Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Host Toreros in Sunday Matinee
12/5/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 5, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State Bulldog men's basketbal team is back in the Save Mart Center at 4 p.m. on Sunday afternoon to battle the San Diego Toreros in non-conference contest. This is the Dogs' second home game in a span of playing five of six games in Fresno, Calif., to start the month of December. After a pair of 65-59 victories to open the season, Fresno State is looking to snap a four-game losing streak by an avearge of six points per contest.
Fresno State (2-4) vs University of San Diego (4-4)
Date: Sunday, December 6, 2009 (Tip Off: 4:00 p.m. PT)
Site: Save Mart Center (15,596); Fresno, Calif.
Radio: KMJ 580 AM (Paul Loeffler/Randy Rosenbloom)
TV: None
Online: Bulldog All-Access (www.gobulldogs.com)
Big Week for Bulldog Basketball
As the talented, yet still young Bulldog men's basketball team continues non-conference action, Fresno State will have multiple opportunities this week to showcase its drive and fire to compete with perennial powers. With today's meeting with San Diego, the Dogs will play the first of three games over the next seven days. The second contest will tip on Tuesday night on the Malibu coastline against Pepperdine, which will be shown live in the San Joaquin Valley on the Bullodg Sports Network (KAIL/ESPN360.com). The week will end with "Conquer the Mountain Saturday" when the BYU Cougars enter the Save Mart Center for the first time at 7 p.m. on December 12, 2009.
Freshman Smith One of Nation's Most Efficient Shooters
When 6-10 center Greg Smith decided to play for his hometown Bulldogs, head coach Steve Cleveland and his staff knew they were getting a talented front court player and an even more grounded and humble young man. In his first six games as a Bulldog, Smith asserted his presence in the low post and is sixth in the nation in field goal percentage (30-43; 69.8%), for players with more than five field goals made per game and competing in at least 75% of their team's games. The freshman has notched a team-best three double-doubles.
SI Lists George as West's "Most Entertaining Player"
Sports Illustrated named Fresno State sophomore Paul George as the most entertaining player in the West region and the eighth most entertaining player in the nation on their list of the "Top 16 Most Entertaining Players in College Basketball." George (Palmdale, Calif.) is the only Western Athletic Conference player on the list of 16 and ranked one spot ahead of the lone Pacific-10 player, Isaiah Thomas of Washington. George caught the attention of SI.com's Luke Winn with his dunking ability and aggressive mindset.
Golubovic Looks For Back-to-Back Academic All-District Honors
Junior forward Nedeljko Golubovic earned the Bulldogs' first Academic All-District honors in February 2009. As a key veteran on a stacked team, Golubovic returns as one of three starters. Golubovic is a strong athlete with a competitive fire and an intelligent mindset on the floor, who also excels in the classroom. On the hardwood, Golubovic averaged 7.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game last season and holds over a 3.8 cumulative grade point average through his first four semesters at Fresno State.
About the Toreros
The University of San Diego Toreros, a member of the West Coast Conference, is 4-4 on the season, with victories over nationally ranked Oklahoma, Stanford, Houston and Point Loma Nazarene. The Toreros finished second at the Great Alaska Shootout and are led by Brandon Johnson (15.6 ppg) and De'jon Jackson (12.9 ppg). Head Coach Bill Grier is 42-34 in his third season with San Diego. The Toreros are looking to snap a three-game losing streak after starting the year with an impressive 4-1 mark.
Against the Toreros
Fresno State leads the overall series with San Diego, 7-1, and a perfect 5-0 in home games. Head Coach Steve Cleveland went 1-1 in his first two contests with San Diego in his first two seasons back home in Fresno against the Toreros. The last meeting came on Dec. 30, 2006 when the Bulldogs won 68-65 in the Save Mart Center.
"We Are Your Team! " - The Men's basketball team will face the San Diego Toreros on Sunday, December 6th at the Save Mart Center. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. Then the `Dogs will travel to Pepperdine to challenge the Waves on December 8th, which will be shown live on the Bulldog Sports Network. On Dec. 12, Fresno State hosts "Conquer the Mountain Saturday" with an elite game against the BYU Cougars at 7 p.m. Tickets to all home basketball games can be purchased through the Save Mart Center Box Office, by calling 559-485-TIXS or through Ticketmaster.com. For more information on Fresno State athletics visit GoBulldogs.com.
