Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs' Basketball Hosts Nevada Before Traveling to Hawai'i
1/16/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 17, 2006
- Game Notes (PDF)
Game 15 • Fresno State (8-6, 1-2) vs. Nevada (13-3, 3-1)
Date: Wed., Jan. 18
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Site: Save Mart Center (16,116) • Fresno, Calif..
TV: SportsWest (KFRE WB 59): Jeff Rickert (play-by-play) & Dave Bollwinkel (analyst); ESPN Full Court
Radio: KMJ (AM 580): Bill Woodward (play-by-play) & Dave Severns (analyst); KOQO (FM 101.9): Jess Gonzalez (play-by-play) & Guillermo Prince (analyst)
Fresno State Splits Week
The 2005-06 Fresno State men's basketball team will be home and away in Western Athletic Conference play this week. The Bulldogs will host Nevada on Wed., Jan. 18, 7:00 p.m., before traveling to Hawai'i on Sat., Jan. 21, 9:00 p.m. (PT). SportsWest will carry the game on Wednesday, which can be seen on KFRE (WB 59). On Saturday, Bulldog Sports Network will broadcast the game from Honolulu, which also can be seen on KFRE (WB 59).
WAC Life
After opening WAC play at home, the Bulldogs are on the road for three of their next four league contests. In addition, Fresno State will have played the top five teams in the WAC to open the first three weeks of the conference season.
The Series vs. Nevada
Nevada is the third-oldest series for Fresno State as the Wolf Pack own a 37-33 all-time advantage. Meeting for the 71st time, the two schools split last season as each won on the opponents home court. Since 2000, Nevada has won six of the last 10 meetings.
The Series vs. Hawai'i
Fresno State and Hawai'i are squaring off for the 25th time this week. The Bulldogs own a 14-10 series advantage. Last season, the `Dogs each home team won. Since 2000, Fresno State is 4-5 versus UH with one game vacated (W 91-73) in the last 10 meetings.
Up Next
After this week's action, Fresno State will be at home for three straight games to close out the month. While two victories shy of recording the program's 1,100th win, the `Dogs will host New Mexico State, Louisiana Tech and Idaho in a five day span starting Jan. 26.
WAC Play Up Tour
The WAC Play Up Tour will come to Fresno on Jan. 28 when the Bulldogs host Louisiana Tech. The tour stop will award a Play Up Player and Fan of the Game. The fan will receive a WAC prize pack at the game and will have a chance to be the Play Up Fan of the Year, receiving a trip to the 2006 WAC Basketball Tournament.
Fresno State in Top 100 in RPI Ratings
In the CollegeRPI.com ratings, WAC teams ranked in the top 100 are Nevada (27th), Utah State (64th), Fresno State (80th) and Hawai'i (86th).
Nevada Notebook (13-3, 3-1)
Nevada is coming off a 2-0 home record in WAC action. The Wolf Pack defeated Boise State (81-67) and Idaho (70-44) and ) to improve to 3-1 in league play and 13-3 overall. Improving to 8-0 at home, Nick Fazekas collected 15 points, 10 rebounds and five assists against Idaho before scoring 20 points, 10 rebounds in the win over BSU. As the reigning WAC Player of the Year, he also was perfect from the field (9-of-9) and from the free throw line (2-of-2). Kyle Shiloh scored 17 points off the bench for Nevada as the Wolf Pack avenged a first-round WAC Tournament loss to the Broncos a season ago. Shiloh was coming off a career-best 20-point performance over Idaho. Winners of three straight and seven of its last nine after opening the year with a 6-1 mark, Nevada is averaging 71.6 points and 39.3 rebounds per game while shooting 45.0 percent from the field. Averaging +8.6 points better than their opponents, the Wolf Pack has three players in double figures. Fazekas, who leads the league in scoring, is averaging 21.2 points per game. Also averaging 9.1 rebounds per game, he is shooting 55.3 percent (125-226) from the field and 84.9 percent (73-86) from the free throw line. Marcelus Kemp (13.8 ppg) and Mo Charlo (12.4 ppg) are the other two Wolf Pack averaging double digits. Receiving votes in the two major national polls, Nevada boasts the best record in WAC play over the last four years as it owns a 43-15 (.741) mark. Nevada has won its last 34 games when holding opponent to under 60 points.
