Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Travel To Intrastate Rival Pacific This Weekend
12/12/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 12, 2005
FRESNO, Calif. -
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Fresno State at Pacific
In its lone game of the week, the 2005-06 Fresno State basketball team will play intrastate rival Pacific on Sat., Dec. 17, 7:00 p.m. Opening the season by playing five of their first seven games on the road, the Bulldogs are playing their last non-conference road game outside of the Bracket Buster, which doesn't take place until Feb. 18. Fresno State is coming off a 1-1 week in which it defeated CS Northridge, 75-60, at home before dropping a 72-61 decision to the University of San Diego at the 2nd Annual San Diego SLAM.
Bulldogs Begin Five Game Homestand Next Week
Next Mon., Dec. 19, the Bulldogs will host Norfolk State at 7:00 p.m. That game will be the start of a five-game homestand as the `Dogs also will entertain UC Santa Barbara on Dec. 23, San Francisco on Dec. 29 and Iona on Jan. 3 before opening Western Athletic Conference play against Utah State four days later.
The Series vs. Pacific
In one of its all-time oldest series, Fresno State is meeting Pacific for the 149th time since the 1924-25 season. The two programs met last year in Fresno when the Tigers came away with an 88-77 victory on Dec. 21 at the Save Mart Center. UOP would go on to post a 27-4 record, capture the Big West Conference title with an 18-0 worksheet and advance to the NCAA Second Round (lost to Washington) before finishing with a final No. 22 ranking in the AP Poll. In the all-time series, Pacific owns a 76-72 edge.
The Series vs. Norfolk State
Fresno State is unofficially meeting Norfolk State for the second time. While the all-time series is 0-0, the Bulldogs notched a 107-80 win over the Spartans at home on Dec. 30, 2000. That win was vacated, however, after the use of an ineligible player.
Enjoying Life at Home
Fresno State is 2-0 at the Save Mart Center for the second time in three years. Last season the Bulldogs opened their home schedule with wins over Maryland-Eastern Shore and Grand Canyon. As the `Dogs look to match their best home start at the Save Mart Center (4-0, 2004-05 season), they will have the opportunity to equal or better that start when they begin a five-game homestand next week. At home, Fresno State is averaging 77.5 points and is holding its opponents to 66.5. While three Bulldogs are averaging double figures at home the team is outshooting and outrebounding their counterparts.
Pacific Notebook (6-3)
Pacific is coming off a 2-0 week in which the Tigers defeated San Jose State, 81-63, at home before traveling to Western Kentucky and notching a 91-75 win. With a 3-3 mark in its last six games, UOP will play one game this week as it hosts Fresno State on Sat., Dec. 17. The Tigers have two players in double figures as senior forward Christian Maraker and senior guard Johnny Gray are leading the way. Maraker is averaging 18.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game while Gray is averaging 12.2 points while shooting a team-best 43.6 percent (17-39) beyond the arc. A First Team All-Big West performer, United States Basketball Writers Association District 9 pick and a CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major All-American a year ago, Maraker garnered Big West Conference Player of the Week honors on Dec. 5 after posting back-to-back double-doubles in a 75-71 overtime road win over San Francisco and a 77-70 loss at home to then No. 20 Nevada. In those two games he averaged 17.5 points after tallying 14 points and 10 rebounds versus USF and 21 points and 10 boards against the Wolf Pack. Overall, Pacific is averaging 76.0 points while holding its opponents at 65.0. The Tigers also are shooting 48.9 percent from the field, 37.1 percent in 3-pointers and .731 percent from the free throw line. While Pacific is coming off its 12th regular-season Big West Conference title, it recorded the most wins in school history (27) last year as the Tigers have won at least 25 in each of the last two seasons. In addition, Pacific has posted a 169-52 (.767) home court record since 1995 and is 60-12 against non-conference opponents at home since 1989. This season, the Tigers are 1-1 versus non-conference foes as they are making their third home appearance of the season this weekend. In the Big West Conference preseason polls, Pacific was picked second in the coaches' and media poll, behind CS Fullerton. Maraker was the lone Tiger on the preseason all-conference team. In the Dec. 5 Mid-Major Top 25 poll by CollegeInsider.com, Pacific is ranked No. 21. Nationally, UOP has recorded the fewest losses in the nation since Jan. 1, 2004. Behind Illinois, the Tigers are 53-9 in their last 62 games as they are ranked in front of Kentucky, Oklahoma State and Duke. Head coach Bob Thomason, a former Pacific basketball standout, is 292-216 (.575) in 18 years at UOP. As the second coach in the Big West Conference to accumulate 275 wins, he received USBWA District 9 Coach of the Year honors last season. At home, the Tigers have gone 110-25 (.820) under Thomason's direction.
