OK Utah Fans, it's time to ask this question:

[wally]

Now that Utah has moved over to the Pac-12...I don't think I view that in the same light anymore. What's good for Utah....is just good for Utah and creates separation between the two schools. I think I feel the buds of disdain forming as I type...

This is your chance to lay claim to a BCS school as a second allegiance, why all the animosity?

[BoylenOver]

I'm calling myself a Utah fan, since I cheered for this team during their tourney runs...

All blue goggles aside, do you really not think that Jimmer is the better college player? I would love for Jimmer to have the same pro career as Miller, but just looking at college performance, I think Jimmer takes it. Miller was a fantastic point guard, but he wasn't even the best player on his own team.

Who was better than Andre Miller in 97-98 and 98-99?

Also, here's a comparison:

http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/com...1=andre-miller

Jimmer's has more points per game; has a significantly better FT%; and has a better 3-pt%. By every other stat, Miller is superior. Let's also consider how deep those Utah teams advanced in the NCAA tournament (not to mention Utah going undefeated in conference play in 98-99).

Yeah, I'll take Miller over Jimmer.

[Borg]

This is your chance to lay claim to a BCS school as a second allegiance, why all the animosity?

It's simple. Utah AND BYU 'should' be in the Pac-12. NOT the Fluffs. I am jealous, petty, and pissed. It's not a very good combination really, but that's how I feel. Everything about the Pac-10 has "BYU" written all over it...and yet they STILL did not ask us to their party.

I hope we make every Pac-10 foe cry from this day forward when/if we play any of them.

I have searched high and low for a prophecy from Brigham Young for a latter day cursing that could be applied to all Pac-10 locals...but, alas....I have come up empty.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Who was better than Andre Miller in 97-98 and 98-99?

Also, here's a comparison:

http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/com...1=andre-miller

Jimmer's has more points per game; has a significantly better FT%; and has a better 3-pt%. By every other stat, Miller is superior. Let's also consider how deep those Utah teams advanced in the NCAA tournament (not to mention Utah going undefeated in conference play in 98-99).

Yeah, I'll take Miller over Jimmer.

Exactly, plus you also need to account for pace of play in evaluating each players stat line. BYU plays at a substantially faster pace than the Utes ever did. If Miller played in a Dave Rose style system he would have better stats than he had at Utah (but probably less success as Majerus is the better coach by far).

[MartyFunkhouser]

So looking at the stats posted even if you compare their best years Miller comes out ahead in most categories.

Plus, one thing that stands out in 1998-1999 Miller used 493 possessions the entire year and Jimmer has used 629. That right there shows the pace difference between the 2 teams is substantial.

[The_Tick]

Exactly, plus you also need to account for pace of play in evaluating each players stat line. BYU plays at a substantially faster pace than the Utes ever did. If Miller played in a Dave Rose style system he would have better stats than he had at Utah (but probably less success as Majerus is the better coach by far).

Funk...curious about the above comment....

What would Rose have to do in your mind to be considered the better coach? We already know Rose is the better person. Just curious...

[hostile]

Meh. BYU is poised for a deep run, but an NC is unlikely. When it comes down to brass tacks, a team needs more than one nba ready player on the roster to win the title. I would be happy for our cougar friends to experience the joy of the final four. The memories are still vivid.

This is pretty much where I am. I have great memories of that final four run. I would wish a similar blessing for my BYU friends. I like Dave Rose. I'd like to see him get some nationwide acclaim.

[Surfah]

Funk...curious about the above comment....

What would Rose have to do in your mind to be considered the better coach? We already know Rose is the better person. Just curious...

Teach Jimmer 6" defense.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Funk...curious about the above comment....

What would Rose have to do in your mind to be considered the better coach? We already know Rose is the better person. Just curious...

15 years of dominating a conference, multiple sweet 16 runs and a championship game appearance. Also, throw in a 2nd elite 8 appearance. Oh and I think he is going to have to win his next 10 or so first round games in the tournament.

[ERCougar]

So looking at the stats posted even if you compare their best years Miller comes out ahead in most categories.

Plus, one thing that stands out in 1998-1999 Miller used 493 possessions the entire year and Jimmer has used 629. That right there shows the pace difference between the 2 teams is substantial.

It's really unbecoming of me to continue this here, so sorry, but I can't resist...

All the stat comparisons narrow significantly when we're looking at senior years.

The only thing that the pace would really help for Miller is his scoring average, and it wouldn't close the gap. Jimmer doesn't crash the offensive boards because of pace, so rebounds are probably a wash (with regards to pace). I guess Miller's assists would go up, but they're completely different types of point guards, so assists are about as important as they are in a Stockton vs Magic comparison (I'm not comparing Jimmer to Magic...).

If we're talking athleticism, Miller wins, obviously. But if we look at pure basketball skills, I'll take Jimmer. Effective field goal percentage is several points higher, a significant difference that becomes even more significant when you consider that he's doing this when consistently double-teamed and/or guarded by the other team's best defender. I'm guessing that if you talked to opposing coaches, they'd rather game-plan around Miller than Jimmer (although I'm sure it's close).

This is sort of a silly argument, since both are fantastic players, and I probably can't fully get rid of my blue goggles on this. Whatever player you like, I certainly wouldn't a Jimmer-over-Miller argument "nonsense" (as I wouldn't call the converse "nonsense").

[ERCougar]

Teach Jimmer 6" defense.

If I had an offensive threat like Jimmer, I would have him take it easy on the defensive end too.

[ERCougar]

15 years of dominating a conference, multiple sweet 16 runs and a championship game appearance. Also, throw in a 2nd elite 8 appearance. Oh and I think he is going to have to win his next 10 or so first round games in the tournament.

Agreed.

[DrumNFeather]

I'm calling myself a Utah fan, since I cheered for this team during their tourney runs...

All blue goggles aside, do you really not think that Jimmer is the better college player? I would love for Jimmer to have the same pro career as Miller, but just looking at college performance, I think Jimmer takes it. Miller was a fantastic point guard, but he wasn't even the best player on his own team.

I will root for the Cougs for as far as I have them going in my bracket...or until I get sick of some insufferable fan lighting up my email or FB with Jimmer updates...I'm looking at YOU, Surfah.

[The_Tick]

15 years of dominating a conference, multiple sweet 16 runs and a championship game appearance. Also, throw in a 2nd elite 8 appearance. Oh and I think he is going to have to win his next 10 or so first round games in the tournament.

But we don't get to factor in anything after he left Utah right? Because from what I have read he can't coach a paper bag right now.

I would say that he is 1/3 of the way towards your dominating a conference benchmark.

This year will be our first Sweet 16.

I hope for Elite 8.

So let me ask you this...Utah Basketball was dominate for a 15 year run right? Nothing before or after Majerus? (I don't count the first Giac year, because that was still Maj.)

[SeattleUte]

Well, Being a BYU fan I just have to say it is incredibly early to be speculating a NC. You guys don't have to slit your wrists yet.

Yes. The current rankings don't have much to do with prospects in the tournament, except that the seedings may make the road a little easier or harder schedule-wise. By the way, in 1997 the Utes finished no. 2 in the regular season final polls (one or the other or both) and got a 3 seed. Many teams with gaudy records and high rankings, particularly from conferences with questionable competition, have gone down early.

This isn't knock on BYU. Just a common sense observation, agreeing with you. This is a worthless thread.