Fresno State Athletics
'Dogs On Road for Battle with Aztecs
11/21/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 21, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format 
Fresno State (1-1) at San Diego State (1-1)
Date: Saturday, November 22, 2008 (Tip Off: 1:00 p.m.)
Site: Cox Arena (12,414); San Diego, Calif.
Radio: KMJ 580 AM (Paul Loeffler/Randy Rosenbloom)
TV: None
Online: www.kmj580.com (Audio - Free)
Bulldogs Head Down Golden State for Battle with Aztecs
The Fresno State Bulldogs will continue their first road trip of the 2008-09 season as they visit San Diego State (Nov. 22). The trek down to play the Aztecs is the `Dogs longest scheduled bus trip (346 miles each way) and the first weekend matinee of the early 2008-09 season. This is the final contest of a two-game road trip for the Bulldogs before they return home next week to face Seattle University (Nov. 25) and Oregon State (Nov. 30)
About the Aztecs
San Diego State is 1-1 after their season and home opening 59-40 win over UCSD before falling to No. 15 Arizona State at home, 59-52. The Aztecs return all five starters (eight letterwinners) from a team that went 20-13 while earning a spot in the National Invitational Tournament. Steve Fisher will look to reach 350 career wins in his 18th year of collegiate head coaching. Senior forwards Lorrenzo Wade, Kyle Spain, and Ryan Amoroso will highlight the Aztec roster. Each averaged more than 10 points per game during their successful 2007-08 campaign.
Against the Aztecs
Fresno State trails the overall series with San Diego State, 51-44. The `Dogs have won 14 of the past 17 contests, but the Aztecs have won the past two games. The Bulldogs last battled the Aztecs in San Diego in 2001. The teams last met on Nov. 11, 2008 when the `Dogs hosted the Pape Slam as San Diego State won 89-72.
Freshmen Star in ESPN's College Hoops Tip-Off
In front of a raucous, hostile, and sellout crowd on national television, Fresno State battled throughout the late night madness to a 99-85 decision in favor of Saint Mary's College. Four Bulldogs (George, Ladd, O'Neil and Seay) reached double figures in Fresno State's road opener. The Gaels, a preseason top 30 team, improved to 2-0 on the season as the `Dogs dropped the first game of the year to move to 1-1.
George's Dunk Lands No. 1 "Play of the Day" on Sportscenter
Paul George's dunk during the Saint Mary's game late Monday night (and early Tuesday morning) landed as the No. 1 play on Sportscenter's Top 10 "Plays of the Day" for Nov. 18, 2008 and opened the preview highlights for the broadcast. The dunk, where the freshman slashed straight to the basket and delivered the emphatic one-handed slam on two Gael defenders, beat a pair of Lebron James' highlights for the top spot. As of 1:39 p.m. on Nov. 19, the YouTube video of the dunk had 6,178 hits.
Freshman Sensation Sets Bar High
George, a freshman from Palmdale, Calif., has averaged 19.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in his first pair of games as a Bulldog. On the road at Saint Mary's College, he recorded career-highs in points (25), rebounds (10), minutes (37), field goals (9), field goal attempts (16), three-pointers (2), three-point attempts (5), free throws (5) and free throw attempts (7) as well as tying career-highs in blocks (2) and assists (1). He is one of two freshman starters, along with fellow guard Mychal Ladd.
Bulldog Blog on www.gobulldogs.com
The Fresno State Media Relations office started addition to the content available to the Red Wave on www.gobulldog.com in the fall of 2008 with the addition of a "Bulldog Blog" for each sport. Members of the media relations staff will blog for his/her assigned sports at least twice when the sport is in season. Blogs will also come from student-athletes, coaches, athletic trainers and other staff assigned to the team. The blogs can be found on a link on the front page of www.gobulldogs.com. The Men's Basketball "Bulldog Blog" can be found at: http://gobulldogs.cstv.com/ot/bulldog-mbb-blog.html
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs continue on the road as they travel to San Diego State on Saturday, November 22 at 1:00 pm. The `Dogs return to the Save Mart Center on Tuesday, November 25 as they host Seattle at 7:00 pm. Tickets are on sale now through the Save Mart Center box office, by calling (559) 485-TIXS or online at ticketmaster.com.