Three Bulldogs Ranked in First Release of NCAA Statistics
In the first set of NCAA Men's Basketball statistics (Dec. 5), three Bulldogs are nationally ranked while the team is listed among the nation's top 50 in five categories. Ja'Vance Coleman (Fresno, Calif.) is ranked in two: No. 26 in points per game (21.0) and No. 33 in 3-points per game (3.3). Kevin Bell (Los Angeles, Calif.) is ranked No. 13 in assists per game (6.5) while Quinton Hosley (Harlem, N.Y.) is listed 10th in steals per game (3.8). As a team, the Bulldogs are 16th in 3-pointers/game (9.0), 19th in steals/game (11.0), 32nd in assists/game (17.5), 36th in free throw percentage (74.5) and 42nd in scoring offense (79.5).
CS Northridge in Review
Hosley scored a game-high 24 points and game-best 13 rebounds while Bell added nine points and nine assists to power Fresno State to a 75-60 victory over CS Northridge. Hosley's performance, which included 13 rebounds of which six were offensive boards, made up for the near-10-minute absence of Coleman, who went down after being poked under his eye while fighting for a loose ball with 5:28 left in the first half. Coleman didn't return until 17:09 in the second half, and came back with his right eye swollen and nearly shut. After trailing 38-26 at halftime, CS Northridge (4-3) held Fresno State (4-1) scoreless for the first 4:20 in the second half and came as close as 49-42 on Jonathan Heard's fastbreak jumper with 9:40 remaining. Fresno State, however, responded with a 24-12 run to build its lead to 73-54, engineered by Hosley's inside play and constant uptempo push from Bell, who had five assists and a coast-to-coast layup and a 3-pointer during the stretch. Coleman, along with Donovan Morris, each finished with 14 points. CS Northridge, which lost two straight games for the first time, got 20 points from Mike Efevberha. Heard added 13 points and three steals. CS Northridge came into the game averaging 24.5 forced turnovers but got Fresno State to commit only 14 turnovers as the Matadors rarely pressed or trapped. Northridge had 22 turnovers.
San Diego in Review
Nick Lewis scored 29 points to lead San Diego to a 72-61 victory over Fresno State in the first game of the San Diego SLAM at Cox Arena. The win was the sixth in a row for the Toreros (7-2), while Fresno State dropped to 4-2. Lewis, who went 9-for-15 from the floor, scored his team's first 10 points in the second half as San Diego boosted its 39-34 halftime lead to 54-46. Fresno State pulled within three points at 54-51 with just over six minutes to play but Lewis and Corey Belser sparked a 14-5 run to finish off the Bulldogs. Belser had 14 points and 10 rebounds. Lewis had eight rebounds and was 9-for-11 from the free-throw line. Hosley, who posted his third straight double-double, led Fresno State with 18 points while sharing top honors in rebounds (10). Dwight O'Neil had 13 for his third double figure game of the season while Hector Hernandez scored a career-best 12 points while playing in a career-high 36 minutes. San Diego was 17-for-23 from the free-throw line, Fresno State 17-for-32.
