BYU Basketball: Re-Living Jimmermania

Jimmermania Begins

Jimmer’s  senior year was one of the greatest individual seasons, if not the best, for any BYU athlete, basketball or not. It began with a 24 point win over Fresno State. This continued as the Cougars won their first 10 games and the team was ranked No. 16 in the nation. Fredette played well, with two 30 point games, but the best was yet to come.

After a loss to UCLA, the team went on another ten game win streak which saw the Cougars get ranked as high as ninth in the nation. This streak saw Fredette have his first 40+ point game against rival Utah with 47 points, and most will remember is buzzer beating half court shot with the composed staredown that followed. Then, a 42 point performance over Colorado State, followed by one of the most legendary performances the Marriott Center has even seen in a 43 point performance and a victory over #4 San Diego State.

Then a loss came against New Mexico, which seemed to have BYU’s number for most of the season. The loss was followed by a seven game streak, including another win against ranked San Diego State, this time on the road. In this streak, Jimmer only had one 30+ point game. However, “Jimmermania” and “Jimmer Range” was in full swing as more tv coverage was given to him.

Jimmer changed college basketball that season. Songs, shirts, and kids (and adults) attempting more than long range three pointers were just some of the ways that Jimmermania stole the storm. The phrase “Kobe” was changed to “Jimmer” and everyone wanted to match is playing style. Sportscenter was turned on across the nation to see highlights of Jimmer pulling up from 30 feet away and drilling shot after shot. His playing style matched closely to Steph Curry before Curry was even known.

Jimmer had his season high of 52 points in a win over New Mexico later that month. This was followed by three straight 30+ games in the NCAA tournament as 3 seeded BYU won two games and then made the Sweet Sixteen before falling to Florida in overtime.

Obviously, this was one of the greatest seasons in BYU history. It is a “what could have been season” for the team, but for Jimmer, it was his year and it affected all of us.

He won National Player of the Year, lead the nation in scoring, All-American, multiple first team honors, and one of the greatest college basketball players our generation has seen.