The Jimmer's offense will be missed

It wasn't just the shots that The Jimmer missed. It was the ones he gave up.

BYU's national, and even international, sensation Jimmer Fredette endured one of those nights Thursday, the ones that even the great shooters have to endure every once in a while.

The Jimmer was 11 of 29 from the field, just 3 of 15 from beyond the arc and misfired on his only two shots of overtime in an 83-74 loss to Florida, in a game that would have put the Cougars one victory away from the Final Four.

When Fredette makes shots, his defense — or lack thereof — isn't nearly as much of a factor.

You can live with — or without — it.

But on Thursday night, when the shots just weren't falling, he needed to give his team more.

He could ill-afford to be a liability on that “other” end of the floor.

“Coach (Billy Donovan) said that whoever he's on, exploit him,” Florida guard Kenny Boynton said after the game.

That's exactly what happened.

Florida was able to take advantage of Fredette throughout the game, whether it was when BYU was stuck in its 2-3 zone or forced to go man-to-man after the Gators connected on some perimeter shots.

“He doesn't really pay attention to defense,” Boynton added. “There's a couple of guys like that we've gone up against. But with them (BYU), it's harder to tell because they usually sit back in the zone.”

Fredette is a special player whom I enjoyed watching as much as anyone anywhere this season. I saw them all in person: Jimmer, UConn's Kemba Walker, Duke's Nolan Smith, Arizona's Derrick Williams, Ohio State's Jared Sullinger and Purdue's JaJuan Johnson.

I've been called a hater because I've done the unthinkable — criticized The Jimmer. However, if there's anyone in the nation I'd empty my wallet to watch, it's Fredette.

He'll be sorely missed. In a college basketball campaign in which there was a lack of marquee players and dominant teams, The Jimmer added a much-needed jolt. It began when he erupted for 34 points back in late-January in a victory over previously unbeaten San Diego State.

The Jimmer was a walking human highlight film, captivating the country with his endless array of off-balance jumpers and his bountiful three-pointers from well beyond the line.

But with BYU big man Brandon Davies on the sideline due to an honor code violation, The Jimmer needed to step his game up on the other end of the court.

The side that doesn't always show up in the box score: Defense.

There are those who maintain The Jimmer couldn't afford to get into foul trouble.

To that I say he had just 49 fouls in 37 games. That's an average of just 1.3 fouls per contest.

There are those who say he expends so much energy on the court, especially on Thursday when he logged 44 minutes.

To that I say he only plays one end of the court.

There was Fredette, in the waning moments of his final collegiate game, jogging three steps behind Erving Walker as the Gators diminutive guard was run off multiple screens.

The Jimmer looked as though he'd been in a backyard brawl following the game as he limped down the hallway of the New Orleans Arena with a blood-soaked bandage covering his chin.

He's suffered a calf injury and also went to the ground chin-first after being tripped by Gators big man Vernon Macklin.

There were no excuses from the Jimmer after the game.

He was as stand-up as it gets.

“I just didn't make enough shots,” Fredette said. “I didn't shoot the ball well. It's a credit to their defense.”

The effort was led by Florida guard Kenny Boynton, the same guy who — by his count — allowed 23 of Jimmer's 37 a year ago when the Gators were bounced in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

The Jimmer missed his first six shots from the field this time with Boynton in pursuit before finally getting on the board with 6:17 remaining. He had 10 points by the time he went into the locker room at halftime.

There were moments when he looked like The Jimmer — such as when he drained a 32-footer to tie the game with just less than five minutes left.

But it took him 29 shots to rack up 32 points.

“A lot was made of Jimmer Fredette coming into the game,” Donovan said after the win. “He's a great player, but we really felt the key to the game was to try and shut down the other four players.”

No one else finished in double-figures for BYU.

Now The Jimmer will prepare for June's NBA Draft — where there will be no shortage of differing opinions on his future at the next level.

But Fredette wasn't worried about any of that as he attempted to digest what happened Thursday night.

“It's definitely tough,” Fredette said of playing in his final college game. “Tough it's over. It hasn't really hit me yet.”

The Jimmer has left the dance, and the entire nation will miss him. I'm going to miss him, too.

Just not his defense.