WAC in Review
Last week Boise State went 1-1 after dropping an 80-77 decision on the road to BYU before bouncing back with a 70-61 home victory over Sacramento State ... Hawai'i recorded a 58-52 road win over Wisconsin-Milwaukee ... Idaho, which has played four straight home plays, is coming off a 0-2 week with losses to Idaho State (78-71) and Portland State (61-59) ... Louisiana Tech went 1-1 on the road last week with a 68-52 victory over Texas Tech and a 63-47 loss to Southern ... No. 17/22 Nevada had its six-game win streak halted as the Wolf Pack went 1-1 with a 78-51 victory over UC Davis before losing 67-56 to No. 16/18 UCLA at the John Wooden Classic ... New Mexico State also went 1-1 with a loss at San Francisco and a 78-63 victory over Chicago State ... Utah State was the only conference team to go 2-0 as it recorded a 79-61 home win over Middle Tennessee State and a 69-60 road win over Weber State.
Bell & Hosley are WAC Leaders
Bell continues to lead the WAC in assists (6.67) while sharing top honors in assist/turnover ratio (2.35) and Hosley is tops in steals (3.17). In addition, Bell is second in steals (2.17), No. 4 minutes played (35.00) and 10th in free throw percentage (.692). Hosley is listed among eight other WAC categories: No. 2 rebounds (9.0), No. 2 offensive rebounds (4.00), No. 2 minutes played (36.17), No. 4 scoring (19.3), No. T4 blocks (1.33), No. T5 defensive rebounds (5.00), No. 9 field goal percentage (.426) and No. 9 free throw percentage (.725).
Coleman and Cesar Also Ranked in the WAC
Coleman is listed in the WAC's top 10 in five categories: No. 2 3-point made (2.67), No. 5 scoring (17.3), No. 4 3-point field goal percentage (.381), No. 8 steals (1.50) and No. 10 field goal percentage (.400) while Renato Cesar is No. T4 in blocks (1.33).
Top Performances in the WAC
Hosley has scored the third-highest number of points in the WAC this season after a 29-point effort against Cal Poly on Nov. 23. In addition, his six steals against Oregon State is a WAC season-high. Also, Bell has the WAC's top performance in assists with 11 against Buffalo. As a team, the Bulldogs have posted the most blocks in a game with eight versus CS Northridge while sharing WAC game-high honors in 3-pointers (12 vs. Buffalo) with Boise State and steals (15 vs. Oregon State) with New Mexico State.
Fresno State in the WAC Statistics
Fresno State currently leads the WAC in three categories: blocked shots (5.67), steals (11.33) and turnover margin (+4.33). In addition, the Bulldogs are second in two marks: scoring offense (75.7) and 3-point field goals (8.50) and third in two: assists (16.33) and assist/turnover ratio (1.02).
A Look Back
Fresno State collected 10 or more steals for the fifth time out of six games played this season ... Ranked 19th nationally in steals per game, the Bulldogs had 14 against Cal Poly, 15 versus Oregon State, 10 against Iowa State, 13 versus CS Northridge and 11 against San Diego ... The Bulldogs had a season-high eight blocks against CS Northridge ... Fresno State also posted its first first half lead versus the Matadors when it led 38-26 ... The 38 points scored in the first half against CSUN is the most by the `Dogs to date ... The 75-60 win over CSUN gave the Bulldogs a +15 scoring margin - their best on the season ... Improving to 2-0 at home, Fresno State saw three players tie Save Mart Center marks against CS Northridge ... Quinton Hosley tied the arena mark for field goals (9) and field goals attempted (21) while Ja'Vance Coleman tied the record for steals (4) ... Fresno State recorded its second-highest number of rebounds (36) against CSUN and San Diego ... On the season, the Bulldogs have twice as many blocks (34-15) and steals (68-33) than their opponents ... While the `Dogs are 2-2 in their last four, four are averaging double digits: Hosley (18.5 ppg), Coleman (13.5 ppg), O'Neil (11.8 ppg) and Morris (11.3 ppg).
