Jimmer Fredette relishes BYU's return to relevance after watching Cougars in March Madness
DENVER (AP) — Among the throng of blue-clad BYU fans who packed Ball Arena to witness the Cougars' narrow escape against Wisconsin was Jimmer Fredette.
BYU's last basketball blue-chipper, Fredette sweated it out with the rest of the Cougars fans as they watched Wisconsin scratch and claw and come within another John Tonje basket of sending what had once been a 14-point laugher into overtime Saturday night.
Tonje burned BYU for 37 points — the most by any player in this edition of March Madness so far — but his final shot came up short and when Keba Keita corralled the rebound and took off with a mile-high smile, the Cougars were 91-89 winners.
“Yeah, I was nervous,” Fredette told The Associated Press in the jubilant BYU section of first-level seats. “Look, you watched the game and you’re kind of like, ‘How did we get to a two-point game here, you know?’
“But look, I think that describes this team. They fight, they’re resilient and play with heart and energy. And you’re going to win a lot of games doing that.”
The Cougars are on their way to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2011, when Fredette was jacking up jumpers at the beginning of a basketball journey that would include six seasons in the NBA and an appearance in the Paris Olympics for the United States' 3x3 team.
Fredette was in uniform in this very arena the last time the Cougars earned a Sweet 16 berth, with an 89-67 win over Gonzaga 14 years ago.
Now, Fredette has another reason to love Ball Arena — which was called Pepsi Center back when he was in college.
Fredette couldn't be happier for — or prouder of — his alma mater.
“It's been an incredible, incredible team to follow, to watch,” Fredette said. “I think I've caught the last four games that they've played this year. And man, I love how this team plays, the energy, the passion.”
He loves how coach Kevin Young has brought elements of the NBA with him to Provo, Utah, including NBA-caliber talent.
“I don't know all the X's and O's associated with basketball but I like what Kevin has done. And obviously, I'm closely connected to the program. I've heard nothing but good things about having the players and how they bought into what he brought in,” Fredette said.
The last player drafted out of BYU was Fredette, back in 2011. Now, Egor Demon, the 6-foot-9 swingman from Moscow, could be one-and-done, and next year the Cougars will get AJ Dybansta, the nation’s top recruit who made a splash this season when he signed an NIL deal with BYU that's reportedly worth between $5 million and $7 million.
Fredette smiled as he talked about his school suddenly being the talk of the NCAA Tournament and a desired destination for top talent.
“Yeah, a lot of excitement,” Fredette said.
___
AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here.
Topics
-
‘We’ve got to be the aggressor’: How BYU is approaching Thursday’s Big Dance opener vs. VCU
BYU returns to the scene of its most recent NCAA Tournament success — Denver's Ball Arena — hoping to rekindle the magic of the Jimmer Fredette-led run to the Sweet 16 in 2011.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
BYU fans celebrate Sweet 16 bid with Cougars
PROVO, Utah (ABC4 Sports) – Hours after BYU pulled out a 91-89 thriller over Wisconsin to advance to its first Sweet 16 since 2011, hundred of diehard BYU fans showed up at Provo Airport at 1:30 in ...Yahoo Sports - 10h -
What does BYU stand for? What to know of Cougars' basketball team amid March Madness run
For fans tuning in to watch BYU basketball's March Madness run, a question may arise: What exactly does it stand for? Here's what to know:Yahoo Sports - 1d -
BYU vs. Wisconsin Prediction: Odds, Expert Picks, Betting Trends, and Stats for 2025 March Madness Round 2
BYU Cougars vs. Wisconsin Badgers Game PreviewYahoo Sports - 2d -
Tip time, TV channel announced for Wisconsin basketball March Madness second round vs. BYU
The No. 3-seed Wisconsin Badgers will continue their 2025 NCAA Tournament on Saturday with a second-round matchup against the No. 6-seed BYU CougarsYahoo Sports - 3d -
Why is JJ Watt boycotting Tator Tots after Wisconsin basketball's loss to BYU in March Madness second round? We explain.
JJ Watt says he's boycotting Tator Tots for the next 48 hours after Wisconsin basketball's loss to BYU in March Madness. Here's its connection to one of the Cougars' star players.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
BYU's Whiting out as women's basketball coach
BYU women's basketball coach Amber Whiting is out after three sub-.500 seasons with the Cougars.ESPN - Mar. 8 -
BYU enjoys March Madness success with 80-71 win over VCU a year after NCAA Tournament flop
Igor Demin and Richie Saunders led BYU to an 80-71 victory over VCU in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, giving first-year Cougars coach Kevin Young a better memory of Ball Arena than his last one. ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
BYU vs VCU schedule, TV channel: How to watch March Madness NCAA Tournament game
What time is the BYU vs VCU NCAA Tournament game? How to watch Cougars vs Rams March Madness game on Thursday, March 20 on TV.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Jason Licht gives positive update on Chris Godwin's injury recovery
Jason Licht shares news that every Bucs fan will be happy to hear as it relates to Chris Godwin.Yahoo Sports - 27m -
Premier League clubs in talks to end transfer window before start of season
Premier League clubs will discuss closing the summer transfer window this year on August 14, two days before the start of the 2025-2026 season, when they meet on Thursday – a measure that was ...Yahoo Sports - 27m -
Seahawks draft dominant OL in latest 2025 NFL mock draft
The Seattle Seahawks draft a dominant offensive linemen prospect in this latest 2025 NFL mock draftYahoo Sports - 28m -
College football analyst discusses USC's recruiting and NIL surge
On a recent episode of his show The Hard Count, J.D. Pickell of On3 Sports discussed the Trojans' recent NIL and recruiting developments.Yahoo Sports - 28m -
Rams named 'best fit' for Pro Bowl WR Keenan Allen
The Rams don't need more receivers, but this move would be another all-in signing for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.Yahoo Sports - 29m
More in Sports
-
Sources: Texas nearing deal with Xavier's Miller
Less than a week after appearing in the First Four of the NCAA tournament, where it lost to Xavier, Texas on Sunday informed coach Rodney Terry that he has been fired, with athletic director Chris ...ESPN - 27m -
Hurley: UConn's historic run ends with 'honor'
UConn coach Dan Hurley said there was "some honor" in the end to UConn's 13-game tournament win streak, which was halted in a narrow loss to Florida on Sunday.ESPN - 27m -
Queen's buzzer shot sends Terrapins to Sweet 16
Derik Queen banked in a fadeaway jumper at the buzzer to lift Maryland over Colorado State 72-71 and into the Sweet 16.ESPN - 27m -
Poch: U.S. has 'time' to fix issues before World Cup
After suffering two defeats in the Concacaf Nations League, United States manager Mauricio Pochettino insisted that his side still has enough time to turn things around before the 2026 World Cup.ESPN - 27m -
Ole Miss cruises, becomes 7th SEC Sweet 16 team
Proud of the way his team battled through a rugged SEC schedule this season, Ole Miss guard Matthew Murrell, after the Rebels secured a berth in the Sweet 16 on Sunday by defeating Iowa State, said ...ESPN - 27m