Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Host Lobos in MW Home Opener
12/31/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Game Notes: New Mexico at Fresno State 
Game 15: New Mexico (8-6, 1-0) at Fresno State (10-4, 1-0)
Jan. 2, 2016 -- 6:30 p.m. PT -- Fresno, Calif. (Save Mart Center)
TV: CBS Sports Network (Rich Waltz/Steve Smith)
Radio: 940 AM ESPN Radio (Paul Loeffler/Randy Rosenbloom - English) & 1600 AM ESPN Deportes (Jesse Beltran/Octavio Durate - Spanish)
Series History: New Mexico leads 13-8 (overall); Fresno State leads 7-3 (games played in Fresno)
Last Meeting: Fresno State 59, New Mexico 55 (Fresno, Calif. - 2/28/15)
Bulldog Bones
• Fresno State is seeking its best start (11-4) since a 13-2 start in 2006.
• Fresno State is seeking its first 2-0 conference start since 2010-11 season.
• Fresno State is seeking its second straight win in a Mountain West home opener.
• Fresno State is 1-2 all-time in MW home openers.
• Fresno State is the first MW team to reach 10 wins this season.
• Fresno State was picked to finish fifth in the Mountain West by the league's media in a preseason poll in mid-October.
• Fresno State has improved its conference win total in each of the last three seasons since head coach Rodney Terry arrived in 2011.
• REFERENCE: "Fresno State" (never: FSU, CSUF, Fresno State University, or just simply "Fresno"); ABBREVIATION: Fresno St. or FS
Harris Named MW Preseason Player of the Year
• Fresno State senior guard Marvelle Harris was named the 2015-16 Mountain West Preseason Player of the Year by the conference media.
• Harris is the third Bulldog to earn preseason conference player of the year honors, joining former NBA players Courtney Alexander and Melvin Ely.
• Harris is one of 20 players in the nation to be named to the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Watch List.
• Harris was named first-team All-MW and to the league's All-Defensive Team by the league's head coaches for the 2014-15 season.
• Harris also earned first-team All-MW honors from a MW media panel.
Harris Climbing Up the Record Books
• Harris is ranked No. 5 on Fresno State's all-time scoring list (1,567 points) - 17 points away from tying Carl Ray Harris (1,584 points) for fourth.
• Harris is ranked No. 6 all-time on Fresno State's career steals list (155) - 12 steals away from tying Mike Mitchell (1986-88) for fifth (167).
• Harris is ranked No. 9 all-time on Fresno State's career field goal attempts list (1,214) - five away from tying Tod Bernard for eighth (1,219).
• Harris is ranked No. 10 all-time in 3-point field goal attempts (430).
• Harris is eight assists from tying Terrance Roberson (1996-2000, 308 assists) for 10th all-time in program history. Harris has 300 career assists.
'Dogs Host Lobos in Another MW Showdown
Fresno State will host the New Mexico Lobos on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. PT at the Save Mart Center on CBS Sports Network, 940 AM ESPN Radio and 1600 AM ESPN Deportes. There will be a limited edition Coach Terry t-shirt given away to 250 fans at the game and Mutts in Motion will perform at halftime. Tickets start at $15 and the Save Mart Center Box Office will open early for fans at 2:30 p.m. PT on gameday. Fresno State's rotation is headlined by a veteran backcourt in three senior guards, including 2015-16 Mountain West Preseason Player of the Year Marvelle Harris, and a formidable frontcourt with juniors Karachi Edo and Torren Jones.
About the New Mexico Lobos
The New Mexico Lobos (Mountain West) are 8-6 this season and tied with Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State for first place in the conference standings after an 88-76 win over Nevada on Wednesday. The Lobos are led by Elijah Brown (19.9 ppg) and Tim Williams (16.4 ppg/7.2 rpg). UNM leads the all-time series 13-8, but the Bulldogs own a 7-3 advantage in games played in Fresno and won the last meeting 59-55 last season.
Between the Baselines: Statistical Notes
• Fresno State has a +5.6 rebounding margin/game (564-486) this season.
• Fresno State has a +3.6 turnover margin/game (169-219) this season.
• Fresno State owns a +2.9 steal margin/game (106-66) this season.
• Fresno State owns a +1.7 block margin/game (64-41) this season.
• Fresno State has limited 12 of its 14 opponents to under 80 points.
• Fresno State has not committed more turnovers than its opponents in 12 of its 14 games this season, 27 of its last 33 games, and 112 of the 148 games (75.7 percent) since head coach Rodney Terry's arrival in 2011.
Between the Baselines: Harris Highlights
• Harris scored a season-high 26 points in the Bulldogs' 82-65 win at Rice.
• Harris is No. 2 in the MW in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.1 A-T/O, 60-28), including a 13-6 A/TO ratio in the Bulldogs' last four games.
• Harris is averaging 18.6 points and 4.3 assists per game this season.
Three 'Dogs Averaging Double-Digits This Year
Senior Marvelle Harris leads three Bulldogs, who are averaging at least 10 points per game this season: Harris (18.6 ppg/4.3 rpg/4.3 apg/1.7 spg), Torren Jones (11.8 ppg/8.1 rpg) and Jahmel Taylor (11.0 ppg). Paul Watson (9.9 ppg) and Cezar Guerrero (9.1 ppg) are close to joining the club.
