I know this has been talked about before, but Jimmer needs to get way more playing time, and is definitely good enough to be starting. I hope that everyone doesn't try to bring some useless stats into this discussion. He should be starting at point guard over Ben Murdock. He is better than him right now, and gives BYU the best chance at winning. I know he might make a couple more mistakes than Ben might, but he is also going to make more plays. Just a few thoughts about things he is better at than Murdock:

1. Shooting- He is definitely a better and more confident shooter than Murdock. Murdock is scared to take a shot.

2. Dribble penetration- This is huge!! This is the one thing that BYU really lacks, and Jimmer has shown that he can consistently get to the rack, where he is a good finisher, or can dish it or kick it out.

3. Defense- He really stays in front of his guy, and has a big enough body to man up.

4. Rebounding- For obvious reasons. Just bigger.

I have nothing against Murdock, but he was never supposed to be a starting point guard for a big time Division I program. Jimmer is the real deal, and should be starting.

While I love watching Jimmer, and would love to see him start, I think it would be more advantageous to have him start in front of Burgess. That way Jimmer can still get penetration as the 2 guard, and help bring the ball up when teams apply the pressure.

I mostly agree. However some of the times that he penetrates he puts up a lack luster shot. We saw all night against UNLV his +'s but also some of his -'s while penetrating. In a close game I think that I would perfer Murdock, that is provided that the rest of the team are shooting well. I don't expect or want him to score a lot of points that isn't his job but in a close game I want the more conservative approach at point guard.

I like Jimmer and think that by the end of his time at BYU he will be the best or close to the best point we have ever had because of how good he is already. In a close game however some of those ill advised shots like J.T.'s can hurt us.

BTW how about J.T.'s great assists in the UNLV game. I think that was his best game not in points scored obviously but in all other aspects of the game. I Live in a place where the mtn. doesn't exist so I could be wrong about this being his best game and for that matter about Jimmer / Murdock I've only seen a few games on BYU/TV and CSTV.

Burgess isn't as much of a liability as Murdock as far as overall gameplan. A team can literally avoid defending Murdock; Burgess at least deserves respect because he can shoot and create.

Murdock is an ideal point guard off the bench because he's solid and doesn't turn over the ball; but I think a good coach with time to game plan for BYU should let Murdock have a 10 foot cushion, because he cannot shoot.

There should be little argument by now that Jimmer can handle the ball and can pass (he may be our best passer as far as creating for others when he needs to).

I think the one issue holding him back is that Dave Rose has way more confidence in Murdock on the defensive side of the ball; and I can't argue with that.

But I too agree that Jimmer deserves a great deal more court time. He reminds me of a baby JJ Redick. If Trent comes back for his senior year, we're going to be a very very special team and Jimmer will be our starting 2 for the next 3 years. Lloyd and Morgan will be upgrades from Murdock and JT, Miles, Cummard and Trent will all be more seasoned. If there was ever a year we could earn a 3-4 seed it would be next year and we'd have a chance to make a final four run.

craigoscarson wrote:

Burgess isn't as much of a liability as Murdock as far as overall gameplan. A team can literally avoid defending Murdock; Burgess at least deserves respect because he can shoot and create.

Murdock is an ideal point guard off the bench because he's solid and doesn't turn over the ball; but I think a good coach with time to game plan for BYU should let Murdock have a 10 foot cushion, because he cannot shoot.

There should be little argument by now that Jimmer can handle the ball and can pass (he may be our best passer as far as creating for others when he needs to).

I think the one issue holding him back is that Dave Rose has way more confidence in Murdock on the defensive side of the ball; and I can't argue with that.

But I too agree that Jimmer deserves a great deal more court time. He reminds me of a baby JJ Redick. If Trent comes back for his senior year, we're going to be a very very special team and Jimmer will be our starting 2 for the next 3 years. Lloyd and Morgan will be upgrades from Murdock and JT, Miles, Cummard and Trent will all be more seasoned. If there was ever a year we could earn a 3-4 seed it would be next year and we'd have a chance to make a final four run.

Is there any word on TP coming or going next year?
I imagine a lot of it has to do with the camps and the performance in the tourney.
TP is the prototypical camp performer so I would not be terribly surprised to see him declare.
I don't think he declared last year, so he can still declare this year and return to college if things don't look too promising (assuming he doesn't sign an agent.)

I sort of liked how they worked the guard rotation on saturday a lot. With Murdock, Lloyd, and Ferdette all getting time at the point. It allows Jimmer to get more PT, and it rests the people playing point more. It also provides some matchup problems as teams have to adjust to different guard lineups, all of which bring something different to the table.

I also like Jimmer off the bench. Some times it's advantageous not to start your "best" 5 per say. And besides, it doesn't matter who starts the game, it matters who finishes it.