Jimmer Fredette, Taysom Hill, Danny Ainge Watch BYU Take On VCU
Mar 20, 2025, 2:21 PM
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
DENVER – A trio of BYU superstars were in attendance as the Cougars tipped off their 32nd NCAA Tournament appearance against the VCU Rams on Thursday.
Jimmer Fredette, Taysom Hill, and Danny Ainge all watched from right behind BYU’s bench.
BYU royalty right here: Jimmer Fredette, Taysom Hill, and Danny Ainge in the background. pic.twitter.com/7AUWCCTBoB
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 20, 2025
Fredette played for BYU from 2007-11. As a senior in 2011, the guard led BYU to a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament and an appearance in the Sweet 16.
His senior season performance earned him the Naismith Player of the Year award and the consensus 2011 National Player of the Year.
During his time at BYU, Fredette averaged 18.7 points per game on 45.5 percent shooting, including 39.4 percent from beyond the arc. He played in 139 games for the Cougars.
RELATED: Jimmer Fredette Announces March Madness Bracket
Jimmer’s Bracket! 🎯
Duke 🏆
BYU 👉 Sweet 16
Two 13 over 4’s 👀#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/11rSKGjd1i— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 18, 2025
Hill played in four seasons for the Cougars from 2012 to 2016.
During his college career, Hill threw for 6,929 yards, 43 touchdowns, and 31 interceptions. He ran for 2,815 yards and 32 touchdowns.
After going undrafted, Hill signed a free-agent deal with the Green Bay Packers. Before the regular season, Hill was waived by the Packers and picked up by the Saints. Since then, Hill has become a key piece of New Orleans’ offense.
RELATED: Taysom Hill, Blake Freeland In Attendance At BYU-Utah Basketball Game
Former BYU stars Blake Freeland and Taysom Hill are in the building. pic.twitter.com/9Hup8twyFM
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 9, 2025
Ainge played college basketball in Provo from 1977 to 1981.
Ainge went on to have a successful professional career and followed that with an even more impressive career as an NBA executive. He is currently the CEO of basketball operations for the Utah Jazz.
BYU Opens March Madness Run Against VCU Rams
BYU basketball opens up its NCAA Tournament run against the VCU Rams in the East Region today.
Following a 24-9 season and a semifinal appearance in the Big 12 Championship, the Cougars earned a 6-seed in the NCAA Tournament. Seen by many as a lower-seeded team with the potential for a deep run, BYU will first have to make it through the 28-6 Rams.
VCU starts three fifth-year seniors and often relies on their defense to suffocate opposing teams. They finished the year ranked 23rd in KenPom defensive efficiency. They are also No. 1 in the nation in effective field goal percentage.
It is far from an easy test but BYU is still favored by most outlets.
BYU Gameday Reading
- BYU vs. VCU: Three NCAA Tournament Game Day Thoughts
- Score Prediction For BYU’s NCAA Matchup Against VCU
- VCU Coach Ryan Odom Shares Thoughts On NCAA Matchup With BYU
- Unloading The Notebook From BYU’s Open NCAA Tournament Day In Denver
- VCU Star Max Shulga Reflects On Past History Against BYU
- BYU’s Kevin Young Compares NCAA Tournament Stage To NBA Finals
- Will BYU Make An NCAA Run? College Basketball World Weighs In
- BYU’s Richie Saunders Scores Big With Tater Tot NIL Deal
Follow BYU and the NCAA Tournament on KSL Sports
The Cougars received a No. 6 seed in the East Region and will open the “Big Dance” in Denver on Thursday against No. 11 seed VCU.
Follow the BYU Cougars with KSL Sports here.
