Fresno State Athletics
Shepp a Dog on the Move
1/6/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 6, 2010
FRESNO, Calif. - It's not surprising his favorite players are steady all-star point guards.
Bulldog sophomore guard Steven Shepp plays the game with the same smarts and savvy as John Stockton, Chris Paul and Steve Nash. With his frame and short dark hair, he could pass for one of Stockton's relatives. While his stats didn't match those of his heroes, his solid performance Saturday night at the Save Mart Center against Boise State was a key to the Bulldogs 71-68 come from behind win.
Shepp is a newcomer to the Bulldog program and as the season has progressed, is emerging as a floor leader and ball distributor. He's improved with each outing.
The Virginia native came out west to play for the Fresno State, leaving behind his long-time girlfriend and five-month old daughter, Amiya. He was one of the top junior college point guards in his region and showed the Fresno State coaching staff qualities needed to help the squad.
With many of the other talented pieces in place, head coach Steve Cleveland needed an unselfish point guard who would play solid defense, distribute the ball and not commit turnovers in order to be a WAC contender. As one of the top junior college guards in Maryland, he averaged nearly as many assists as he did points (7.4 points to 6.0 assists). A well-rounded player, he contributed five rebounds and 2.5 steals per game.
Shepp is developing into a solid Division I point guard. He needs more experience and to be more consistent night-in and night-out, but he's coming on.
In his 11th game as a Bulldog, he handed out nine assists, most in a game by a Bulldog this season. He's leading the team in three-point field goal percentage shooting (21-49, .429) and assists (72) and taken over as the starter at point guard for the last 10 games.
He was vital to Fresno State's comeback over the Broncos last night. Shepp scored five straight points near the 9 minute mark with a driving layup and a long-range three point basket from the right wing to cut the BSU lead to 50-48. The Dogs were able to keep the game close from that point, overtaking the Broncos in the final 10 seconds to win their WAC opener. He directed the team to a total of three turnovers in the second half, only committing one himself. As a team, the Dogs had just nine turnovers in the game. Shepp finished the Boise State game with seven points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal.
With two more WAC home games in the next 10 days, the Dogs have a goal to win every remaining home game. Fresno State hosts rival Hawaii next Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Save Mart Center.
Since becoming a starter, his scoring average has improved two points per game and his rebound average is up to 2.4 per contest. He's even proven to be a scorer when needed, with a season-high of 17 points at Pepperdine. His recent performances indicate he's making the kind of progress the Dogs need to accomplish their goals.
"The transition from junior college to Division I is a tall order," said Cleveland, who was a junior college coach before moving on to the Division I level. "Steven has handled it well. This young man came all the way across the country, left his family and had to learn a whole new environment in California. He's adjusted well as a student and a person and his best basketball is ahead of him."
"We Are Your Team" - "We Are Your Team" - The `Dogs will be bring the Rainbow Warriors of Hawaii and the San Jose Spartans to town on January 9th and 11th. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Save Mart Center. All kids will receive free admission to see the `Dogs host the Rainbow Warriors. Tickets to both games can be purchased through the Save Mart Center Box Office, by calling 559-485-TIXS or through Ticketmaster.com.
This article was originally written in the Fresno State Official Sports Report. To receive the Official Sports Report log onto www.officialsportsreport.com to sign up.