Hawai'i Notebook (8-6, 2-2)
Hawai'i is coming off a 0-2 road record in WAC action. Having played seven consecutive games at home, the Rainbow Warriors went on the road for just the third time of the season and lost by three points at Louisiana Tech (65-62) and at New Mexico State (87-84). With an 8-6 overall record and a 2-2 conference mark, UH is 3-3 in its last six games after opening the season at 5-3. Still further, Hawai'i now has dropped 18 of its last 20 road games and six straight WAC regular-season road games. Last week, Julian Sensley scored a game-high 32 points to go along with five rebounds at New Mexico State after scoring 11 points and five rebounds at Louisiana Tech. With 10 total boards collected last week, he became the 10th Rainbow Warrior to reach 500 in his career (509). Also averaging double figures last week was Matt Lojeski, who had 12 points versus NMSU and a team-best 15 points versus Tech. When Sensley and Lojeski score in double figures in the same game, UH was 7-0 until this past week. On the year, Hawai'i is averaging 69.5 points and 35.6 rebounds per game while shooting 45.9 percent from the floor. Averaging +3.3 points better than their opponents, the Rainbow Warriors have three players in double figures. Sensley is averaging 16.6 points per game while shooting 42.5 percent from the floor and .672 (41-61) from the free throw line. Lojeski (13.5 ppg) and Ahmet Gueye (12.6 ppg) are the other two players averaging double digits. Hawai'i is 8-2 at home this season.
Special WAC Club
While Boise State's Coby Karl is the only player in the WAC to lead his team in scoring, rebounding and assists, Quinton Hosley and six other conference players are leading their respective teams in two of those three statistical categories. Last week, he and Louisiana Tech's Paul Millsap were the only two league players to average double figures in both scoring and rebounding.
Bulldogs Among WAC's Best in Last Four Years
Over the last four seasons, Utah State is 83-24 (.776), the best record of any WAC during that time. In conference games, Nevada has won 43 games, the most in that same period. Outside of Nevada, the other top three teams in WAC play over the last four seasons include Fresno State (33-24, .579) and Hawai'i (29-29, .500).
Strictly WAC Speaking
In the WAC for conference games only, Fresno State leads the league in 3-pointers (9.00) while second in steals (7.67), scoring offense (74.3), offensive rebounds (14.33) and turnover margin (+1.67) and third in 3-point field goal percentage (.365, 27-74) and rebounding offense (38.3). Individually in WAC games, only, Ja'Vance Coleman is first in 3-pointers (3.33) and Quinton Hosley is tops in steals (3.00).
Louisiana Tech in Review
Paul Millsap had a game-high 20 points and 15 rebounds to keep Louisiana Tech undefeated in WAC play as Tech pinned a 73-54 loss on Fresno State. The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (11-6, 4-0 WAC) effectively used the press and wasted no time in jumping out to a 12-0 lead before Fresno State (8-6, 1-2 WAC) scored its first bucket with 16:23 in the first half. Fresno State battled back and cut the lead to nine (31-22) on a pair of free throws by Hector Hernandez. However, four missed shots from the field plus missing a pair of free throws and a turnover allowed Tech to take a 16 point lead at half. Scoreless beyond the arc, Fresno State shot 28.6 percent from the field as Tech went into the halftime locker room with a 38-22 lead. Looking for an answer to Louisiana Tech's offense, Fresno State got as close as seven on a 3-pointer by Donovan Morris (48-41) with 12:04 left in the game. However, Tech went on an 8-0 run to push its lead to 17 points with 9:31 remaining. Dominate in the paint, Tech also had 16 points and five rebounds from Trey McDowell off the bench. Fresno State had three players in double figures as Hernandez led the way with 12 points, his third double figure game of the season, and six rebounds. Kevin Bell and Dwight O'Neil chipped in 11 points. Louisiana Tech is off to its best conference start since the 1984-85 season.
New Mexico State in Review
New Mexico State had five players in double figures and held off a second-half Fresno State rally to beat the Bulldogs 73-70 Thursday night in WAC action. Elijah Ingram led the Aggies with 17 points, followed by Tyrone Nelson with 15, David Fisher with 13, Mike Mitchell with 12 and Ted Knauber with 10. The Aggies (6-8, 2-1) led by 14 points, 59-45, with 12 minutes left when Fresno State began its rally. The Bulldogs (8-5, 1-1) scored 12 unanswered points to make it 59-57 with 9:03 to go. During the final 12 minutes of the game, the Aggies had 12 turnovers to Fresno State's three. NMSU's turnovers led to easy baskets for Fresno State. The Aggies finished with 27 turnovers. The Bulldogs remained close the rest of the game and took their only lead of the second half, 70-69, with 1:38 to play when Ja'Vance Coleman converted a three-point play. Ingram put NMSU in the lead, 71-70, on a drive to the basket at 1:18. Mitchell clinched the win for the Aggies with an offensive rebound, a steal and a pair of free throws in the final seconds. A 3-point attempt by Coleman with two seconds to play was off the mark. Coleman led the Bulldogs with a game-high 26 points, going 5 for 13 from behind the 3-point line. Quinton Hosley added 14 for Fresno State, while Dwight O'Neil had 12. The start of the game was delayed 20 minutes because of technical difficulties with the scoreboard. Once the game started, NMSU took control and rushed out to a 20-11 lead, thanks to a 10-0 run. Fresno State closed the gap to 36-31 by halftime.
