Utah backs out of basketball game with BYU in 2016-17

The Holy War took a brief recess in the football series and now it looks like the basketball game will experience the same.

By way of a press release, BYU announced Utah basketball coach Larry Krystowiak informed Dave Rose that Utah will not play in the game that is scheduled for the 2016-17 season. The two schools have played a totals of 257 games against each other with BYU leading the series 129-128.

In the press release Dave Rose emphasized his displeasure with the cancellation of the game.

"I disagree with the decision," Rose said. "I know our students, our players, our fans and college basketball fans in the intermountain area want to see this long-standing rivalry continue."

The release also noted the longstanding natures of the rivalry game, one that is tied for seventh longest in college basketball history with games being played as far back as 1909. The last meeting between the two teams featured Nick Emery being ejected for punching Utah guard Brandon Taylor.