Top `Dog
For the second straight week, Hosley led the Bulldogs on both ends of the court as he notched his sixth straight double figure scoring game, his third 20-point game and his third consecutive double-double. Last week he helped the Bulldogs to a 75-60 home victory over CS Northridge where he scored a game-high 24 points and a game-best 13 rebounds, six of which were offensive. In addition, Hosley tied the Save Mart Center record for field goals (9) and field goal attempts (21). Against San Diego at the 2nd Annual San Diego SLAM, he posted a team-high 18 points while sharing game-high honors in rebounds (10). He also tied his season-high in blocks (2) against the Toreros. In both games last week, Hosley notched double-doubles as he totaled 42 points (21.0 ppg) and 23 rebounds (11.5 rpg). As the team's top scorer and rebounder in the last three games, he is averaging 21.3 points (64), 11.0 rebounds (33 - 12 offensive; 21 defensive) and 2.7 steals (8) per game while shooting 78.3 percent (18-23) from the free throw line and 47.8 percent (22-46) from the field as he has directed the team to a 2-1 mark. On the year, Hosley is the Bulldogs' leading player in seven categories: minutes (36.2), field goal percentage (42.6, 40-94), free throw percentage (72.5, 29-40), rebounds (54, 9.0), blocks (8, 1.3), steals (19, 3.2) and points (116, 19.3).
Keeping Track
Several returning Bulldogs are approaching or have reached milestones: 1). In his 29th career game versus CS Northridge, Bell notched his 100th career assist and currently has 109 to date
2), In 36 career games, Coleman is one assist shy of his 100th and two 3-pointers short of 100 in his career. While he currently is shooting a 3-point career mark of 34.0 percent (98-288), Coleman is nine 3-point attempts shy of cracking the school's top 10 list (No. 10, Dave Barnett, 53 GP, 297 FGA)
3). In 35 career games, Morris is two 3-pointers away from his 100th trey. In addition, he is shooting a career mark of 42.9 percent in 3-pointers (73-170) -- a mark that would rank him No. 2 all-time with two full years at Fresno State
4). In his 35th career game versus CS Northridge, Hernandez collected his 100th rebound and currently has 111 to date
5). In 36 career games, O'Neil is nearing the 100-career rebound plateau as well as he has 91 entering the week
Not To Go Unnoticed
Morris had his string of three straight double figure games come to a halt against San Diego but in this stretch he averaged 14.0 points. He also had a season-high three steals against CS Northridge. In his last four games, Morris is averaging 11.3 points per game as he has collected 10 3-pointers and is shooting 43.5 percent (10-23) beyond the arc ... Hernandez had a career-high 12 points and played a career-high 36 minutes against San Diego after posting a career-best seven rebounds versus CS Northridge. He also made his first 3-pointer of the season against USD as he went 2-for-4. In his last four games, Hernandez is averaging 7.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game ... Hosley had a season-high 13 rebounds and recorded his third 20-point game against CS Northridge. He followed up with his fourth double-double against San Diego after recording 18 points and 10 rebounds. In his last four outings, Hosley is averaging 18.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game while shooting 79.4 percent (19-24) from the free throw line ... O'Neil was the second leading scorer to Hosley last week as he averaged 10.5 points for the Bulldogs. In his last four games he is averaging 11.8 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.
What Can You Say?
Sparking the Bulldogs in the second half with five consecutive buckets that led to 14 points against Iowa State, Coleman tied his season-high mark in 3-pointers (5) and rebounds (5) while matching his career-best in blocks (1) against the Cyclones ... While tallying 20 points against ISU, he also recorded his third 20-point game out of six games played this season ... Dating back to last year, Coleman has recorded 11 double figure scoring games out of 12 and has scored 211 points for an average 17.6 points per game ... Also dating back to last year, Coleman has tallied seven 20-point games in his last 16 outings and has posted 347 points for an average of 21.7 points per game ... Dating back to last season, he tied his career high mark with four 20-point games in which he totaled 101 points for an average of 25.2 points per game ... Last season, he also had four consecutive 20-point games and averaged 24.0 points per game.