WAC in Review
Every home team prevailed last week as each host school went 2-0 last week ... Boise State traveled to Utah State and Nevada ... The Broncos lost 75-69 against USU and lost 81-67 versus Nevada ... Hawai'i also went on the road and dropped two as the Rainbow Warriors lost at Louisiana Tech (65-62) and at New Mexico State (87-84) ... Idaho also was on the road and fell at Nevada (70-44) and at Utah State (83-58) ... Winners of four straight WAC games, Louisiana Tech posted victories over Hawai'i (65-62) and Fresno State (73-54) ... Winning its last three and seven of its last eight, Nevada collected home victories over Idaho (70-44) and Boise State (81-67) ... After opening the WAC season at 1-1, New Mexico State collected a pair of home wins after defeating Fresno State (73-70) and Hawai'i (87-84) ... San Jose State was idle last week ... Last time out, the Spartans hosted Utah State and Nevada and dropped both decisions at home ... Utah State went 2-0 at home with wins over Boise State (75-69) and Idaho (83-58).
Bulldog Notables
Fresno State went 0-2 on the road when the Bulldogs visited New Mexico State and Louisiana Tech in conference play ... Despite the 0-2 record, the `Dogs had four players average in double figures in scoring: Ja'Vance Coleman (14.0), Dwight O'Neil (11.5), Hector Hernandez (10.0) and Quinton Hosley (10.0) ... After the loss at NMSU, the `Dogs had gone 1-2 in games decided by a total of seven points (L 70-69 to Iona College, W 99-96 versus Utah State, L 73-70 at New Mexico State) ... Fresno State reached the mid-point of its season at Louisiana Tech as the Bulldogs own an 8-6 first half record ... The `Dogs opened the year with a 4-3 mark and have gone 4-3 in their last seven ... At New Mexico State, Ja'Vance Coleman led all players with 26 points -- his eighth of the season and 20th of his career -- one shy of his career-high mark of 27 he had to open the season at Cal Poly ... Last week, Coleman led the Bulldogs with an average of 14.0 points per game while Quinton Hosley led the team with an average of 6.8 rebounds per game ... Shooting 70.0 percent (7-10) from the charity stripe last week, Hosley also had a season-high seven steals against News Mexico State ... Opening the year with 13 consecutive double figure scoring games came to a halt against Louisiana Tech ... The last time a Bulldog opened the season with 10-plus double figure scoring games was Coleman, who kicked of last year's campaign with 15 consecutive double figure scoring games ... Prior to Coleman's double figure streak, it had been 20 years since a Bulldog opened a season that way ... James Tchana played a season-high 20 minutes and scored a season-best six minutes against Louisiana Tech ... After 44 career games played, Coleman jumped into the school's all-time Top 50 scoring list after tallying 28 points last week ... Coleman currently ranks No. 47 with 760 career points ... With 40 more points, he would become the 44th Bulldog to notch 800 or more career points as he would surpass Scott Barnes (1984-85, 764), Bob Vasilovich (1968-70, 772) and Fred Bartels (150-52, 785) ... Hosley will look to become the first Bulldog since 1965 to average double figures in scoring and rebounding ... With a current average of 18.4 points and 9.6 rebounds, Hosley only would become the third player in school history to average double digits in both categories: Lonnie Hughey (1965, 23.2 ppg/14.4 rpg), Lloyd Talbot (1964, 22.2 ppg/13.4 rpg), and Gary Alcorn three different seasons (1959, 17.1/14.2; 1958, 15.4/13.6; and 1957, 21.4/13.7).
Co-Top `Dogs
Hector Hernandez and Dwight O'Neil combined for an average of 21.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game last week despite the team going 0-2 on the road in WAC play. Making a combined 9-of-13 in free throws, the pair also shot 40.0 percent beyond the arc (4-10) and tallied four steals. Hernandez recorded his third double figure scoring game of the season and fifth of his career when he led all Bulldogs with 12 points against WAC leader Louisiana Tech. He also shared team-high honors in rebounds (6). O'Neil had a pair of double figure games as he totaled 12 points at New Mexico State and 11 at Louisiana Tech. As the only Bulldog to notch double figures in both conference road games, he has strung together four consecutive double figures games. In this stretch, he is averaging 11.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. In Hernandez's last four contests, he is averaging 11.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. In conference play, Hernandez is averaging 12.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while O'Neil is also averaging 5.3 rebounds to go along with an average of 11.7 points per game. Overall on the season, O'Neil is third on the team in scoring (9.6) and rebounding (3.9) while Hernandez is second in rebounding (5.1) and fifth in scoring (7.9).
