Fresno State Athletics
'Dogs Host No. 24 Saint Mary's
1/7/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 7, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State welcomes its first nationally-ranked team to the Save Mart Center this season when Saint Mary's (12-2) comes to town for a Tuesday night game. The Gaels had their five-game winning streak snapped on Saturday with a loss at No. 14 Texas. Their only other loss was at Southern Illinois. After Tuesday's game, the Dogs get back to WAC action hosting Idaho on Saturday night. Both games this week are at 7 p.m.
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WAC Coaches Conference Call Begins
With the beginning of the WAC season, the Western Athletic Conference Media Conference begin Monday, Jan. 7. Fresno State head coach Steve Cleveland will be on the conference call weekly at 10:07 a.m. PT. Check the WAC schedule for times for all of the coaches.
Dogs Get Road Split
In the most difficult road trip of the season, Fresno State gained a split last weekend winning at Louisiana Tech 61-44 and losing at defending WAC champion New Mexico State 77-67.
Scouting Saint Mary's
The Gaels, ranked No. 24 in the latest USA Today Coaches Poll, have been in the national rankings in both polls this season and enter the week with a 12-1 record, which includes an impressive win over No. 11 Oregon 99-87. The loss for coach Randy Bennett's club was at Southern Illinois. Saint Mary's won the Rainbow Classic Tournament at Hawaii and beat San Diego State 69-65 in the John Wooden Classic. Averaging nearly 80 points per game, the Gaels are led by Patrick Mills (16.2 ppg), Diamon Simpson (12.2) and Omar Samhan (12.2). Saint Mary's likes to shoot threes, with more than 100 this season. In their only game last week, the Gaels played at No. 14 Texas.
Against the Gaels
The Gaels lead the series which began in 1926 17-16, but the Dogs have won five of the six games since 1990. Fresno State beat SMC 67-65 in the last meeting in 2002.
Scouting the Vandals
The Bulldogs welcome a much-improved Idaho squad to the Save Mart Center this week. Despite a 3-10 overall record, the Vandals have been giving teams fits this season. Their average loss margin is four points per game. Jordan Brooks leads the Vandals in scoring at 10 points per game. Idaho's non-conference schedule included games against nationally-ranked Washington State, Gonzaga and Arizona State.
Against the Vandals
Although this series began in 1927, the two schools have met just seven times. The Dogs hold a 5-2 all-time lead in the series and are 3-1 in WAC games against the Vandals.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The Fresno State men's basketball team returns home to the Save Mart Center on Tuesday, January 8 against Saint Mary's at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, by phone at (559)485-TIXS, or in person at the Save Mart Center box office.
