Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs On The Road For Two In WAC Play
1/9/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 9, 2006
FRESNO, Calif. -
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Fresno State Basketball on the Road For Two
The 2005-06 Fresno State men's basketball team is on the road for two this week. Opening Western Athletic Conference play at home last Saturday against Utah State, the Bulldogs continue league play this week when they travel to New Mexico State on Thu., Jan. 12, 6:00 p.m. (PT), and current WAC co-leader Louisiana Tech on Sat., Jan. 14, 5:00 p.m. (PT). Both games will be televised by the Bulldog Sports Network on KFRE WB 59.
WAC Life on the Road
The Bulldogs are on the road for three of their next four league contests. After playing at New Mexico State and Louisiana Tech this week, Fresno State will come back home on Jan. 18 to host Nevada before traveling to Hawai'i on Jan. 21. The `Dogs will look to collect a better WAC fortune on the road this season after going 3-6 away from home. Last season the Bulldogs and Louisiana Tech split as each school won on the opponent's home court. Fresno State has not won on New Mexico State's home court in the last seven tries. The `Dogs last win in Las Cruces came on Feb. 14, 1985 under former head coach Boyd Grant. Fresno State posted a 61-53 victory and went on to sweep the Aggies in conference play. Overall on the road this season, the `Dogs are 2-3 as they own road victories over Cal Poly (85-77) and Iowa State (84-77) and have losses to Buffalo (85-69), San Diego (72-61) and Pacific (99-63).
The Series vs. New Mexico State
In the all-time series between Fresno State and New Mexico State, the Aggies hold a 14-9 advantage. With the two programs last meeting on March 13, 1992, NMSU recorded an overtime win (86-85) at the Big West Conference Championship. The Aggies have had the `Dogs number in the last 12 meetings as NMSU has won nine of the last 12 games.
The Series vs. Louisiana Tech
Fresno State and Louisiana Tech will be meeting for the 14th time this week. The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs own a 7-6 series advantage. In the last meeting on March 10, 2005 at the WAC Tournament, Fresno State notched an 84-81 overtime win. The series is even in the last 10 meetings as each program has recorded five wins a piece.
Up Next at Home
Fresno State will be back home for a quick appearance on Jan. 18. The Bulldogs will host Nevada and that game will be televised by SportsWest.
New Mexico State Notebook (5-8, 1-1)
New Mexico State is coming off a 1-1 WAC road trip in which the Aggies opened conference play with a 62-52 victory over Idaho before dropping a 73-63 decision to Boise State. In its first season as a member of the WAC after spending the past five seasons in the Sun Belt Conference, NMSU is 3-3 at home as the Aggies last hosted Texas Tech on Dec. 29 (L 69-63) and Texas-San Antonio (W 74-72). New Mexico State, which was picked to finish seventh in the media poll and eighth in the coahces' poll, is 2-2 in its last four and 4-6 in its last 10 after opening the season at 1-3. With three players averaging double figures this season, NMSU is spearheaded by sophomore forward Tyrone Nelson, a transfer from Prairie View A&M. Nelson is averaging a team-high 16.7 points and a team-best 8.3 rebounds per game. He also is shooting 55.5 percent (76-137) from the floor and .756 (65-86) from the free throw line while collecting nine blocks and a team-high 26 steals. Overall in the WAC, Nelson is third in steals, fourth in field goal percentage, fifth in rebounding, sixth in free throw percentage and seventh in scoring. As a team, the Aggies are shooting 44.1 percent (311-706) from the floor and .653 (190-291) from the charity stripe. Averaging 68.5 points and 35.7 rebounds per game, New Mexico State is shooting 33.1 percent (79-239) beyond the arc. Overall in the WAC, NMSU is ranked in the top five in nine categories: No. 3 rebounding defense (34.2), No. 4 rebounding offense (35.7), No. 4 3-point field goal percentage defense (.339), No. 4 rebounding margin (+1.5), No. 4 3-point field goals made (6.08), No. 4 steals (7.23), No. 4 defensive rebounds (24.08), No. 5 blocked shots (2.77) and No. 5 field goal percentage. NMSU is under the direction of first-year head Reggie Theus. After serving the last two seasons as an assistant at Louisville, he played 13 years in the NBA and is one of five players in NBA history to score 19,000 points and have 6,000 assists. In college, he played three years at UNLV in which he sparked the Rebels a Final Four appearance as a sophomore.
