Several months ago, I sat outside watching a late autumn sunset. Instead of watching the bright orange disappearing on the western horizon, I looked eastward. Instead of seeing the light slowly fade into the world beyond, I watched the darkness slowly overtake the sky. Such were the feelings of every BYU fan last Thursday, including myself as I sat in the arena watching an "underdog" Butler team taking it to one of the "Big 6" programs. The great light of a glorious season was fading, and the darkness crept in quickly. The pain was too close, the wondering what might have been too agonizing, and the knowledge that the greatest BYU basketball player in 30 years would never suit up again was too real. But, as always happens, the sun rises the next day. We can now look back with fondness on the road that BYU took, and the values they taught us along the way.
BYU set a school record with 32 wins. They advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time in 30 years. They had the National Player of the Year that captivated the nation on a nightly basis. They made headlines by actually sticking to their code of conduct and suspending a starter and star, at the same time other schools gave single game suspensions for drug arrests or violence. The team, the school, and all of us were proud of what BYU accomplished on the court, in the media, and in the lives of the young men we cheered for.
Jimmer Fredette was a breath of fresh air. He handled himself with great aplomb in the midst of immense media scrutiny. He was mature, collected, and humble. He deflected praise to his teammates. He was a superstar, who put team first. He was always one to talk about the lessons he learned either on the court, from a coach that survived cancer, or in the harsh reality of prison ball (as a guest, not as an inmate, unlike too many college players...). His teammates loved him, even while he was perceived as being a "ballhog" from many outsiders, critics, and rivals.
Brandon Davies was suspended for an incident that wouldn't raise eyebrows at any other program. But the university suspended him, as their Code requires. The more amazing part: knowing the dire consequences of doing so, Brandon Davies reported himself. He was not caught. No one threatened to spill the beans. He self-reported, and the school self-punished. While this undoubtedly made the road to the Final Four tougher for BYU, they did what had to be done. And BYU fans can be proud of their team, their university, and Brandon Davies for their integrity.
BYU saw major contributions from under-sized, under-athletic, and un-coordinated players. A 6'6" 210 pound "Power" Forward threw his body around and pulled down 5 rebounds/game in the NCAA Tournament, off the bench. A true freshman, playing out of position, in his final game before getting shipped off to Siberia, pulled down 15 rebounds against a higher-seeded BCS Conference team with more height, weight, athleticism, and leaping ability. Unlikely heroes emerged in game after game throughout the season, even as Jimmer was the main headline. This was truly a great team. Everybody contributed in their own different way. While we all wish some had contributed more on the offensive side in the final game of the season, there can be no doubting the effort and the heart of this BYU Cougar team. They found ways to win games they had no business winning.
Now that the pain of "what might have been" is past, it is time to appreciate this team for what is was: the greatest BYU team of our generation. They played with toughness, they won with effort, and they lost with Honor. Thank you, BYU Cougars, for letting us come along with you for this wonderful journey, this was a special team, with special kids, led by a special man. I am proud to be a BYU Cougar.
That was some deep stuff in the first paragraph...I shed a tear at the end too. I might still be a little in the pain of "what might have been" seeing the final 4 lineup but I definitely agree that it was a great season. Kinda crazy to think it was the first time to the sweet 16 in my entire lifetime. Go cougs! Here's looking forward to football now!
ReplyDeleteIt couldn't have been said better. Thanks for the wrapup.
ReplyDeleteFor those of you who were infuriated at Reilly's article, read this, you'll feel better:
ReplyDeletehttp://firerickreilly.com/2011/03/29/the-one-where-a-byu-fan-confronts-rick-reilly-about-jimmer/