MWC reprimands U., Y.

Three Utah players and one BYU player have been issued public reprimands by the Mountain West Conference for their actions in last Saturday's Utah-BYU basketball game.

The Utes' Andrew Bogut, Marc Jackson and Richard Chaney and BYU's Austin Ainge each received a reprimand, which is more or less a warning to be on their best behavior the rest of the season.

Earlier this season, BYU freshman Chris Miles received a reprimand from the league for kicking Bogut in the back during the Utah-BYU game in Provo.

MWC commissioner Craig Thompson issued the following statement about the latest reprimands.

"The entire tone of last Saturday's BYU at Utah men's basketball contest was counter to the sportsmanship philosophy of the MWC and the healthy competitive environment it is designed to foster. While it was a physical game that is part of an intense rivalry, the behavior of these four student-athletes in particular was unacceptable. As we enter the final weekend of the regular season and the conference tournament, these two teams and the rest of the MWC coaches and student-athletes need to be on notice that exemplary conduct is expected."

Utah coach Ray Giacoletti preferred not to comment on the matter.

"They've got to do what they've got to do," he said. "We'll abide by it and move on."

BYU coach Steve Cleveland said, "Emotions can sometimes run high during rivalry games. I trust that Commissioner Thompson and his staff have reviewed the matter thoroughly. I support the Mountain West Conference's emphasis on sportsmanship."

Jackson, Bogut and Ainge were involved in a first-half skirmish that resulted in technical fouls for Bogut and Ainge.

Bogut acknowledged pushing Ainge after he saw Ainge push Jackson and then had words with a BYU assistant coach. The MWC report said that "Jackson initiated physical contact with Ainge," something that Jackson disputes.

"From my point of view, I didn't instigate anything," Jackson said. "We kind of brushed shoulders as we walked by. That happens 25 times a game. He took offense to it — I guess."

Both Bogut and Jackson said they weren't upset about the reprimands but thought it was interesting that three Utah players were reprimanded compared to one BYU player.

"Obviously when you're the top team, there's a lot of things that are going to be done," Jackson said. "They were a very physical team and used a lot of fouls."