Fresno State Athletics
'Dogs Picked 6th, 7th in WAC Polls
10/18/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Oct. 18, 2011
FRESNO, Calif. - The Bulldogs know they have some work to do to exceed the expectations of the Western Athletic Conference head coaches and media members, who picked the Fresno State men's basketball team to finish sixth and seventh, respectively, in the 2011-12 preseason selections announced by the WAC office Tuesday morning.
That is one of the reasons new head coach Rodney Terry's intensity and energy is present around the clock, especially since the start of the fall practice last week.
"Mental toughness is what separates players," Terry said through his Twitter account (@RodneyTerry) about what it will take to stand out. "We expect guys to do what they're supposed to do and do the job the right way."
Fresno State opens the 2011-12 season on Nov. 11 at home against Illinois State. The game, which will be played on 11/11/11 will feature tickets as low as $11 and admission is free for all active and retired military members with ID in honor of Veterans' Day.
"We want our program to mirror our community - a hard-working team that competes night in and night out," Terry added. "We are so excited to represent the Valley."
The coaches selected Nevada as the preseason favorite to win the WAC and Wolf Pack sophomore Deonte Burton was tabbed the league's preseason Player of the Year.
Nevada received five first place votes and 46 points in the annual coaches' poll. New Mexico State captured second place with 41 points. Utah State took third place with 38 points and three first place votes. With 32 points, Hawai`i secured the fourth spot. Idaho (24) and Fresno State (18) followed closely behind in fifth and sixth place, respectively. San Jose State (14) and Louisiana Tech (11) finished seventh and eighth, respectively.
The coaches also voted on preseason first and second all-WAC teams. Burton led the list of first-teamers. Hawai`i senior center Vander Joaquim and senior guard Zane Johnson also earned spots on the preseason first team. New Mexico State senior forward Wendell McKines and Utah State senior guard Brockeith Pane rounded out the first team coaches selections.
Second-team selections include Kyle Barone (Idaho), Dario Hunt (Nevada), Hernst Laroche (New Mexico State), Brady Jardine (Utah State) and Malik Story (Nevada).
The media went with defending champion Utah State as the frontrunner for the conference title and named the Aggies' Brockeith Pane the preseason Player of the Year, and Hawai'i freshman guard Shaquille Stokes was tabbed this year's preseason Newcomer of the Year.
Utah State received 174 points and 13 first-place votes in the media poll. I Nevada was picked second with 162 points and five first place votes. New Mexico State garnered 150 points and three first place votes for third place followed by Hawai`i with 126 points and three first place votes. Idaho was fifth with 89 points followed by San Jose State with 66 points. Fresno State was seventh with 59 points, followed by Louisiana Tech (38) in the eighth spot.
The All-WAC team by the media included Pane, Burton, Hunt, Johnson and McKines.
Over the past 33 years, Fresno State ranks fourth in wins (587) among all Division 1 institutions on the West Coast, which includes the states of California, Oregon and Washington - behind only UCLA, Gonzaga and Stanford.
Fresno State will play a total of 14 regular season home games, including contests against the Pacific-12's Utah, the Mountain West's Boise State and defending Western Athletic Conference champion Utah State.
The Bulldogs will also host Fresno Pacific for an exhibition game on Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. prior to the start of the season.
Season tickets can be purchased through The Bulldog Foundation at 559-278-7160.
2011-12 Preseason Men's Basketball Coaches Poll
Teams (1st Place Votes) - Points
1. Nevada (5) - 46
2. New Mexico State - 41
3. Utah State (3) - 38
4. Hawai`i - 32
5. Idaho - 24
6. Fresno State - 18
7. San Jose State - 14
8. Louisiana Tech - 11
2011-12 Preseason All-WAC Coaches Teams
First Team
Deonte Burton, So., G, Nevada
Vander Joaquim, Jr., C, Hawai`i
Zane Johnson, Sr., G, Hawai`i
Wendell McKines, Sr., F, New Mexico State
Brockeith Pane, Sr., G, Utah State
Second Team
Kyle Barone, Jr., C, Idaho
Dario Hunt, Sr., F, Nevada
Hernst Laroche, Sr., G, New Mexico State
Brady Jardine, Sr., F, Utah State
Malik Story, Jr., G, Nevada
Player of the Year: Deonte Burton, Nevada
2011-12 Preseason Men's Basketball Media Poll
Team (1st Place Votes) - Points
1. Utah State (13) - 174
2. Nevada (5) - 162
3. New Mexico State (3) - 150
4. Hawai`i (3) - 126
5. Idaho - 89
6. San Jose State - 66
7. Fresno State - 59
8. Louisiana Tech - 38
2011-12 Preseason All-WAC Media Team
Deonte Burton, So., G, Nevada
Dario Hunt, Sr., F, Nevada
Zane Johnson, Sr., G, Hawai`i
Wendell McKines, Sr., F, New Mexico State
Brockeith Pane, Sr., G, Utah State
Preseason Player of the Year: Brockeith Pane, Sr., G, Utah State
Newcomer of the Year: Shaquille Stokes, Fr., G, Hawai`i
"We Are Your Team!" - The first chance to get a look at the 'Dogs will be at Red & White Hoops Night on Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. in the Save Mart Center. You can always stay connected with Fresno State Athletics and Coach Rodney Terry on Facebook and Twitter (@FSAthletics and @RodneyTerry).
