At about 10 PM mountain time, Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant tweeted "Jimmer Fredette is the best scorer in the world!!" This tweet came on the same night that Durant tied his career high 47 points.

That statement couldn't sum up Jimmer Fredette's performance any better.

If there was one thing that could be learned from the big match up between No. 4 San Diego State and No. 9 BYU, it's that Jimmer Fredette is a freak: In front of 25,700 crazy fans, Fredette dropped 43 points in the 71-58 victory for the Cougars.

It truly was a game for the history books that will be remembered by BYU fans for many, many years to come.

I was privileged enough to attend the game in person and I must admit that even I was surprised by what I saw. I've been following Fredette and BYU basketball for years now, but tonight was something incredible.

Full court pressure for virtually the entire game and a bevy of different defenders and looks couldn't even slow Fredette down. Lights out is the only way to describe the incredible performance.

Fredette had 20 points in the first half and ended shooting 14-24 from the field including 5-8 from behind the arc. Perhaps the most impressive stat was 10-11 shooting from the free throw line, including seven in a row that put the game out of reach for the Aztecs.

Who is the NCAA 2011 Player of the Year?
Jimmer Fredette
91.5%Kemba Walker
2.1%Jared Sullinger
6.4%Total votes: 47
Nothing could slow him down.

Fredette was playing his normal game, cross overs and pulling up from way behind the arc; splitting double teams and hitting floaters over defenders.

Fredette was simply amazing.

In the biggest game in Mountain West Conference history, Fredette outscored his entire team.

The Marriott center was the loudest place that I've ever been in for 40 minutes. Even NBA playoff games at Energy Solutions Arena can't rival the noise that was steady at the Marriott Center.

The floor literally was shaking after big three-point buckets by Fredette. It was the fans that carried Fredette throughout the game and they gave him a deserved standing ovation as he exited the floor after the game was out of reach.

As he walked to the bench, the crowd summed this night into one phrase as they chanted in unison, "You got Jimmered, you got Jimmered!" It was simply amazing.

Let me know your thoughts on BYU and their tournament chances this year. This is my first bleacherreport article, so spread the word!

Sports Stories You Can't Miss In 2011

2011 looks to be an exciting sports year for all of us. Storylines carrying over from 2010 and new stories are enough to keep any sports fan on the edge of their seat. Along with my annual New Year’s Resolutions to lose weight and get better grades, I’ve tacked on “watch all of the biggest sports moments in 2011.” That could be tough to narrow it down, to help I made a list of my can’t miss stories.

STORIES YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS IN 2011

1) Carmelo Anthony- I personally thought that the Melo saga in Denver would be over before the New Year, but since it’s not, we all get to enjoy it in 2011. LeBron James made ‘the decision’ this last summer, and now we get to watch Anthony shape the face of the NBA. Not only has he demanded a trade, but he’s demanded a trade to the New York Knicks. Should he be traded to the Knicks, the entire face of the NBA would change… again. Free Agency has already enabled players to move wherever they please, but to be able to demand a trade to a specific team would seemingly eliminate the small market teams in the league.

2) Super Bowl XLV- Does this really come as a surprise? It’s the Super Bowl, the biggest football game of the year. This year is sure to be a can’t miss game simply because of the venue. The game will be held in Dallas at the recently finished Cowboys Stadium. Jerry Jones has built the most amazing football stadium in history holding over 100,000 people. I’m reminded of Darth Vader’s Death Star when I see the new Cowboys Stadium; the oversized ship that is virtually indestructible.

3) Baseball- As a huge baseball fan, there are a ton of stories that we could follow here, but I will try to narrow it to just a few. In Spring Training look for Chipper Jones coming off knee surgery, Derek Jeter’s relationship with the New York Yankees after a brutal off-season of contract negotiating, the Giants and their quest to repeat, Albert Pujols’ contract negotiations with the Cardinals and the health and stability of the already crowned World Series champs Philadelphia Phillies and their new pitching toy Cliff Lee. Whew, what a season. (There are tons of other stories still to come from baseball, but these are the main headlines.)

