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Jimmer’s hometown return delights everyone (except Vermont...)

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It’s official. Everyone in Glens Falls loves Jimmer Fredette.

BYU was technically the visiting team Wednesday night against Vermont, but anyone who followed the build up to Fredette’s return to his hometown knew his presence would sway the 6,300 fans in attendance the Cougars’ way. That’s what you do for local legends.

Not that BYU needed it. Fredette put on a show for the hometown crowd, scoring 26 points and displaying some nifty passing during an 86-58 win.

His reward was twofold: A victory and a massive ovation.

“I was expecting a pretty good ovation, but until you actually go through it, you don’t know what emotions you’re going to have,” Fredette told the Glens Falls Post-Star. “And it was just pure joy. I loved it.”

He made his first three shots, finished 9 of 19 from the field and reveled in every bit of his return. Vermont coach Mike Lonergan – whose team was off to its best start since 1956 – knew it was coming and was happy when the final whistle sounded. This one was a done deal before it began.

But hey, that’s how it goes. You gotta play to the crowd’s demands.

“I was proud for him, because he deserves it,” BYU coach Dave Rose told the Salt Lake Tribune. “I expected when we recruited him that he would be a terrific player for us. I didn’t know that I expected the national attention he would receive. He deserves it all.”

Want more? I’m also on Twitter @BeyndArcMMiller.