Collette wasn't released #1 to try and block future poaching incidents from happening and #2 because he left 2 days before the season opener leaving the team with a huge hole and a scholarship unfilled. He didn't keep up his end of the scholarship contract and didn't have a real reason to do so other than Utah had a spot for him.
Tommy Connor was behind it and this is mostly about him trying to get to the NBA and thinking Utah is a much better place for him to do so. While that may be true, someone is giving him bad advice. He's losing 1 1/2 seasons of playing basketball (already redshirted) regardless of what usu does and I don't think he's really NBA talent.