BYU Basketball: 5 Reasons the Cougars Will Still Be a Force Without Jimmer

Jimmer Fredette created a national following with his humility and ability to splash the net from anywhere on the floor.

He brought his team national rankings, accolades and a deep run in the NCAA tournament.

He smiled with as much consistency as his free-throw shooting and created an experience in Provo that compared with any basketball community across the country.

Dave Rose has to begin a reloading process to further the success of the program and end the stream of tears from BYU fans by remembering the past and focusing on the future.  

Stephen Rogers Will Become an Elite Scorer

A flash of white and blue hovers above the air, rises above an unsuspecting defender and launches a ball over an ineffective defensive plan once again as the net splashes seconds later.

The heralded Cougars possess an offensive void from the departure of the national sensation, Jimmer Fredette, a being who confused opponents with his undeniably deep range and deceptive speed, leaving a wake of destruction.

His compelling scoring average of 28.9 points per game over 37 games and adoration for the long ball, raising on a dime and launching the ball into the net with ease, created the opportunity to exceed such point totals of 40 or more on the biggest stages.

The weight of a community and world filled with expectations and opinions wore and strangled Fredette during his senior campaign. Hope and success began to leave the crowded Marriott Center, but a hidden flash of greatness shimmered with a deep ball from the wing or a tough rebound leading to an easy score.

Stephen Rogers is a skilled 6'8" forward who is prepared to encompass each facet in being a serious scoring threat and leader. This upcoming forward was an outstanding offensive player at Mesa (Ariz.) Community College before transferring to BYU, where he averaged 4.1 points, 2.2 rebounds and 10.2 minutes last season.

Rogers, who began his college career at Arizona State, averaged 21.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.3 steals in his lone season at Mesa. He also made 85 three-pointers and shot 42.7 percent from beyond the arc that season.

Be prepared to experience Rogers exploding in a weak conference permeating with untalented and inexperienced players with his length and high-level skill set.  

Surrounded by Loyal Fans

Any opposing teams entering the Marriott Center for the first time possessed preconceived notions of a few small families scattered in the stands of the large building, almost inaudible to a player on the floor. To their dismay, any team not draped in the blue and white of the BYU Cougars is met by a sea of white consisting of nearly 20,000 local fans who span from generation to generation.

Hours before tipoff, the building shakes with anticipation and deafens the opposing team, creating an environment that allowed Jimmer Fredette and his team to flourish last year.   

This scene of conservative chaos will now take precedent at each-and-every away game due to the close proximity of BYU fans and a hype about BYU basketball that has never before existed before Fredette.

The entrance into a conference that is full of history and focuses on a region that permeates with BYU pride, will provide a national high in BYU attendance, creating an advantage in every game. This conference is present in Utah, California, Oregon and Washington, where nearly 58 percent of BYU alumni reside.

Also, BYU basketball creates a uniform passion for the LDS faith, where 13 million fans can support a program full of mature young men that focus on a greater purpose. 

Lethal from Behind the Arc

The BYU Cougars found themselves trailing in various instances due to the lack of rebounding and opportunities to finish a defensive possession.

Within moments of realizing the increasing deficit, Jimmer Fredette would drive and dish to a set Noah Hartsock or a flashing Charles Abouo beyond the three-point line to ignite a barrage of confidence and excitement.

I believe BYU will continue to be an amazing shooting team and utilize the great equalizer in a conference that struggles with perimeter defense.

This year's offense will shift from a one-man system to relying on a system that will focus on team passing and rebounding. It will allow each player on the court to become a threat, inviting a defense to double team.

This play depicts a successful situation where, with a swing pass, Hartsock or Stephen Rogers can catch, take a step up from "Jimmer" range and connect. 

Improved Athleticism

The BYU crowd sits speechless and embarrassed as the team is humiliated by each consecutive missed layup due to the inability to finish above the rim.

On the defensive end, each BYU player stood frozen as an athletic guard soared through the air and hammered down a ferocious dunk with complete authority. A block from this team is as hard to find as a good time in Provo.

DeMarcus Harrison, a highly-touted freshman, will complement the effort pushing towards a more athletic team, as he shows, with every play, his excellent size and impressive athleticism.

Also, Charles Abouo, a very strong and quick athlete, will benefit this year's team because of his dominating rebounding and ability to slash to the rim with explosiveness.

Another huge piece to answering this predicament is the return of Brandon Davies from being ruled ineligible by BYU for violating the school's Honor Code. He is prepared to bring his size and skills to the low post spot on both ends of floor. His new role of domination must begin on BYU's first game with tenacious dunks and emphatic blocks for BYU to find success in this new era.  

Depth at the Point Guard Position

Jimmer Fredette played nearly every minute of last year due to his responsibility of carrying the entire offensive load every night and the lack of depth at his position, which was awful due to lackluster talent and the inability to manage the pressure of a competitive team.

If he was ever pulled off the floor and a player rushed on the court, even the most loyal BYU fan would question his identity and wonder how he found himself on the team.

I believe it will take a lot of different players running the point to replace the production and leadership of Fredette, but that is exactly what Dave Rice delivered to this year's team. The offensive load will shift to Matt Carlino, a respectable scorer who transferred from UCLA. He has the ability to shoot the ball well and understand an offensive plan.

Also, Anson Winder, a redshirt freshman, will benefit the cause with his rebounding and high basketball IQ. Craig Cusick and Nick Martineau fill out the rest of the depth chart and will continue to be mature leaders, and they may come off the bench to provide a spark to the offense or dive for a loose ball.

Overall, this group has very large shoes to fill and a national icon to emulate, but with the guidance of Rice and the support of one another, the BYU Cougars will have a very successful season ending in the NCAA tournament.