Falcons gear up to defend BYU's Fredette

Air Force’s coaching staff gave the Falcons’ players tips on how to defend BYU’s Jimmer Fredette Saturday. They told the players to keep their hands up at all times because of Fredette’s quick release, to press him tight off screens because he likes to pull up, and to locate him on fast breaks because so many of his baskets come in transition.   

All of that advice will help. And, it could be for naught. Fredette is averaging 25.1 points, is a national player of the year candidate and although Andrew Bogut, Danny Granger and others might argue, he might be the greatest player in Mountain West history.

He has seen all the defensive tricks one could imagine, and has beaten them all.

“Jimmer can make you look bad,” Falcons coach Jeff Reynolds said.

The funniest trick defense BYU coach Dave Rose could remember is the triangle and two zone used by Hawaii this season. Hawaii doubled Fredette constantly with that defense and forced Fredette into a poor game by his standards: 6-of-13 shooting and 16 points. BYU won by 21.

Since Fredette came on last year – a 49-point outburst at Arizona announced he had arrived – teams have concentrated on stopping him. There have been different zones and double teams with and without the ball. With Fredette handling the ball more often this season, some defenders run at him as soon as he crosses half court to try and get the ball out of his hands. Fredette has handled that extra attention well because, as Rose said, he’s been getting extra defensive attention all his life.

“We’ve seen a lot of it,” Fredette said. “I don’t think we’ve seen it all. I’m sure teams will come up with something we haven’t seen yet. We just have to take it in stride.”

Air Force will do plenty of switching on Fredette on Saturday, but Falcons guard Evan Washington will likely be the primary defender against Fredette. The seniors have been battling for years. Familiarity will help Washington, although Fredette hopes he won’t be too predictable.

“Hopefully I’ll have some new moves he hasn’t seen yet,” Fredette said.

Although Fredette is a great shooter, Washington praised Fredette’s overall game. Washington said Fredette is shifty and understands how to use angles to his advantage, so he can drive to the basket well. Fredette drove to the hoop repeatedly against Florida in a NCAA Tournament win last season. Washington said he has to respect Fredette’s ability to drive to the basket, but can’t sag off too much because he can shoot so well.

And for all the tips and tricks and experience, the best method to hold down Fredette might be the simplest.

“You just have to pray it doesn’t go in,” Washington said. “Because once he gets into a flow, he can score 40 easily.”

FREDETTE VS. AIR FORCE

FG-FGA/3ptFG-3ptFGA/FT-FTA Points

Junior year (22.1 ppg)

1/13/10 at Air Force

2-4/1-2/3-5 8 points

2/13/10 at BYU

3-6/1-3/2-2 9 points

Sophomore year (16.2 ppg)

2/3/09 at Air Force

6-10/4-5/4-4 20 points

3/7/09 at BYU

4-10/1-5/4-4 13 points

3/12/09 at Mountain West tournament

5-10/4-7/7-7 21 points

Freshman year (7.0 ppg)

1/30/08 at Air Force

4-10/2-6/0-0 10 points

3/1/08 at BYU

4-6/2-2/0-0 10 points