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NEW ORLEANS - Less than 24 hours remain until the BYU Cougars face Florida in the Sweet 16, which is being heralded as the most anticipated BYU basketball game in 30 years.
Jimmer Mania has arrived in the Big Easy as the Cougars hope to reach the Elite 8 for the first time since Danny Ainge led them that far in 1981.
"People always underestimate everyone on their team," Gator forward Chandler Parsons said. "It's not just Jimmer Fredette. The other guys are very good and understand their role."
The Cougars wrapped up one last workout Wednesday in advance of the big game Thursday evening against the second-seeded Gators.
Florida knows first hand how good BYU superstar Jimmer Fredette is after they got jimmied in double overtime in the first round of last year's tournament. Fredette scored 37 points as BYU beat Florida 99-92.
Once again, Fredette is creating a lot of buzz.
"I think he's a great story for a lot of young kids for all of the right reasons," Florida Head Coach Billy Donavan said. "Here is a kid who really has put the time and the work in. I think the one thing you can say about him is that every year he has been in college he has gotten better."
Coming up ...
KSL 5 News at 10
Coming up on KSL 5 News at 10 we'll have more on how an injury to a key Florida player tasked with guarding Jimmer could play a role in the outcome of the game."He's gotten better; we've gotten better," Florida sophomore Kenny Boynton said of the upcoming matchup with Jimmer Fredette and the third-seeded Cougars. "Last year was a different team. This year we are coming in, we know he can score, we just have to shut down everyone else."
"People always underestimate everyone on their team," Gator forward Chandler Parsons told the media. "I think we've got a good understanding of how good they are, playing them last year. It's not just Jimmer Fredette. The other guys are very good and understand their role."
Florida downplayed last year's loss and say that's in the past and that they aren't looking for revenge. While that remains to be seen, they will certainly have their hands full containing Jimmer, something that has given coaches headaches all across the country.
Coming up on KSL 5 News at 10 we'll have more on how an injury to a key Florida player tasked with guarding Jimmer could play a role in the outcome of the game.
Story written by Jeremiah Jensen with contributions from Rob Jackson.
