 20 points and hit the winning jumper when Utah won its only Pac-12 game — 62-60 in overtime against visiting Washington State on Jan. 5.

Thursday night’s game begins at 6:30 p.m. from the Huntsman Center.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 at 10:58 am and is filed under Arizona basketball. Tags for this post: , . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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  • macjones

    The major college hoopdom DEITIES shine favorly on the Arizona Wildcat squad, with the TIMELY departure of Running Ute PG Watkins. Get outta’ here.

    So now, there’s abso-LUTE-ly no lame arse excuse for Miller’s unit NOT to come out ready to ball against a shameful Utah team.

    Because the only way the Trodding Ute’s stay in the game, is IF the Wildcats allow them to stay in the game. Eh.

    Bottom line is the PRESSURE is on Fogg, Perry and Hill to rally the squad and quit WUZZY FOOTING around on the hardwood. dUh.

    For if Arizona is not both physically and psychologically PREPARED come Thursday evening in beautiful SLC, Zona could be in another bloody NAIL-BITER. If you know what I mean.

    Nonetheless, I see an abso-LUTE FOCUSED Arizona squad defeating Utah by at least ten point or more. Say it ain’t so.  SEE the road game against U.S.C., for example.

  • macjones

    Former Trodding Ute PG Watkins was the type of baller whom probably would’ve SHAMED Turner and or Mayes. Well alright, he would have absolutely MOLESTED Mayes. Say it ain’t so. 

    But that’s neither here or there now. Because he’s been CHIT-CANNED by Coach Larry K. No not Super-K of Dorkie fame. dUh.

  • macjones

    Arizona has to put a stop to it’s silly turnover situation PRONTO!
    Because Colorado is one of the stronger overall defensive squads in the PAC-12. And Wildcat Wilbur shouldn’t be bloody well DECIEVED by Ralphie’s game against Stanford. Because that double-digit molestation was an ABBERATION. If you know what I mean.
    In other words, Colorado’s road game against Cal is a better measuring rod of Boyd’s squad. Or say, the Buffalo’s double-digit arse kicking of an OVERHYPED Washington team in Boulder. Eh.
    Again, after the Wildcat’s victory over Utah, Miller’s squad absolutely better come out ready to play. Because I can abso-LUTE-ly guarantee, that Miller’s team won’t come back, IF they happen to fall behind by double-digits against Colorado!!

  • macjones

    I can already see it happening. Because it’s going to be a nasty, defensive game in limpy liberal Boulder come Saturday afternoon and Colorado has a nasty post player to boot. Eh.
    And believe it or not Wildcat Wilbur, this Buffalo post player is one of the TOP rebounders in all of major college basketball. dUh.

  • Steeeeeve_Perry

    If we somehow manage to lose this game, we should just quit playing for the rest of the season.

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