Jimmer Fredette scores 37 points in BYU win

Brigham Young University finally outplayed Florida with their speed. Jimmer Fredette and Michael Loyd Jr combined for 61 points, and they used the dribble penetration to open up outside shots and make it to the free throw-line.

Florida, in the end, couldn’t get to the inside as consistently as they would have hoped. In the second overtime, BYU forced them to shoot jump shots. With them not falling, BYU used their speed to run to the other end before Florida could set up their zone defense. The result led to a 12-5 run , and the Gators couldn’t recover.

Florida was there from the 3-pointer, but they strayed from their game of working the inside. The change can be credited to BYU’s defense. They forced Florida to beat them from the jump shot and, if Florida missed, they were able to run the floor and force Florida to defend without the set zone.

BYU wins in the first round for the first time in their last seven appearances 99-92 over Florida.

Double OT with Florida and BYU battling to the end

Florida had three more 3-pointers than BYU in regulation time, and the game went to overtime due to some long triples. But in the end, Florida used defense to put BYU out of rhythm.

BYU became a one-dimensional team with Jimmer Fredette becoming the only consistent threat, and Florida came back from 13 points down to send it into the first overtime.

Florida had two chances to take a six point lead. They failed, and BYU was able to use dribble penetration to get to the line twice, Michael Loyd Jr was the player who took over the first half and he hit four free throws to tie the game in overtime.

Loyd Jr was the savior of the overtime with six straight points, and we are heading to a second overtime.

Florida will need to stop Loyd Jr and Fredette from getting into the paint. Both players are killing Florida with dribble penetration.

BYU must defend under the rim. Florida is hitting 3-pointers, but they are hitting open players under the rim for easy 2-pointers. Florida needs the inside to score consistently, and BYU can disrupt their game by forcing one-on-one matchups. The game is tied at 81.

Florida must slow tempo and stop BYU from getting inside

During the first half, Brigham Young University looked like they were in trouble. Their zone defense wasn’t working, because Florida hit three consecutive 3-pointers. They didn’t know whom to defend, because Florida had a balanced attack with seven players scoring at least four points.

On offense, BYU wins with the speed in their guard position, which is the main reason I chose them over Florida. However, Florida was playing at their pace. Florida was dictating their tempo.

It was 28-21 Florida, and it wasn’t looking good for BYU. Then, Michael Loyd Jr came off the bench and scored ten straight points, including getting into the paint a few times. The run made it 31-28, and BYU hit a few more buckets on the outside after the defense collapsed to double Loyd Jr.

Florida will have to get back to their tempo in the second half, and they must continue to hit the 3-pointer. They only shot 31 percent all year, and BYU is giving them the long triple attempts. If they knock them down, BYU will have to change their defense again.

BYU must continue to use their speed to get inside and work inside-out. They have shooters who can get open if players like Loyd Jr can continue to penetrate the defense. BYU 35, Florida 33.