A Flair for Game-Winning Shots
With his go-ahead 3-pointer with 2.6 second left, lifting Fresno State to a 99-96 double overtime win over Utah State, Coleman made his fourth game-winning shot of his career. Last season he made three game-winning shots, including a 30-footer at the buzzer over visiting UTEP on Jan. 15, 2005. He also connected for game-winners at USC (Dec. 8, 2004) and at home against SMU (Feb. 5, 2005).
Trio of Bulldogs Are WAC Leaders
Bell continues to lead the WAC in assists (6.36) while second in steals (2.07) and fourth in assist/turnover ratio (2.02). Coleman leads the WAC in 3-pointers made (3.00) while second in 3-point field goal percentage (.385). In addition, he also ranks No. 4 in scoring (18.1), No. T8 in steals (1.36), No. 8 in free throw percentage (.750) and No. 10 in field goal percentage (.400). Hosley is tops in steals (2.79) while second in rebounding (9.6) and offensive rebounds (3.64) and third in scoring (18.4) and defensive rebounds (6.00). In addition, he also ranks No. 9 in free throw percentage (.721).
Hernandez, Morris and O'Neil Also Ranked in the WAC
Also ranked in the overall WAC statistics is Hernandez. He is No. 8 in blocked shots (1.00) and No. 13 in rebounding (5.1). O'Neil makes his second appearance in steals as he comes in at No. T8 (1.36). Morris is ranked for the first time as he checks in at No. 10 (1.57) for 3-pointers.
Fresno State in the WAC Statistics
Fresno State currently leads the WAC in two categories: turnover margin (+2.86) and steals (10.00). In addition, the Bulldogs are ranked among the top five in seven categories: No. 2 in scoring offense (74.4), free throw percentage (.703) and 3-pointers (8.21), No. 3 in assists (15.07), offensive rebounds (12.50) and blocks (4.07) and No. 4 in assist/turnover ratio (0.97)
Three Bulldogs Nationally Ranked
In the sixth week of NCAA statistics (Jan. 8), three `Dogs are nationally ranked while the team is listed among the nation's top 70 in five categories. Bell is ranked No. 5 in the nation for assists per game (6.7). Hosley is ranked in three categories as he is No. 18 in rebounds per game (10.2), No. 26 in steals per game (2.6) and No. 40 in points per game. In 3-pointers per game, Coleman is ranked 27th in the nation. As a team, the Bulldogs are ranked 20th in steals per game (10.2), 28th in 3-point field goals per game (8.4), 59th in scoring offense (76.5), 60th in assists per game (16.1) and 64th in blocks per game (4.4).
Listen to Coach on KMJ and KMPH
While fans can catch "Coach's Corner" during the local sports broadcast on KMPH TV 26 every week, fans also can listen to head coach Steve Cleveland on KMJ from 1:00-2:00 p.m. every week. Fans can tune in to 580 AM on Tue., Jan. 17, Mon., Jan. 23, Tue., Jan. 31, Tue., Feb. 7, Tue., Feb. 14, Tue., Feb. 21, Tue., Feb. 28 and Mon., March 6.
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 season. With two luncheons a month, it 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, two Bulldog basketball booster road trips remain with stops at 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.
New Ticket and Food Combo Home Packages Available
Fresno State is offering three new ticket and food combo packages for the rest of the men's basketball season. Good at any game, the Four Pack and Group Offer are two new ways to watch Bulldog basketball. The Four Pack, which can be purchased through Ticketmaster and the Save Mart Center Box Office, offers four reserved seats, four hot dogs and four sodas for $80. The Group Offer, which can be purchased through the Bulldog Ticket Office, is a good for groups of 10 or more where 10 game tickets, 10 hot dogs and 10 sodas can be had for $170. Finally, the Weekday Twin Pack, which only can be purchased through Ticketmaster and the SMC Box Office, is good for two reserved tickets, two hot dogs and two sodas for $46.
Fresno State By The Numbers
4: The number of wins needed by head coach Steve Cleveland to reach 150 career victories.
13: Last time out at home, Fresno State made a season-high 13 3-pointers -- a new Save Mart Center record -- in the double overtime win against Utah State.
47: With 760 career points in 44 games played to date, Ja'Vance Coleman moved into the school's Top 50 in scoring as he sits No. 47. He will look to become the 26th Bulldog to tally 1,000 points between now and next season.
80-plus: Coming into the week, Quinton Hosley has tallied 82 field goals, 80 free throws and 84 defensive rebounds.