Louisiana Tech Notebook (9-6, 2-0)
Louisiana Tech is coming off a 2-0 WAC road trip as the Bulldogs defeated Boise State (75-72) and Idaho (66-61). Winners of five of its last seven games, Louisiana Tech is undefeated at home as the Bulldogs sport a 4-0 home court record. At the Thomas Assembly Center, the `Dogs owns wins over Southern (61-52), Louisiana-Lafayette (85-78), McNeese State (80-67) and Tougaloo (92-58). La Tech, which has been on the road for its last three games and six out of its last nine, currently shares the top spot in the WAC standings with Hawai'i at 2-0. Who will hold the top spot and stay undefeated in league play between Louisiana Tech and UH will be decided on Thursday when the Bulldogs host Hawai'i. Picked to finish fourth in the coaches' poll and fifth in the media poll, Louisiana Tech is led by 2005 First Team All-WAC and NABC All-District 8 performer Paul Millsap. The junior forward, who is the only player in NCAA history to lead the nation in rebounding as a freshman and a sophomore, was named WAC Player of the Week today. Millsap averaged 19.5 points, 15.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocked shots in a pair of conference road victories last week. Against Boise State he scored 18 points and had 15 rebounds while hitting a 3-pointer at the buzzer for a 75-72 win. He then followed up that performance with 21 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks at Idaho. For the week, Millsap shot 68.0 percent from the field as he collected his fifth career WAC Player of the Week honors and second on the season. On the season, he leads the team in scoring (20.7 ppg), rebounding (11.9 rpg), field goals made (119), field goal percentage (.613, 119-164), free throw percentage (.667, 70-105), blocks (26) and steals (26). Overall in the WAC, Millsap is tops in rebounding, second in scoring, field goal percentage and blocks and sixth in steals. As a team, Louisiana Tech is averaging 68.7 points and is leading the WAC with 40.0 rebounds per game. In the WAC, La Tech is ranked among the top five in nine categories: No. 1 rebounding, offensive rebounds (16.67) and rebounding margin (+6.1), No. 2 rebounding defense (33.9) and steals (7.73), No. 4 scoring defense (66.4) and blocked shots (3.53), No. 5 scoring and field goal percentage defense (.430). Louisiana Tech is under the direction of eighth year head coach Keith Richard. Already ranked third in school history for career wins, he has won 64 of 84 home games.
Utah State in Review
Ja'Vance Coleman scored 25 points, including the go-ahead three-pointer with 2.6 seconds left, lifting Fresno State over Utah State 99-96 in double overtime. Quinton Hosley added 25 points and 17 rebounds for the Bulldogs, who scored the first 10 points of the second overtime before withstanding a furious Utah State comeback. Fresno State won its Western Athletic Conference opener, improving to 8-4 overall and halting a six-game win streak for Utah State (9-4, 1-2). Nate Harris scored a game-high 33 points for Utah State, including a 3-pointer with 13.8 seconds left that tied the game at 96. Coleman then calmly dribbled the ball upcourt, releasing his winning shot from the top of the key over Jaycee Carroll's outstretched fingers. David Pak had a 22 points and 12 assists for the Aggies. Pak missed an off-balance jumper from near half court at the buzzer after making two 3-pointers in the second overtime. The hard-fought contest included 23 lead changes and 17 ties. Utah State had a chance to win the game in regulation, but Cass Matheus missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with 0.8 seconds left. The ball spun around the rim and out. Hosley sent the game into the second overtime by rebounding Kevin Bell's missed layup and dunking it with 6.8 seconds left. Hector Hernandez added 18 points and Dwight O'Neil 12 for the Bulldogs, who outrebounded Utah State 50-41. Fresno State led 40-39 at halftime thanks to Coleman's 13 points and three assists. Utah State led by as many as eight points early. Coleman's four-point play tied the game at 23-23 with 12:41 left before halftime.
