The BYU-Utah rivalry has seen its fair share of controversy when it comes to officiating recently.

Just ask Utah athletic director Mark Harlan — who paid $40,000 out of his own pocket for his outburst after Utah lost to the Cougars in November. Famously, he said the game was “stolen” from his Utes.

Last week, it was BYU asking questions on the hardwood.

As BYU-Utah came down to the final seconds in overtime, there were a few calls that went to some lengthy reviews. There were also some moments that BYU head coach Kevin Young called “head scratching.”

Young thought BYU point guard Dawson Baker was fouled on his last-second shot attempt that could have won the game. He also thought Utah guard Hunter Erickson wasn’t fouled by Baker with 13 seconds left — a call that gave Utah the game-winning free throws.

“I’m not one of these guys that blames officiating on winning and losing. It happens in every game. Good calls, bad calls,” Young said. “The foul on Erickson, I didn’t think was a foul. And I thought Dawson got fouled on the last play. Simple as that. I don’t think there was any intent on any of the officials’ part. I just thought that was the way it went and that was unfortunate.”

The other gripe Young had was with a technical given to Mawot Mag in the first minutes of the game. Mag looked at Utah’s bench, said something, and was promptly given his second foul that forced him to sit.

“The refs said they didn’t even know what he said to the bench. And he still got a technical. So that was a little head-scratching to start the game,” Young said.

It wasn’t quite Harlan levels. But the rivalry has produced some officiating controversies of late.

The Big Thing

BYU was spiraling in the Big 12 rankings this week. But Young remained confident in his group.

He said close losses weren’t a reason to abandon ship. And he backed it up by going into Boulder and blowing out Colorado 83-67.

But that doesn’t mean all is well. One glaring issue is how Young can get more out of five-star freshman Kanon Catchings.

Catchings had five points in 14 minutes against the Buffs. He took only four shots. Against Utah, he was 1-of-6. He hasn’t been in double-digits since Arizona State on Dec. 31.

“Offensively I’m trying to wind him up. I think he’s too passive offensively. I’d like for him to look to be more aggressive,” Young said.

Catchings was a massive part of how this team was constructed this summer. He began the year as a starter and is now fighting for time off the bench.

In conference play, he is shooting 28% from three and has a turnover rate above 20. And defensively he’s still a work in progress.

“Defensive discipline as it relates to game plan,” Young said of what he needs from Catchings.

There is still some time, but BYU needs Catchings if it is going to make a March run. And it needs him to get there sooner rather than later.

Fourth down

1. Kalani HOF

Kalani Sitake was inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame last week with a ceremony held in Hawaii. Sitake is the first head coach of Tongan ancestry in college football.

2. Chase returns

BYU wide receiver Chase Roberts is coming back next year. He explained his decision to The Salt Lake Tribune.

3. A flaw?

Did the loss to Utah show a flaw in BYU basketball’s roster?

4. AJ update

AJ Dybantsa is getting a new coach before Kevin Young. Utah Prep brought in former NBA head coach Keith Smart to mold Dybantsa for a few months. The prep school will play in Utah one more time in March for BYU fans to see their future.