Cleveland's Coaches Corner
Every Tuesday evening, with the exception of two dates, fans can catch Coach's Corner during the sports broadcast on KMPH TV 26. Emceed by KMPH sports director Ralph Wood, upcoming games, a review of the week past and what's going on in WAC basketball among other items in the world of collegiate basketball will be discussed.
Fresno State on ESPNU's Pride of the Program
Beginning Mon., Nov. 14, every ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU men's college basketball telecast will include an ESPNU's Pride of the Program segment celebrating a historic moment from each of the 326 Division I programs in alphabetical order. From Air Force to Youngstown State, the moments will serve as a platform to recognize each school nationally. Fresno State is scheduled to be showcased on Jan. 5, 2006.
Dickie V's Super Seven by Conference
On Oct. 25, Dick Vitale released his super seven player by conference on ESPN.com. Coleman was one of the All-WAC Super Seven picked as he joined Jaycee Carroll (G, Utah State), Nick Fazekas (F/C, Nevada), Nate Harris (F, Utah State), Coby Karl (G, Boise State), Paul Millsap (F/C, Louisiana Tech) and Julian Sensley (F, Hawai'i). Athlon and Lindy's magazines both named Coleman to its preseason All-WAC teams.
WAC Preseason Polls Have `Dogs Among Top Five
The WAC announced its men's basketball preseason polls on Wed., Oct. 12, and Fresno State was picked to finish among the top five in both the coaches' and media preseason polls. In the coaches' poll, the Bulldogs were tabbed fifth and received 38 points. In the media poll, the Bulldogs were picked third as they received 139 points.
Coleman Named to Preseason All-WAC Teams
After being named to the 2005 WAC All-Newcomer team, Coleman gets his first preseason All-WAC nod when he was selected to both the coaches and media preseason All-WAC Teams. On the coaches' preseason 10-member team, Coleman was a first team pick and one of four guards selected overall. On the media's preseason team, he was one of five players named.
Fourth Straight Bracket Buster Appearance for `Dogs
For the fourth year in a row, the WAC has partnered with ESPN and several other top college basketball conferences for Bracket Buster Saturday, a one-day men's basketball event matching potential NCAA tournament hopefuls against each other. All nine WAC teams will be involved in this year's event to be held on Feb. 18, 2006. The match-ups will be determined by ESPN in conjunction with the conferences on Sun., Jan. 29. Fresno State is making its fourth consecutive appearance and is on the road this season. The Bulldogs are 0-3 in Bracket Buster play with losses at No. 17 Creighton (67-66, 2003), and East Tennessee State (66-62, 2004) and Buffalo (52-49, 2005) at home.
New York, New York
For the second time in Bulldogs' history, Fresno State boasts two New Yorkers on one roster in Tchana and Hosley. The first time that two New Yorkers played together at the same time was the 1997-98 season (Larry Abney from Nyack and Rafer Alston from Queens). Both Tchana and Hosley are the seventh and eighth New Yorkers to play at Fresno State.
International Flair
A native of São Bernardo, Brazil, Cesar is the second Brazilian and 12th international Bulldog to play for Fresno State. Tchana was born in Cameroon, Africa, but emigrated to the United States as a sophomore in high school.
In the Single-Season School Annals
Coleman and Morris wrapped up their first year at Fresno State by ranking in the school's single-season annals. Coleman ranked No. 4 in 3-point attempts (246) and No. 9 in 3-pointers (82). Morris ranked No. 7 in 3-point field goal percentage after hitting 42.5 percent last season (62-146).
In the Final 2004-05 NCAA Statistics
In the final 2004-05 NCAA statistical rankings, Fresno State finished among the top 100 schools in four different categories: field goal percentage (68th, 41.5), three-pointers per game (76th, 7.2), assists (82nd, 14.9) and blocks (83rd, 4.0). Individually, Coleman finished 50th in the nation for three-pointers per game (2.7).