Iona College in Review
Steve Burtt hit a 3-pointer with 19 seconds remaining to cap Iona's rally from a 14-point halftime deficit and lead the Gaels to a 70-69 victory over Fresno State on Tuesday night. Burtt led the Gaels (8-2) with 21 points and Anthony Bruin added 12. Iona opens Metro Atlantic Athletic Association play Friday against Manhattan. Ja'Vance Coleman scored 17 points while going 10-10 from the free throw line. Quinton Hosley picked up his seventh double-double after posting 16 points and a game-high 13 rebounds for Fresno State (7-4), which opens the Western Athletic Conference season Saturday against Utah State. Burtt's game winner came with 19 seconds on the clock. The Bulldogs had an opportunity to make a last second shot but Coleman's jumper near the top of the key fell short as he tried to make a contested shot and give the `Dogs their fourth consecutive victory. Fresno State led 45-31 at halftime, but didn't score its first basket of the second half until the 15:06 mark. The Bulldogs still led 69-63 after Kevin Bell's jumper with 1:30 remaining. But a turnover by Coleman and two offensive rebounds by Iona led to Ricky Soliver's jumper to cut the Bulldogs lead to 69-67 with 36 seconds left. Fresno State had its three-game win streak halted as the Bulldogs also endured their first loss at home this season.
WAC in Review
Boise State is coming off a 1-1 WAC week as the Broncos split at home after dropping a 75-72 decision to Louisiana Tech before rebounding back with a 73-63 victory over New Mexico State ... Hawai'i improved to 2-0 in WAC play after defeating Nevada, 73-69, in overtime in Honolulu ... Idaho opened its first season in the WAC with a pair of losses at home to New Mexico State (62-52) and Louisiana Tech (66-61) ... Louisiana Tech also improved to 2-0 in the WAC with a pair of road victories over Boise State (75-72, ot) and Idaho (66-61) ... Nevada went 1-1 in league action on the road as the Wolf Pack lost 73-69 in overtime at Hawai'i before defeating San Jose State, 63-56 ... New Mexico State also split on the road as it defeated Idaho, 62-52) before losing at Boise State, 73-63 ... San Jose State opened league play at home and went 0-2 as the Spartans lost to Utah State (67-56) and Nevada (63-56) ... Utah State opened its first year as a WAC member and split on the road as the Aggies defeated SJSU, 67-56, before falling in double overtime to Fresno State, 99-96.
Bulldog Notables
Fresno State went 1-1 last week at home ... Outside of Bracket Buster play, the Bulldogs are 7-4 against non-conference opponents ... The `Dogs opened the WAC season with a double overtime win over Utah State ... The last time Fresno State went into overtime was against Louisiana Tech at the 2005 WAC Tournament (FS won 84-81 on March 10) ... The last time Fresno State went into double overtime was at SMU (FS won 75-74 on Feb. 7, 2004) ... The Bulldogs opened the WAC season with a victory for the fourth consecutive year ... Fresno State set a new SMC record in points (99) against Utah State ... The 99 points was the most scored by a Bulldogs' team since a double overtime win over Nevada on March 1, 2003 (last game played at Selland Arena) ... Fresno State made a season-high 13 3-pointers - also a new SMC record - versus the Aggies ... It marked the fourth time in which the Bulldogs have made 10 or more 3-pointers in a game ... Fresno State outrebounded USU by +9 (50-41) - its best rebound performance on the year ... Fresno State has made 20 or more free throws in four of its last five games ... Fresno State also had a season-high 32 field goals made against USU ... The Bulldogs tied the SMC record for free throws when they made 26 against Iona College ... The `Dogs also had 12 steals versus the Gaels, making it the seventh time on the year with 10 or more swipes in a game ... Head coach Steve Cleveland is one of six Fresno State first-year coaches to win seven of his first 10 games ... Individually, Dwight O'Neil made a career-high seven free throws against Iona College before tying his career-high mark in rebounds (9) and assists (3) against Utah State ... Hector Hernandez scored a career-high 18 points while posting career-best marks in field goals (7) and 3-pointers (4) against Utah State ... He also tied his career-high in rebounds (8) versus the Aggies ... Ja'Vance Coleman went a perfect 10-10 from the free throw line against Iona College ... He hit the game-winning shot against Utah State with a 3-pointer with 2.7 seconds left on the clock in double overtime versus USU ... Coleman also tallied a career-best eight assists against the Aggies.