4) Mid-Majors in the Tourney- This year is the year of the mid-major. Already, on just January 13, there are two Mountain West teams ranked in the top 10. BYU and San Diego State are looking to make deep tournament runs and bring even more respect to the mid-major schools. Kawhi Leonard is dominating teams averaging over 15 points a game for SDSU and pre-season All-American Jimmer Fredette is leading the nation in scoring at 26.1 points per game. These two men look to lead their teams past the first weekend of the NCAA tourney this year. Also look out for Memphis, Gonzaga, Utah State, Butler and UNLV.

5) NBA Playoffs- Will Shaq bring a title back to Boston? Can Miami continue their dominant play and win LeBron his first title? Can the Lakers three-peat? Are they seemingly ageless Spurs for real? Or will a new team like Oklahoma City, Chicago or Utah step up to win the title? It looks to be an incredible NBA playoffs.

6) Jason Heyward- Yes, I’m a Braves fan. But even if Heyward wasn’t a Brave, he would be on this list. 18 HR last year with a thumb injury that plagued him for much of the year gives me hope and excitement for the 20-year old phenomenon. Lightly put, Heyward is a freak and with a little bit of luck in the health department, he looks to be a perennial all-star. Oh, and don’t forget Buster Posey too.

7) College Football’s new shape- 2011 will be the first year with significant conference changes. Utah and Colorado will be fun to see in the PAC-10. Nebraska’s integration to the Big 10 will be interesting as the football powerhouse looks to get back to the BCS. Don’t forget BYU, as the school steps into independence look for Jake Heaps and the young Cougar football team to make some noise.

8) Sydney Crosby- He’s having yet another career year for the Penguins. The superstar has already had a points game streak over 20 games this year and he continues to play at a top level. He hopes to lead the Penguins deep into the Stanley Cup playoffs yet again.

9) Tiger Woods- In his first full year since the divorce, Tiger looks to take over the #1 ranking in golf yet again. After a poor return to the sport at the end of last year, he hopes to return to the dominating and intimidating golfer that he was a few years ago. I’m pulling for Tiger to be the Tiger we all remember, but only time will tell.

10) Players Unions in the NBA, NFL and MLB- Can new Collective Bargaining Agreements be found in these sports? Both the NBA and the NFL are rumored to be in store for a lockout this year, but should a new CBA be reached, those leagues will carry on as normal. As the negotiations play out throughout the course of the year, be sure to pay close attention to the advancements that are made. I hope we all have our fingers crossed that these sports will be played next year.

2011 looks to be an incredible sports year. There are many more stories to be on the watch for including Stephen Strasburg, Jim Harbaugh in the NFL, and Michael Vick’s second year as a starting quarterback since being released from prison. This list consists of the stories that I will be sure not to miss, and I encourage you to do the same.

Let me know of any other stories I’ve overlooked. What stories are you looking forward to this year?

Sports: Why We Do It.

I had the opportunity to go to today’s BYU vs. Air Force basketball game in Provo. It was a great game as I got to sit and watch pre-season All-American Jimmer Fredette play and live up to the hype that surrounds him. As I sat there and enjoyed quality basketball, it wasn’t basketball stats or a bevy of 3-point shots that went through my head, but rather it was the simple beauty of sports. Names like Ken Griffey and Ken Griffey Jr. crossed my mind, Cal Ripken and Cal Ripken Jr., Bobby and Barry Bonds, Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. I couldn’t help but think of the relationships that those father-son combos have.

I was privileged to be at the game and to sit next to Jimmer Fredette’s family. It was an awesome experience for me as I got to hear his parents urge him on throughout the duration of the entire game, as I got to listen to his older brother coach, and pull hard for his little brother to succeed. As I sat there next to my own father for this experience, I couldn’t help but have a little moment as I realized that this is what sports were all about.

Sports, whatever the sport may be, have the ability to build relationships that other things can’t do. It can be that ‘common ground’ that fathers try to find with their teenage son. Or, like Mohammed and Laila Ali, the ‘common ground’ between a father and daughter. Sports that can help us become close with those who surround us.

The beauty of sports is there is no talent required to build these relationships. You don’t have to be a professional athlete in order to reach the level of bond that some the people I’ve previously mentioned share. As I sat there with the Fredette family, it struck me that how normal they were. They are every day looking people, they don’t have immaculate size or anything along those lines, they looked like any other person that was sitting in the Marriott Center. But when their son stepped on the court, there was an instant bond. Jimmer looked to his father when bad calls were made, when a few shots didn’t fall, it was his father that was the first to stand on his feet and say “Come on Jimmer! Keep shooting!” The bond that those two shared was incredible to witness.