Edo Making Big Strides in his Development
Karachi Edo has been a fan favorite since his arrival at Fresno State in 2013 for his high-flying athleticism and passionate play. On the floor, Edo has made significant progress during his Fresno State career - his scoring average to 8.8 ppg this year as a junior after doubling his scoring average to 8.0 ppg as a sophomore from 4.0 ppg as a freshman. He is also averaging 7.3 rpg up from 4.3 rpg as a sophomore from 3.3 rpg as a freshman. Edo ranks third in the MW in blocked shots (1.6 bpg). He also has a team-best seven career double-doubles, with four coming this season.
Versatile Watson Focused on Production
Bulldogs' junior guard/forward Paul Watson - the 2013-14 Mountain West Freshman of the Year - gives Fresno State a versatile option on the wing and the post. Watson has played both slots this year, primarily on the wing. This season, he has stretched opposing defenses behind 19-for-49 (38.8%) from beyond the 3-point arc and has the second-most blocks on the team.
Ellison, Russo Making an Impact off the Bench
Junior college transfers Lionel Ellison III (Coffeyville CC) and Cullen Russo (New Mexico JC) have quickly become earned roles in the Bulldogs' rotation off the bench. Ellison and Russo have averaged around 20 minutes per game as reserves. Ellison, a 6-2 point guard, is a strong defender and has efficiently run the offense with a 1.5 assist-to-turnover ratio (22-15). Russo, 6-9 versatile forward, had a double-double (10 points/10 rebounds) in the Bulldogs' 80-72 win over Lamar on Nov. 16, 2015. Both have also converted around 70 percent of their attempts from the free throw line.
Jones Providing Power in the Paint
Fresno State junior forward Torren Jones, who played his freshman season in the SEC at Missouri and his sophomore season at Midland Junior College, delivered a double-double in each of his first two games as a Bulldog. The last Bulldog to accomplish that feat was Dominic McGuire in 2006. Jones had 13 points and 14 rebounds to help the 'Dogs to a come-from-behind 69-66 season-opening victory over Pepperdine and backed it up with a career-high 19 points and added 12 rebounds in the Bulldogs' 80-72 win over Lamar. Jones was the first Bulldog to post a double-double in his debut since then-freshman Greg Smith had 17 points and 10 rebounds in a 65-59 season-opening victory over San Francisco State on Nov. 13, 2009. The 14 rebounds were also the most by a Bulldog since Alex Davis had 15 in a 71-67 overtime win over Northern Arizona on Dec. 1, 2013.
Hard Work Gives Carter Opportunity
Fresno State sophomore center Terrell Carter II (6-10, 285 pounds) has put in a lot of work to get his body in shape and ready to compete at the Division I level. While he only saw limited playing time in the Bulldogs' first 10 games this season, Carter came through when Fresno State needed him to step up to match up with Bakersfield's inside presence on Dec. 16, 2015. Carter was a key factor in the in the Bulldogs' 76-68 win with a career-best 13 points while making all five of his field goal attempts in 22 minutes off the bench. As a freshman, Carter played in 18 games with three starts while averaging 3.6 points and 2.0 rebounds per game.
Protecting the Yard
• Fresno State is 19-4 overall at home since the start of the 2014-15 season.
• Fresno State is 135-66 (67.2 percent) all-time at the Save Mart Center.
• Fresno State has won 10 of its last 11 home games.
• Fresno State has won 11 of its last 12 non-conference home games.
• Fresno State is 25-7 in non-conference home games in head coach Rodney Terry's first five seasons and the 'Dogs are 18-3 in non-conference home games since the start of the 2013-14 season.
'Dogs Among Best in the Mountain West
• Cezar Guerrero leads the MW in 3-point shooting (23-51, 45.1 percent).
• Torren Jones is fourth in the MW in rebounding (8.1 rpg).
• Jones is also fourth in field goal percentage (69-128, 53.9 percent).
• Fresno State's Karachi Edo is fifth in the MW in blocks (1.6 bpg).
• Fresno State's Marvelle Harris ranks in the Top 4 in the MW in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.1), scoring (18.6 ppg), points scored (261), steals (24, 1.7 spg) and assists (60, 4.3 apg).
Spotlight Stats
• Fresno State has won 20 of its last 21 games when leading at halftime.
• Fresno State has scored 80 or more points in five games this season. The Bulldogs scored 80 or more points only three times during the entire 2014-15 season, including two over non D-1 opponents.
• Fresno State is 20-2 when scoring 80 or more points in Terry's first five seasons and 15-1 in those games since the start of the 2013-14 season.
• Fresno State is 61-27 when limiting an opponent to under 70 points in Terry's first five seasons and 22-5 since the start of the 2014-15 season.
• Fresno State is 7-0 when holding an opponent under 70 points this year.
Fresno State Continues MW Ascent
Fresno State continued its ascension in conference play with 10 league wins and posted wins over four of the 68 teams that made it to the 2015 NCAA Tournament (Boise State, San Diego State, UC Irvine and Wyoming) during the 2014-15 season. Each of those four teams won either their regular season or conference tournament championship. The Bulldogs also earned a first-round bye as the No. 6 seed in the 2015 MW Tournament.
