Jimmer Fredette. Jackson Emery. Two of the best guards in school history. One BYU's most prolific scorer of all time; the other a master thief with school records in steals. Jimmer Fredette was the consensus national player of the year in 2011. Cougar Nation knew losing him would create a difficult hole in the roster to fill. Many may not have realized, however, that losing Jackson Emery, a consistent, do-everything work horse, would have almost an equal impact on BYU's rebuilding season. Few appreciated how his constant effort and consistency made up for everyone else's mistakes until he was gone.
Most predicted the 2011-2012 to be a struggle for BYU basketball due to losing Jimmer and Jackson and moving into the West Coast Conference. I actually predicted a conference title and a return to the Sweet Sixteen. I was wrong, but let's consider for a moment Coach Dave Rose's accomplishment in leading this squad in this "rebuilding" year.
Third in the WCC. About where most people expected the Cougars to finish. My over-optimistic prediction did not expect Saint Mary's to be quite so dangerous after losing Mickey McConnell. BYU did come within one game of Gonzaga for second place, and with a healthy Noah Hartsock in the second meeting between the two teams who knows how that would have played out.
26 wins. For the sixth season in a row the Cougars won 25 or more games. And this after losing the best back court in school history and having to deal with injuries to Chris Collinsworth, Stephen Rogers, and Noah Hartsock. Not to mention a mid-season adjustment when Matt Carlino became eligible and a myriad of young players on the squad. What a phenomenal coaching job by Coach Rose. And it all culminated in a sixth straight NCAA tournament appearance, winning a game there for the third straight year.
The steady play of Noah Hartsock saved this season, as did Brandon Davies' dominance in the paint through conference play. Inconsistencies on the perimeter potentially cost the Cougars a few games, but overall this was certainly a season to be proud of. Especially for a rebuilding year.
A special thanks to Noah Hartsock and Charles Abouo for their incredible careers at BYU. They will certainly be missed.
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