Vante Hendrix is leaving the basketball team

[Thlete]

According to his Instagram post. I’m so tired of our exciting players with high promise transferring early. Our team is in such a bad spot right now it makes me really sad. Conference is down this year and I was hoping we could make a run but this team is really bad. 

[Anonymous]

I’m just giving up on basketball. 

[utefansince79]

After getting the technical foul late in the Hawaii game, he didn’t play a minute against Grand Canyon and Northwestern.  Hope this team start coming around soon as we’ve really had some bad losses so far.

 

 

[LetItRide]

He is a solid defender and has speed. Wtf are we doing. His three point shot is decent and he played with energy. Not happy. 

[stonguse]

He wasn’t even on the bench during those games.

[ironman1315]

Sounds like Coach K can’t keep a team together. Great. Just…great.

[PhillyUte]

Hmmm I’m starting to think it’s not the players that’s the problem. Oh man I miss the Delon and Poeltl seasons. 

[therealu]

I agree. It is one thing to not make it to the tourney in 3 years – but to have such a revolving door of players (and a lot of talented ones at that) as well – not good for the basketball program and that falls at Larry’s feet. 

Ultimately it comes down to winning, but if you aren’t winning, and your are IMO damaging the reputation of the program when it comes to future recruits…. not good. 

It is probably put up or shut up time with Larry, and if the Utes don’t make the tourney at least once in the next two years, I would be shocked if Harlan kept him around. 

[Sweetness]

I’ve largely been behind Larry during his time here, but we’re really bad this year and this is his 6th/7th? season as coach. Players keep transferring and we’re going to miss the tournament for the third straight year. IMO he should at least get this year and next, but if in two years we don’t make the tournament and we have some more of these transfers I think it will be time to move on. The university has invested way too much money into facilities and coaching to only be making the tournament once every few years. 

[alharmon]

If we don’t make the NCAA tournament either this year or next it’s time to move on from Larry. I love his passion, but too many players transferring and not enough winning…

[Puget Ute]

We are stuck. His buyout is $13M AFTER this year. He will be here for at least 4 more gears, So I hope he can get things rolling soon.

[Utah5410]

WTF is K doing ? Anyone who has talent leaves. Meanwhile the RaRa very little talent guys stay but can only do so much. This is getting ridiculous.

[cjd1]

Vante Hendrix departs Utah’s basketball program after being absent from the last two games.

https://www.sltrib.com/sports/utah-utes/2018/11/28/vante-hendrix-departs/

“may have stemmed from a brief exchange with coach Larry Krystkowiak”

[Utahute72]

Evidently it was not basketball related, but personal.  That may be why he wasn’t around to finish the tournament.

[GameForAnyFuss]

Confirmed. This was Vante’s decision, period. 

I’m not defending Larry at all because he’s lost far too many players, but this one is not on him. 

[dwainegf]

I am a season ticket holder and have gone to all the home games. In those games I noticed that there was some tension between Hendrix and Coach K. It has been the Coach’s policy , since he came here, to pull players from the game for unforced errors both on D and as turnovers on O. When that happened to Hendrix he would walk away from the bench area to cool off, pout or whatever. One time he left the bench area completely and went into the players tunnel for a brief period. Having coached multiple sports for more than 30 years I understand the predicament this puts Coach K. in, I believe that players that don’t buy into the coach’s philosophy and are given “special” treatment can have a devastating affect on team chemistry.

[Staples]

Noticed that as well. Couple of times had to be coaxed into joining the huddle during the timeout. Not a good look.