Ohio State stands alone as the nation's only unbeaten team after Jimmer Fredette and the Jimmer Fredettes, er, BYU Cougars, handed San Diego State their first loss of the season 71-58.
Fredette all but solidified his First Team All-American status tonight and joined Kemba Walker and Jared Sullinger as the front runners for National POY, pouring in 43 points and absolutely dominating the Aztecs in arguably the best individual performance this season. As if his play on the floor wasn't enough, in a courtside interview after the game Fredette displayed the humility and team-first attitude that have endeared him to not just BYU fans, but fans all across the country. It is honestly impossible not to love this guy.
Watching the tape from tonight's game, the first comparisons of recent college players that come to mind are Steph Curry and JJ Reddick. They aren't perfect comparisons as there are subtle differences in their respective games. Curry, when facing superiorly athletic teams tended to force shots and struggle handling the ball against constant double teams. At times he scored at will, but in his junior year against teams like Duke and Purdue Curry clearly struggled without a reliable scoring option along side him to relieve pressure.
The main difference between Fredette and Reddick is the amount of time Fredette spends as BYU's primary ball handler. Reddick was superior using screens and getting quality shots with accuracy and an exceptionally quick release. Both players possess a keen ability to create their own shots by taking an aggressive dribble towards the basket and popping back to create the small window of space needed to get off a good look. However, in general Reddick was more of a shooter running off screens constantly, a la Reggie Miller or Ray Allen, where Jimmer is more prone to taking the dribble all the way to the bucket and using his body to shield off bigger defenders and absorbing the contact.
As far as Dave Rose and his BYU teammates are concerned; Jimmer is incomparable. San Diego State clearly had no answer for Fredette tonight as he pumped in a surprisingly NON season high 43 points on a blistering 14 of 24 shooting (that includes a perplexing missed goal-tending call as well).
If BYU and Fredette have aspirations of making it to the Final Four, they are going to face some teams with the quickness and length to make things much more difficult for Fredette. A team like Duke with Nolan Smith or Ohio State's David Lighty, or even Texas with a stable of long, athletic wing players could pose a whole different set of challenges.
| It's going to take a concerted team effort to corral the nation's best scorer. |
1. No switching on screens. San Diego State did what is typically logical when defending a great scorer, and that is to frequently switch on ball screens. However, Fredette was smartly able to exploit this by taking advantage of the quickness mismatch when a taller defender switched onto him. Fredette is excellent at the "step-back" dribble to create just enough room for his lightning quick release to get a clean 3-point shot up. Add in the fact that his range is legitimately anywhere inside 28 to 30 feet, and this creates a problem.
What needs to be done is to hedge high on ball screens; push him laterally and turn him away from the basket and allow the primary defender time to retreat back to Fredette. No going under screens or switching or he will kill you.
2. Face guard him AFTER he passes. SDSU did a good job of forcing Fredette to pass many times. However, nearly every single time he passed the ball he was able to run off a quick down screen or rub his defender free and get the ball right back as soon as he wanted. After he passes it is imperitive to "jump" the cutter. Basically bump him off his route like an NFL defensive back and force him to hand fight and run around frantically to get the ball back.
This is very frustrating for scorers and can get him off his rythym - as well as cause some frustration with the difficulty to even get the ball back in his hands. He frequently begins the possession with the ball as he usually dribbles it up the court. That makes it difficult to keep him from touching the ball, however there are ample opportunities to prevent him from getting it back - SDSU did a poor job of this tonight.
3. Bring help to the on-ball defender "higher" on the court. This doesn't mean "switch", rather it means turn all screens into double teams. If I'm coaching against the Cougs, I'd gladly take my chances with someone, anyone else beating me. If his teammates can get 35-40 points by knocking down open shots that present themselves with the constant double teaming on Fredette, so be it.
Fredette has a tendency to leave his feet to pass, which is what led to many of BYU's turnovers tonight (the only real weakness I saw in his game). Constant double teaming 'higher' up on the court (i.e. - anywhere from 22 feet in, not just when he penetrates beneath the foul line extended) will force some turnovers and make it difficult for Fredette to create mid-range looks at the bucket.
Of course, all these things are easier said than done. Take nothing away from Fredette's effort tonight; it was simply spectacular. But don't be surprised if an athletic team from one of the BCS conferences makes the three above adjustments and knocks off the Cougars early than expected in the NCAA Tourney in a #7 over #2 or a #6 / #3 'upset'.
I don't generally do scouting report columns, I know it is tough reading for you non-dork fans - but for my hardcore readers, I wanted to give you what I saw from watching tonight's game. Any insights, opinions, etc. you gleamed from tonight's thriller are always welcome! Post below, or send comments to chrisscheeren@yahoo.com
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