Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Picked to Finish Fourth in Preseason WAC Polls
10/10/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Oct. 10, 2007
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - The Fresno State men's basketball team was picked to finish fourth in the coaches and media polls that were announced on Wednesday at the annual WAC Basketball Media Day in Salt Lake City.
"I have no issue with where we were picked," Fresno State men's basketball coach Steve Cleveland said. "Our goals haven't changed. We want to win the WAC and go the NCAA tournament. More importantly to me I want to see this team reach its full potential."
Bulldog guard Kevin Bell was named to the Preseason All-WAC team by the media and to the Preseason Second-Team All-WAC by the coaches. Last year Bell averaged 9.6 points a game and played a team-best 33.9 minutes.
"Kevin has established himself in this conference as a point guard that makes teams better," Cleveland said. "The last 10 games of last season was the best basketball he has played at Fresno State. That was reflected by the success we had."
Senior forward Hector Hernandez was also a Preseason Second Team All-WAC selection. Last year he averaged 11.2 points and 5.2 rebounds and he spent the summer playing for the Mexican National Team.
Utah State was picked to finish first in the coaches' poll with four first place votes and 58 points. New Mexico State was a close second with three first place votes and 57 points. The two schools flip-flopped positions in the media poll, with the Aggies getting 13 first place votes and 255 points and Utah State receiving 10 first place votes and 250 points.
"With the experience Utah State and New Mexico State has returning it makes perfectly good sense that they were picked to win the league," Cleveland said. "I sincerely believe that six teams have an opportunity to win the league."
Nevada was picked to finish third in both polls and had seven first place votes in the media poll. Boise State, Hawai'i, Louisiana Tech, San Jose State and Idaho rounded picked five through nine in both polls.
Fresno State opens its season on November 4 in an exhibition game against Western Washington. Tip off is set for 4 p.m. at the Save Mart Center.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - Men's and Women's Basketball season tickets and mini plan packages for the 2007-08 season go on sale Monday, October 8th and can be purchased online at gobulldogs.com, by phone at 559-278-DOGS, or in person at the Bulldog Ticket Office. The Fresno State Men's and Women's Basketball teams will open the 2007-08 season at the Save Mart Center in a doubleheader of exhibition games. On Sunday, November 4 the women's team will play the Melbourne Roos at 2 p.m. followed by the men's team against Western Washington at 4 p.m. Single game tickets will go on sale at a later date.
Preseason Men's Basketball Coaches Poll
1- Utah State (4) 58
2- New Mexico State (3) 57
3- Nevada (1) 53
4- Fresno State (1) 46
5- Boise State (34)
6- Hawai'i 29
7- Louisiana Tech 17
San Jose State 17
9- Idaho 13
Preseason Men's Basketball Media Poll
1- New Mexico State (13) 255
2- Utah State (10) 250
3- Nevada (7) 239
4- Fresno State 208
5- Boise State175
6- Hawai'i 151
7- Louisiana Tech 104
8- San Jose State 91
9- Idaho 57
Coaches Preseason All-WAC Teams
First Team
Jaycee Carroll, Sr., G, Utah State
Justin Hawkins, Jr. G/F, New Mexico State
Marcelus Kemp, Sr., G, Nevada
Reggie Larry, Sr. F, Boise State
Fred Pette, Jr., G, New Mexico State
Second Team
Kevin Bell, Sr., G, Fresno State
Hector Hernandez, Sr., F, Fresno State
Demarshay Johnson, Sr., F, Nevada
Matt Nelson, Sr., F, Boise State
Bobby Nash, Sr., G, Hawai'i
Player of the Year: Jaycee Carroll, Utah State
Media Preseason All-WAC Team
Kevin Bell, Sr. G, Fresno State
Jaycee Carroll, Sr. G, Utah State
Justin Hawkins, Jr. G/F, New Mexico State
Reggie Larry, Sr., F, Boise State
Marcelus Kemp, Sr. G, Nevada
Preseason Player of the Year: Jaycee Carroll, Utah State
Preseason Newcomer of the Year: Herb Pope, Fr. F, New Mexico State
