Utah G Drca suspended for tripping Griffin

Dec 15, 2008 - 9:47 PM SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) -- Utah guard Luka Drca received a two-game suspension from the school Monday stemming from an ugly incident during this past weekend's loss to Oklahoma.

Drca was whistled for an intentional foul in the second half of Saturday's 70-52 loss at then-No. 5 Oklahoma, when he tripped Sooners star forward Blake Griffin.

A preseason national player of the year candidate, Griffin did not comment on the ugly incident after the loss. Drca, however, apologized for the cheap shot.

"I just made a mistake," Drca said after the game. "I tripped a guy, but I didn't mean to. I just wanted to win the game."

Two days later, Utah announced that Drca's suspension was not mandated by the Mountain West Conference.

"Luka is remorseful for his actions, but I feel that suspending him is the only thing to do," Utah head coach Jim Boylen said. "His behavior was unacceptable and does not represent what our program is about."

The 6-5 Drca has averaged 6.5 points and 3.6 assists in eight games this season for the Utes. The junior will miss games against Weber State and Utah State.