Jimmer Fredette simply could not will the BYU Cougars to victory this time. Fredette has been arguably the most important player in the country this year, and one of the nation’s most prolific scorers. On this night, though, it was not enough as the Florida Gators simply were too big, too fast, and too good for the Cougars to handle.
Alex Tyus, the power forward for the Gators, had the game of his life. He only missed one shot on his way to what Gus Johnson called “a game of a lifetime.” Tyus finished with 19 points, 17 rebounds, two assists, and a block. Tyus’ game helped Florida to the Elite Eight where they await the winner of Butler and Wisconsin.
Why should you buy into the Gators?
Right now, I don’t think there is a more deadly starting unit than Billy Donovan’s crew. Erving Walker at the point guard position had 16 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Kenny Boynton had 17 points and five assists, and SEC player of the year Chandler Parsons filled the stat sheet with 16 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.
The Gators simply have too many options offensively, and too much length defensively for a team like BYU to beat them, even though it came down to the wire. The Gators are most definitely a team to buy into as the tournament progresses.