That’s the beauty of sports; they are always there for us. It doesn’t matter how much knowledge a player has, they can always turn to their father for instruction. A relationship that has always intrigued me is between Chipper Jones and his father. Chipper has been surrounded by baseball geniuses his entire career, but when he is going through a slump, the first person that he calls is his dad. He will go take some batting practice with his dad and receive tips on how to fine tune his swing. Why does Chipper go to his dad? It’s not because his dad is a baseball super genius, but because of the bond that those two have grown between each other over the years. It truly is incredible the power that sports have.

As we start the new year, it is my hope that everyone can experience a little bit of the bond that comes from a true love of sports. Whether it be a father coaching a son, or a father/son combo playing together on the same team, or (like I frequently enjoy) a dad taking a son to a ball game, or even just sitting around the TV and watching SportsCenter’s Top Plays at the end of a work day, let us all enjoy the power that comes from sports.

"Bobby Cox Field"

AFTER 29 years of managing baseball, Bobby Cox has decided to call it quits. He will go down in history as one of the best managers in the history of baseball. Leading 16 teams that he managed to the playoffs, Cox left a legacy of greatness on the game of baseball.

It truly was his life, Cox first suited up for the New York Yankees the same day that Mickey Mantle played his last game. For 50 years, this has been Cox’s life, and now it’s over. The San Francisco Giants knocked the Braves out of the playoffs after a hard fought series, where each game was decided by just one run. In the midst of their victory celebration, the Giants recognized the magnitude of what just happened; they stopped their cheers, tipped their caps and watched as a baseball legend walked off the field for the last time in his career.

After the loss, Cox’s emotions got the best of him as hear tearfully addressed his team in the locker room. Chipper Jones, who has never played for any other manager, said that he had never seen Cox so emotional. As he addressed the team, and thanked them for everything that they had done for him this season, he left the locker room on multiple occasions, to gather his thoughts before speaking. Bobby Cox was really leaving.

Cox has won division titles, managed All-Star teams, won World Series Championships, but this was truly his finest hour; the first time he could look back on his career and reflect on everything he had done.

In today’s day and age, professional sports have become such a business that a permanent fixture in a locker room has become a rarity. Jerry Sloan has been with the Utah Jazz for over 20 years, Tony LaRussa has been with the St. Louis Cardinals for 15 years, and a few other coaches have had extended tenures with their teams, but rarely does it happen anymore. The money and business aspect of sports have changed the game from what it was generations ago. Stadiums are named after sponsors, bringing in more money for the organization. Coaches are fired in hopes that the next coach will be the key to turning around a season for a club. Coaches leave teams just like player free agents do, searching for a championship ring or a higher paying contract. Bobby Cox stayed, the Atlanta Braves kept him.

After turning around the Braves organization when he took over for the second time, Cox led the Braves to 15 playoff appearances. Although they only won one World Series title, the Braves were in the playoffs year in and year out. He revitalized baseball fever in Atlanta.

Teams across the league have been showing their love and appreciation for Bobby Cox throughout the entire year. As he’s been on his ‘farewell tour’ this season, he’s received awards, tokens of memory, fishing trips and cruises from many different teams. Cox is appreciative, although baseball always came first with him. As he walks away, the Atlanta Braves owe him one more thing. The Braves need to give Cox something that he can look at and cherish forever. Every time an Atlanta Braves player steps into Turner Field, they can see the championship flags hanging from the rafters and hang their hats on those championships. They have Bobby to thank for that. The Braves need to give Bobby something that he can hang his hat on, Turner Stadium should be renamed to Bobby Cox field.

Bobby never wanted to leave the game of baseball, and after all the things he did for this game, it will never leave him. The least that the Atlanta Braves organization can do to show their full appreciation and gratitude for Coach Cox is to give him the name of the field, and allow him to see his legacy every time he sees the stadium.

Thanks for a great 50 years Bobby. Baseball will miss you as it tries to find someone that can fill your giant shoes.

-Jeff Hansen

Gordon Hayward? Who?

With the ninth pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz select Gordon Hayward from Butler University.

