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What Lies Ahead for the Aztecs and Cougars


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By Mark Knudson, The Mtn. Insider
March 24, 2011
 
The greatest basketball season in Mountain West Conference history ended in agonizing fashion, with both Conference powers, BYU and San Diego State, losing close, hard-fought Sweet 16 contests that showcased both the strengths and weaknesses of the league’s best teams.
 
For San Diego State, missed free throws and an inability to finish doomed what looked to be an amazing second half comeback in a loss to U Conn. In a similar scenario to their two losses to BYU earlier in the year, SDSU could not overcome a great game by a great player, as Kemba Walker torched the Aztecs for 36 points, ending the greatest season in school history. DJ Gay had some big moments in the second half  but in the end, SDSU didn’t have anyone to match up with Walker.
 
For BYU, a near carbon copy of last year’s NCAA Tournament double overtime win over Florida ended differently, with the Gators prevailing in a single extra period. Jimmer Fredette finally appeared mortal, his spectacular drives to the basket being balanced out by a 3-for-15 day from behind the arc. Fredette, who “only” scored 32 points, finally showed the wear and tear of the season and in the end couldn’t hit the big shot in the big moment. The highly publicized absence of Brandon Davies and the lack of an inside presence were an obvious handicap against the bigger Gators.
 
Ironically, these two teams that met three times this season and spent most of it in the Top 10 ended up needing what the other had. Picture the Aztecs with Fredette in their lineup, and imagine what BYU would have looked like with Kawhi Leonard and Malcolm Thomas in blue and white.

Final Four and then some.
 
Actually, fans of both teams will have to do plenty of imagining from this point forward, because neither team will look anything close to the same come next October.
 
BYU now heads off to the West Coast Conference, and assuming head coach Dave Rose remains in Provo (he’s sure to be a candidate for one or more of the high profile job openings around the country), he will have a good deal of retooling to do. BYU loses three seniors, including Fredette and Jackson Emery, and the future of Davies (who was just a sophomore) at the school is very much in doubt.
 
San Diego State also graduates a number of key players, including Gay, Thomas and Billy White. Superstar forward Leonard, just a sophomore, could opt for the NBA Draft, making head coach Steve Fisher’s rebuilding job just as tough, if not more so, than Rose’s.
 
San Diego State figures to battle New Mexico for the honor of preseason MWC favorite for 2011-12, with the Lobos getting the advantage if Leonard leaps to the NBA.
 
MWC fans will not see as much of BYU moving forward and it will likely be a very long time before the Conference sees the likes of a player like Fredette ever again. If there is any justice left west of Pittsburgh, Jimmer will leave BYU with every single National Player of the Year award available. There’s simply no instance where you can objectively make a case for anyone else - Walker, Nolan Smith, Jarred Sullinger or anyone. All season long, Fredette was head and shoulders the best player in America and it will be a travesty if the Eastern Bloc media, hardly known for objectivity, gives any award to someone else.
 
It was a fantastic hoops season, one that the Conference schools need to build on as the league works to get rid of the insipid mid-major label the Eastern Bloc has placed on it.

See all of Mark Knudson's blog entries HERE.
ALL TIMES MOUNTAIN

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