Jimmer Fredette Naysayers Wrong: BYU Winning Against Good Competition

On the national stage last night, Jimmer Fredette put on a show for the ages en route to a 71-58 win over No. 4 San Diego State. His ridiculous-for-anyone-but-him shots captured the attention and affection of the nation, and “Jimmer” became a household name.

He certainly earned a lot of positive pub.

Still no respect from the Elitists

But much of the chatter came with this caveat: “He hasn’t put up numbers against good teams.”

In the spirit of the season, let me quote Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who said: “Nothing in the world is more dangerous than a sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”

So to you less-than-informed media and fans, let me set the record straight: Jimmer and BYU have earned their exposure and national ranking by playing a tough schedule against good teams.

“Smaller schools?” Do some homework, for crying out loud

First, let me rant a bit. If I hear another sports talking-head or read another tweeter ignorantly call BYU and SDSU “smaller schools,” I’m gonna climb through the fiber-optic cable and smack him/her upside the head.

BYU has 33,000 students. San Diego State? About the same.

BYU and SDSU both have larger enrollments than every school in the ACC, Big East, Big-12 and SEC school but South Florida, Florida, Georgia, Texas and A&M.

So correct your conscientious stupidity, and stop calling schools “small” unless you’re talking about Notre Dame, Nebraska, Duke, or Boston College.

And that goes for football, too.

BYU By the Numbers

Did you know that according to Rivals, BYU has played the 12^th toughest schedule in College Basketball?

Ohio State? 43^rd. Duke? 65^th.

Did you know Syracuse and Pitt, for example, didn’t play a SINGLE road game until January 8? Sure, they played one or two neutral court games—close to home.

BYU, on the other hand, played a ridiculous NINE games away from the Marriott Center during that time; four in opponents’ arenas and five neutral court games.  San Diego State played seven.

BYU By the Opponents

Did you know, basketball ignoramuses, that the RPI ranking formulas measure record and strength of opponents?

BYU’s RPI is #1 by many sources and SDSU is top-five as well.

The Cougars are 2-0 versus RPI top-25 teams and 4-1 over RPI top 60. And again, they go where no Big East, Big Ten or ACC school does: on the road a lot in preseason.

Let’s talk in March

The great thing about college basketball is like every other sport in the entire history of the world (oh, except college football): it will play out on the court. So may the best team win. Even if it’s a “big” school like BYU.