Fresno State Athletics
Men's Hoops Selected Seventh, Eighth in Preseason WAC Polls
10/14/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Oct. 14, 2008
Click HERE to Listen to the WAC Preseason Teleconference
FRESNO, Calif. - While the Fresno State men's basketball team will hit the court on Friday for the first official fall practice, the Bulldogs learned early Tuesday morning they were selected to finish seventh in the preseason media poll and eighth in the preseason coaches' poll.
"With so many new faces and players, we have a lot to work for and show how well we can play," head men's basketball coach Steve Cleveland said. "We are looking forward to starting practice on Friday as the next four weeks will be very important for our team as we focus on our ability to defend, not turning the ball over, and getting experience as quickly as possible."
Cleveland and senior guard Dwight O'Neil participated in the Western Athletic Conference preseason basketball teleconference Tuesday, which replaced the annual WAC Basketball Media Preview Day held last year in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Cleveland expects their competitive non-conference schedule to prepare his team to contend for a Western Athletic Conference championship by utilizing the skill and dedication of confident young men that play strong defense and an up-tempo style of basketball.
The coaches' and media poll tabbed the defending regular season co-champion Nevada Wolfpack as the early league favorite, topping both polls.
In the coaches' poll, Nevada tallied seven of nine first-place votes for 63 points. Utah State captured second place with 57 points, earning the other two first-place votes. New Mexico State took third place with 48 points. With 43 points, San Jose State was voted fourth. Boise State (30) and Louisiana Tech (29), followed behind in fifth and sixth place, respectively. Hawai'i (25) and Fresno State (20) finished seventh and eighth, respectively, while Idaho (9) was ranked night.
The coaches also voted on preseason first and second all-WAC teams. Nevada sophomore guard Armon Johnson, the 2007-08 WAC Freshman of the Year, leads the list of first-teamers. San Jose State junior center C.J. Webster and Utah State senior forward Gary Wilkinson, 2007-08 all-Newcomer team honorees, also earned spots on the preseason first team. New Mexico State guard Jonathan Gibson and Louisiana Tech guard Kyle Gibson round out the first team.
Second-team selections include Luke Babbitt (Nevada), Brandon Fields (Nevada), Anthony Thomas (Boise State), Tai Wesley (Utah State) and Jahmar Young (New Mexico State)
In the media poll, Nevada received 255 points and 20 first-place votes. Utah State was picked second with 220 points and four first place votes. New Mexico State garnered 201 points and two first place votes for third place followed by Louisiana Tech with 149 points. Boise State was fifth with three first place votes and 142 points followed by San Jose State with a first place vote and 132 points. Fresno State was seventh with 114 points, followed by Hawai`i (103) and Idaho (34).
The media also selected Utah State senior forward Gary Wilkinson as the preseason Player of the Year while Nevada freshman Luke Babbitt earned early recognition as the year's preseason Newcomer of the Year.
Wilkinson averaged 13.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game last season, helping Utah State to a share of the conference regular season crown last year.
Babbitt, a 2008 graduate of Galena High School in Reno, became the third player in Nevada prep history to be named a McDonald's All-American.
The All-WAC team included Wilkinson, New Mexico State junior guard Jonathan Gibson, Louisiana Tech junior guard Kyle Gibson, Nevada sophomore forward Armon Johnson, and San Jose State junior center C.J. Webster.
2008-09 Preseason Men's Basketball Coaches' Poll
Rank - Team (1st Place Votes) - Points
1. Nevada (7) --- 63
2. Utah State (2) --- 57
3. New Mexico State --- 48
4. San Jose State -- 43
5. Boise State --- 30
6. Louisiana Tech --- 29
7. Hawai`i --- 25
8. Fresno State --- 20
9. Idaho --- 9
2008-09 Preseason All-WAC Coaches' First Team
Jonathan Gibson, Jr., G, New Mexico St.
Kyle Gibson, Jr., G, Louisiana Tech
Armon Johnson, So., G, Nevada
C.J. Webster, Jr., C, San Jose State
Gary Wilkinson, Sr., F, Utah State
2008-09 Preseason All-WAC Coaches' Second Team
Luke Babbitt, Fr., F, Nevada
Brandon Fields, Jr., G, Nevada
Anthony Thomas, Jr., F, Boise State
Tai Wesley, So., F, Utah State
Jahmar Young, So., G, New Mexico St.
Preseason Coaches' Player of the Year: Armon Johnson, Nevada
2008-09 Preseason Men's Basketball Media Poll
Rank -Team (1st Place Votes) - Points
1. Nevada (20) --- 255
2. Utah State (4) --- 220
3. New Mexico State (2) --- 201
4. Louisiana Tech --- 149
5. Boise State (3) --- 142
6. San Jose State (1) --- 132
7. Fresno State --- 114
8. Hawai`i --- 103
9. Idaho --- 34
Preseason Media All-WAC Team
Jonathan Gibson, Jr., G, New Mexico State
Kyle Gibson, Jr., G, Louisiana Tech
Armon Johnson, So., G, Nevada
C.J. Webster, Jr., C, San Jose State
Gary Wilkinson, Sr., F, Utah State
Preseason Media Player of the Year: Gary Wilkinson, Sr., F, Utah State
Preseason Media Newcomer of the Year: Luke Babbitt, Fr., F, Nevada
Click HERE for the full WAC Release
Click HERE to view the 2008-09 Fresno State men's basketball schedule
"Join the State - Fresno State" --- Men's basketball season tickets, mini-plans, and single game tickets for the 2008-09 season will go on sale on Thursday, October 16 at 9 a.m. Fans can purchase mini plans and season tickets, by logging on to www,gobulldogs.com or by calling 559-278-DOGS. Single game tickets can be purchase through ticketmaster.com or by visiting the Save Mart Center Box Office.