Gordon Hayward? Seriously?

Who is Gordon Hayward and what convinced the Jazz to select him with the ninth pick in the draft? 6 feet 7 inches tall, 115 pounds isn’t exactly your NBA body style. (Ok, 200 pounds.) Jazz fans went into the draft hoping for the next big center to bring stability in the middle, a solid post game, and the defensive stability to stand up against the Lakers big men. That in mind, the boos directed toward Hayward and Jazz General Manager, Kevin O’Connor, may have been justified. But before we chalk Hayward up as the biggest Jazz draft flop since Nazr Mohammed , let’s find out exactly who this Gordon Hayward kid really is.

Gordon Hayward was born in Brownsburg, Indiana. He has a twin sister and according to his family, was born to play basketball. Growing up Hayward was a star basketball player, but lacked the size needed to be as successful as his talent would allow him to be. As a freshman in high school Hayward nearly walked away from the game after thinking to himself that he was too small to play the game. He and his sister were star tennis players and he was seriously considering leaving the game of basketball and pursuing his tennis career. Shortly after these thoughts, Hayward experienced a growth spurt that was enough to persuade him to stick with his basketball career. It paid off, Hayward committed to Butler University on a basketball scholarship.

At Butler, Hayward shined as a star basketball player. As a true freshman he made an instant impact averaging just over 13 points on a Butler team that was returning four starters from the year before. His sophomore year he only improved, averaging 15.5 points a game and leading the little school from just outside Indianapolis to the Final Four in the NCAA Tournament. Hayward nearly led Butler to the National Championship, but just missed a shot from half court to win the game at the buzzer.

Gordon Hayward left Butler University, got drafted by the Jazz and moved here to Utah. Living on his own for the first time, Gordon Hayward brought his own personal butler to come to Utah with him, his Dad. Growing up, Hayward was all about basketball, like most NBA players. Somewhere along the line however, young Hayward never learned how to cook, pay bills or do laundry. Not even being able to cook well enough to feed himself, Hayward has brought his Dad from Indiana to Utah to live with him and help him figure out how to live on his own.

As an NBA basketball player, we have yet to find out much about Hayward. Some Jazz fans are believers and feel that Hayward is the next NBA star, others are still skeptical and have their doubts about why the Jazz didn’t select someone bigger or more athletic player, all Jazz fans however, are anxious to see how the young kid plays.

Deron Williams says he’s more athletic than people give him credit for, Jerry Sloan says his basketball IQ is far beyond his years. Who is this kid? What kind of player is he? My guess, Gordon Hayward turns heads and surprises people as Kevin O’Connor once again proves himself as one of the best general managers in the game.

The Face of the NFL

Braylon Edwards screwed up. After a big win against the New England Patriots, the New York Jets star wide receiver was charged with a DUI. Yes, this is old news; I’m not breaking anything exciting here. Braylon Edwards’ mistake is not what I’m speaking out on, but rather the events that shortly followed his trouble with the law.

To illustrate my point we need to backtrack to the offseason. Ben Roethlisberger was charged with sexual assault of a young girl in an Atlanta night club. The charges were eventually dropped, but that didn’t stop Commissioner Roger Goodell from suspending Roethlisberger for the first six games of the Pittsburgh Steelers schedule. The suspension was later reduced to just four weeks after Roethlisberger completed some requirements that Goodell set in place. So in a nutshell, Roethlisberger was suspended for four weeks after NOT being convicted of sexual assault.

Braylon Edwards was very obviously guilty of breaking the law when the breathalyzer showed that Edwards’ BAC was 0.16%, double the New York limit. Goodell took no disciplinary action on Edwards. What is Roger Goodell thinking? How can he suspend Roethlisberger, but not Edwards?

Yes, Roethlisberger had previous problems with the law so he was a multiple offender, but does that really make him more worthy of a suspension than Edwards? This was the first time that Edwards himself had been charged with a DUI, but he had been with teammates when they had been pulled over and charged with a DUI.

Last year, Edwards’ former teammate Dante Stallworth was involved in a car accident that took the life of a human being. Stallworth was under the influence of alcohol. Edwards was in the car with him at the time of the accident.