Top `Dog
Quinton Hosley helped the Bulldogs to a 1-1 home record last week as well as guided the team to a 4-1 home court mark during its five-game homestand. Posting a pair of double-doubles last week, he averaged 20.5 points and 15.0 rebounds per game. Against Iona College, Hosley had 16 points and a game-high 13 rebounds against Iona College and made his WAC debut against Utah State and responded with 25 points and 17 rebound. In the WAC opener, he played in 41 minutes while going 10-16 from the line and collected a game-high 17 rebounds. Hosley sent the game into the second overtime by rebounding Kevin Bell's missed layup and dunking it with 6.8 seconds left. He then scored the first 10 points of the second overtime. The 17 rebounds over the Aggies was a new Save Mart Center record as he recorded his seventh 20-point game of the season against Utah State. Eclipsing the 100 rebound plateau this season, Hosley picked up his eighth 10-rebound game of the year after tallying double digits against Iona College and Utah State. In the Bulldogs' five-game homestand, he averaged 20.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game while scoring 100 points. On the season Hosley has 12 straight double figure games. He also has four 20-point games in his last six appearances. In this six-game stretch, he is averaging 20.2 points and 11.3 rebounds per game while shooting .721 percent from the free throw line (44-61) to go along with 12 steals and five blocks.
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 (6.67) while second in assist/turnover ratio (2.50) and steals (2.08). Coleman leads the WAC in 3-pointers made (3.08) while second in 3-point field goal percentage (.402). In addition, he also ranks No. 4 in scoring (18.8), No. 7 in steals (1.58) and No. 10 in field goal percentage (.413). Hosley is tops in steals (2.58) while second in rebounding (10.2) and offensive rebounds (4.00) and third in scoring (19.8) and defensive rebounds (6.17). In addition, he also ranks No. 8 in free throw percentage (.723) and No. 9 in field goal percentage (.427).
Hernandez and O'Neil Also Ranked in the WAC
Also ranked in the overall WAC statistics is Hernandez. He is No. 6 in blocked shots (1.17), No. 10 in offensive rebounds (2.25) and No. 11 in rebounding (5.3). O'Neil makes his first appearance in steals as he comes in at No. 10 (1.33).
Fresno State in the WAC Statistics
Fresno State currently leads the WAC in three categories: scoring (76.5), turnover margin (+2.50) and steals (10.17). In addition, the Bulldogs are ranked among the top five in seven categories: No. 2 in assists (16.08), assist/turnover ratio (1.04) and 3-point field goals made (8.42), No. 3 in free throw percentage (.702) and blocked shots (4.42), No. 4 in 3-point field goal percentage (.352) and offensive rebounds (12.67).
Three Bulldogs Nationally Ranked
In the fifth week of NCAA statistics (Jan. 1), three `Dogs are nationally ranked while the team is listed among the nation's top 50 in three categories. Bell is ranked No. 4 in the nation for assists per game (6.8) and No. 48 in steals per game (2.4). Hosley is ranked 20th in steals per game (2.7) while also ranked in rebounds per game (No. 38, 9.2). He also ranks 42nd in scoring with an average of 19.6 points per game. Coleman is currently ranked 29th nationally in 3-pointers (3.1). As a team, the Bulldogs are ranked No. 16 in steals (10.5) and 25th in 3-pointers per game (5.3).
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 Mon., Jan. 9, 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
2.6: Ja'Vance Coleman hit the game-winning shot against Utah State with a 3-pointer with 2.6 seconds left on the clock. It was his fourth career game-winning shot.
4: The number of wins needed by head coach Steve Cleveland to reach 150 career victories.
13: Fresno State made a season-high 13 3-pointers -- a new Save Mart Center record -- in the double overtime win against Utah State.
99: Fresno State set a new SMC record for points scored against an opponent (99) in the win over USU. The 99 points was the most scored by a Bulldogs' team since a double overtime win over Nevada on March 1, 2003 (last game at Selland Arena).