Bulldogs Top Draw in the WAC and Nation's Top 25
Fresno State was the WAC's top attendance leader and ranked No. 23 nationally last season. Averaging 11,835 and totaling 189,368, the Bulldogs set a single-date attendance mark of 13,250 versus then No. 25 Nevada -- the first nationally-ranked team to play at the Save Mart Center.
Bulldogs Sign One in Early Period
Cleveland signed his first Bulldog recruit in highly touted junior college player Eddie Miller (Pocomoke, Md.). Out of Pocomoke High School, Miller is a 6-2 1/2, 170-pound two guard who is currently playing for No. 1 preseason ranked Cecil Community College. Redshirting last season, Miller comes into his sophomore year ranked 41st among the top 65 junior college players in 2006 by JucoJunction.com. While CCC has produced 23 NCAA Division I players in the last eight years, Miller helped Cecil Community College capture the 2005 Region XX Hall of Fame Tip Off Tournament the first weekend of November. As a freshman in 2003-04 for the Seahawks, he averaged 18.3 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals in a 28-4 season. Leading Cecil to the Maryland JUCO State Championship title his rookie year, Miller also garnered all-tournament honors as the Seahawks defeated Allegany College (Md.). In his first season, Miller shot 46.0% (208-452) from the field and 40.5% (104-257) beyond the arc. The 104 three-pointers made already have Miller ranked among the school's top five career leaders. Averaging 27 minutes of play, he also converted 47 of 63 free throw attempts for a 74.6 free throw percentage and finished his rookie season with 567 points in 31 games played. While CCC never fell out of the top five in the NJCAA national poll during his first season, Miller was part of a record-setting squad as the Seahawks led the nation in scoring by averaging 104.9 points while holding opponents to 76 points. This was the second time that Cecil led the nation in scoring average as the Seahawks averaged 101.7 points during the 1997-98 campaign. As a high school prepster, Miller played two full years on the varsity squad and directed PHS to a state title his junior year and a state runner-up finish his senior season. In his two years as a varsity starter for the Warriors, Pocomoke went 51-3. The two-time Bayside All-Conference pick wrapped up his prep career by totaling more than 1,200 points to finish among the school's all-time top 10 scoring leaders. Miller, who is described as a prolific shooting guard, was recruited out of high school by Florida, Indiana, Providence, Rutgers, Texas, USC, UAB and St. Bonaventure, among others.
Time Out Club Luncheons & Booster Bus Trips
Seven Time Out Club Luncheons are set up for the upcoming season. Each luncheon will feature Fresno State head coach Steve Cleveland, a current Bulldog and an alumni of the program. Held at Pardini's Restaurant, the cost is $12 for Time Out Club members and $15 for non-members. Reservations can be made by phoning the Bulldog Foundation at (559) 278-7103. In addition, three Bulldog basketball booster road trips remain with stops at Pacific (Dec. 17), San Jose State (Feb. 23) and Nevada (March 4). All reservations can be made at Time Out Club Luncheons or by contacting Tim Schiller at (559) 225-3164.
Season & Single-Game Tickets Available
While single-game tickets can now be purchased through Ticketmaster, new season tickets for the general public are on sale for $196 (upper bowl) and can be purchased by contacting the Bulldog Ticket Office at (559) 278-DOGS or on-line (www.gobulldogs.com). For Personal Seat Licenses (PSL), the general public may contact The Bulldog Foundation at (559) 278-7160. In addition, group tickets (10 or more people) and party suite rentals are available by phoning the Bulldog Ticket Office.
Fresno State By The Numbers
8 -- The number of wins needed by head coach Steve Cleveland to reach 150 career victories
10+ -- Fresno State has recorded 10 or more steals in five of its six games played this season. Leading the WAC and nationally-ranked in steals per game, the Bulldogs have a season-high 15 against Oregon State
80 -- The Bulldogs have scored 80 or more points in three of its six games played this season. All wins, Fresno State recorded 85 at Cal Poly, 84 at Iowa State and 80 versus Oregon State
