This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

San Diego • As he walked out of Viejas Arena on Saturday afternoon, BYU superstar Jimmer Fredette had to duck out of the way of a little bit of debris thrown at him from above by angry San Diego State fans — just paper wads and cups — as others lustily booed or chanted an off-color name.

They will never learn, will they?

Fredette said the antics of Aztec fans before, during and after BYU's resounding 80-67 win really didn't bother him — those that included their flood of derogatory comments and sexual innuendo concerning his girlfriend's Facebook page — but that steely stare in the final moments told another story.

"I just tried to block it out. I didn't really look up there [at the student section, known as "The Show"] until the end of the game when we won," he said. "I knew that there was going to be a great atmosphere and great fans. They love San Diego State basketball."

And they must hate The Jimmer now, more than ever, after he marked his final visit to the madhouse on Montezuma Mesa with 25 points, nine assists, three rebounds and two steals in guiding the Cougars to their third straight win at the "V."

Remember when SDSU's Lorenzo Wade said "that's impossible" in describing Fredette's 28-point outing here during his sophomore year? Fredette followed that with 33 as a junior and 25 as a senior, not to mention the 43 he dumped on the then-No. 4 Aztecs last month in Provo.

"We are just really, really excited to win this game," Fredette said. "It was a huge game. Obviously, two top-10 teams, at their place, where they [had] not lost at home. Everyone was picking San Diego State to win, so we were coming in as kind of underdogs … and that's why it was an emotional win."

Fredette was far from perfect, missing 15 of his 23 shots and committing his fourth foul with 5 minutes, 21 seconds remaining and the game's outcome still in doubt. But he also did enough to show a national television audience why he's a national Player of the Year candidate.

"I am telling you that he is as creative as any player I have ever played with as a player in college, or played against, or coached," said BYU coach Dave Rose. "I mean, he just knows how to find ways to get shots."

The Aztecs often defended Fredette with their forwards — 6-foot-8 Billy White and 6-7 Kawhi Leonard — way up top, but the senior still found ways to hurt the home team. Of course, the crowd booed every time he touched the ball.

"I think he thrives on [hostility from the crowd]," said his roommate, Charles Abouo. "I have played with him for three years. I have never seen a guy who loves playing on the road as much as he does. He loves the hostility. He just feeds off the energy from opposing crowds. … He does a tremendous job on the road — as well as anyone."

drew@sltrib.comTwitter: @drewjay —

Jimmer Fredette at San Diego State

Season and date FG-FGA FT-FTA Pts Result

Senior: Feb. 26, 2011 8-23 5-6 25 BYU, 80-67

Junior: Jan. 23, 2010 11-19 6-6 33 BYU, 71-69

Sophomore: Feb. 24, 2009 10-19 6-6 28 BYU, 69-59

Freshman: Feb. 23, 2008 1-4 0-0 3 SDSU, 69-65