So why exactly did Michael Loyd transfer?

Earlier this spring, BYU's Michael Loyd, Jr., made one of the stranger transfer decisions.

Loyd just finished his sophomore season, but since he redshirted a year already, the only way that he can transfer and avoid losing a year of eligibility is by finishing his career at a DII school. All the more puzzling is that Loyd had just finished a sophomore season that saw him flourish when Jimmer Fredette was out. He made a name for himself nationally when he went for 26 points against Florida in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Originally, it was believed that Loyd left because he didn't fit in at BYU. The school's honor code is notoriously strict, and guys with mohawks and tongue piercings aren't that common at the Mormon School.

Michael Loyd won't be suiting up for BYU next year.
(photo credit: SLC Tribune)

But on Friday, the Salt Lake Tribune reported that Loyd has had a few brushes with the law during his time at BYU. The lightening quick, 5'11" point guard has racked up at least seven speeding tickets in the last 26 months and was also cited for driving with a denied license and failure to show proof of insurance. The biggest issue came just hours after BYU lost to then-No. 6 Wake Forest back in January of 2009. He was pulled over and arrested for possession of alcohol by a minor and possession of a controlled substance (weed).

If the speeding tickets didn't violate BYU's honor code, the arrest for the booze and the pot certainly did. The honor code explicitly outlaws the use of alcohol and illicit drugs.

But if you are to believe the athletic department and the coaching staff, they had no idea about Loyd's run-ins with law enforcement. A team spokesman said "[n]either Dave Rose nor his coaching staff are aware of any of the matters [The Salt Lake Tribune] inquired about regarding Michael Loyd Jr."

BYU is sticking by the story that Loyd was released for "accountability and responsibility" issues. Apparently, he was skipping class, skipping tutoring sessions, and constantly late for team meetings. Loyd also said that he was academically eligible and not in violation of the school's honor code, but that it was a "constant struggle" for him.

Its too bad.

Loyd was a heck of a player, and if the Cougars were to team him and Fredette they would have one of the most dynamic back courts out west.

Instead, Loyd is stuck deciding whether to transfer -- to a DII school to play two more year, or to a DI school and lose a year of eligibility -- or to turn professional and head to Europe.