Should Jimmer have played against Utah?

OK, I’ll go ahead an answer that question myself. Yes. Because the Cougars only have two points guards right now and coach Dave Rose had little choice. But Rose, noticing that Fredette wasn’t at full strength and still suffering from another bout with the flu, or whatever (I’m still not sure they know), handled his rotation well by getting Michael Loyd into the game early. That might not have happened, however, had Fredette not picked up two quick fouls. But Fredette might not have picked up those fouls had he been 100 percent and not a step slow because of a low energy level. In the second half, when Fredette’s fouls were no longer an issue, Rose had a tougher challenge. Clearly, Fredette wanted to play. Anyone can see the frustration the Cougar star is feeling by the fact that he can’t play at 100 percent right now. So Rose had to handle that frustration with doing what was best for the team, and against Utah, just like it was against New Mexico, it was giving Loyd more minutes.
I’m like many of you, wondering just how good this season could have been for Fredette had he not been robbed from some of his opportunities by illness. Because when he’s feeling well, he plays very well. And right now, despite, what some naysayers are saying, Fredette is not 100 percent. From my own personal rating system from what I’ve seen this season, I’m going to give him about a 60-70 percent rating.
“I think he’s feeling better than he felt on Saturday. But probably OK, he’s not. He’s getting better, but he’s not himself yet,” Rose after the Utah game.
For the Cougars to have a successful postseason, I think they’ll need a healthy Fredette. Because no one on BYU can carry the scoring burden, when needed, like he can.
“Every time, wherever he goes, the whole defense shifts,” teammate Jackson Emery said. “He’s going to get better and start feeling better, and we’re going to start playing really well.”
Any fan who criticizes Fredette for his effort right now or for how much time he should play, doesn’t understand the game. Fredette is giving it all he has, he’s just a little short on strength right now. And, it’s not Fredette’s choice as to when he plays and when he does not. That decision is made by Rose, as it should be.

I’m impressed with the following the New Mexico Lobos have this season. Following their win over BYU last weekend, about 2,000 fans met the team at the airport that night. That’s almost a world-championship greeting.

More on Lobos coach Steve Alford: I guess we’re not going to hear Alford acknowledge he was wrong in using a vulgarity to cuss out Jonathan Tavernari, at least we haven’t yet, five days after the incident and three days after he was reprimanded by the MWC. But did find this nice column by Rick Wright of the Albuquerque Journal. I think you’ll find it interesting. You might have to sign up for trial access to read it.
RickWrightColumn