Goodell stated that Roethlisberger was suspended because he hurt the image of the league by simply being involved in a sexual assault case. How Edwards didn’t hurt the image of the league is beyond me. Maybe Goodell and the NFL are going for an image that condones drunk driving. Of the last 14 NFL players to be charged with a DUI, Edwards was the only that received any disciplinary action at all, and it wasn’t sanctions coming from the NFL, it was from the Jets front office. The Jets suspended him for one quarter. Yes, one quarter.

Roger Goodell needs to get his priorities in order. He made a very strong stance when he chose to suspend Roethlisberger, but has been wishy-washy to say the least when DUI issues arise. The Government found Roethlisberger innocent, while Edwards was guilty, and Stallworth took a life. What do you think hurts the image of the league?

-Jeff Hansen

What do you think Roger Goodell should have done? Let me know!!

Bumps and Bruises Bailout Bronco?

In all sports, the injury bug ruins people's seasons. Just this season, rookie phenom Stephen Strasburg suffered a torn ligament in his elbow, forcing him to have season ending Tommy John surgery. Approximately 12 months of rehab have put a severe halt to his career and have many wondering whether or not he will live up to the hype that he has had in recent months because of injury.

The injury bug hits every team in one way or another, usually creating havoc for the team as they scramble to try and find people to fill in for the injured player. But this year, the injury bug could be a blessing for the BYU Cougar football team.

Bronco Mendenhall, head coach at BYU, has been under scrutiny for his decision at the end of fall camp to go with a two quarterback system. Most critics disagreed with the decision, and most critics have been proven right. After the Cougars opening game against Washington, Mendenhall looked like a genius, one who knew that he could beat the odds and have a successful quarterback system. After embarrassing losses to Air Force and Florida State, the critics have been proved to be right. The two quarterback system has been horrible for BYU, sporting the lowest passer efficiency rating they've had under Bronco Mendenhall's tenure as Head Coach.

Riley Nelson, junior tranfer quarterback from Utah State, has got all three starts for BYU while highly recruited freshman Jake Heaps has alternated series with Nelson. The game against Florida State started out like the first two weeks of the season, Nelson starting and Heaps coming in for the second series. The third series, it was Nelson again, and he suffered a hard hit as he scrambled on a play. That hard hit, and that series that led to a BYU punt, proved to be the last series for Riley Nelson, at least for this year. Nelson suffered a torn ligament in his shoulder, that a Tuesday MRI showed would require season ending surgery. With 5-6 months of rehab time needed, Nelson's season, and perhaps his career as a quarterback at BYU are over.

While nobody likes to see an injury, this particular injury could have come just in time for Bronco Mendenhall to salvage what's left of the 2010 season. The two quarterback system wasn't working and Mendenhall was wishy-washy at best in his choice in quarterback. This injury has forced Jake Heaps into THE guy for the Cougar football team.

This decision was what many Cougar fans have been hoping for all year long. Jake Heaps is a very talented freshman that is mature beyond his years. He has potential to join the club of elite Cougar quarterbacks. Popular opinion among most BYU fans, is that Riley Nelson and Mendenhall's decision to alternate him with Heaps, was the only thing that was holding Heaps, and the rest of the team down. The old football adege, "when you have 2, you have none" has been said many times by those following BYU football. Well, now BYU has 1, and 1 is more than none.

Heaps has the confidence needed to be a successful quarterback, saying after the Florida State game, that BYU's goal is to "go 10-0 from this point on". Many think that Heaps is the traditional BYU quarterback, the rocket passer, while Nelson was an unconventional option quuarterback. Many say that the switch to a full time rocket passer will solve many of the problems on the offensive side of the ball for the Cougars. Receivers will be able to build some continuity with Heaps, and thus (in theory) start catching more balls. One leader has been picked, and confidence from a coaching staff goes straight to Heaps, and that might just be the right formula for the Cougars to still end this season on a high note.

Riley Nelson's unfortunate injury, might prove well for the Cougars. It could potentially save Mendenhall from even more scrutiny from the media and fans, and help BYU rally to a strong finish to the rest of the season. We wish Riley Nelson a fast and speedy recovery, and wish Jake Heaps the best of luck as he takes the reigns of a prestige position at a prestige university.

-Jeff Hansen

Let me know what you think of the QB situation at BYU! Is this enough to salvage the season?