Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs to Host Evansville in MW/MVC Challenge
4/2/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Stephen Trembley
strembley@csufresno.edu
www.GoBulldogs.com
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Fresno State men's basketball team will host the Evansville Purple Aces on Dec. 20 in the renewal of the Mountain West/Missouri Valley Challenge featuring 10 annual matchups between the two conferences, the leagues announced Thursday.
This is the second straight season that Fresno State and Evansville will meet with the Purple Aces having defeated the Bulldogs 58-52 in the Gulf Coast Showcase in Estero, Fla., this past season on Nov. 24, 2014. Evansville leads the all-time series with Fresno State 3-1.
"Evansville is a well-coached team and this will be a very competitive game for us in non-conference play," Fresno State head coach Rodney Terry said. "We are working hard this offseason to give us a great opportunity to compete at a high level throughout the upcoming season and can't wait to get back on the basketball floor in front of the Red Wave this fall!"
The Mountain West and Missouri Valley conferences agreed to renew the annual Mountain West/Missouri Valley Challenge and the revived Challenge Series will feature head-to-head competition between 10 Mountain West and 10 Missouri Valley teams annually, with each conference hosting five games apiece each season.
Annual matchups for teams in the Challenge Series will be based upon factors including the previous year's achievements, records and RPI rankings, as well as projected rankings/strength of teams in the upcoming season, based on composite sources. Each season will be considered separately in terms of matchups, therefore, games from the previous year's Challenge Series may not be returned.
Television rights for each Challenge Series contest will be controlled by the home team's conference television agreement, which will dictate the distribution of the game and all related matters, including tip times.
"Bringing back the Mountain West-Missouri Valley Challenge is mutually beneficial for both leagues," said MW Commissioner Craig Thompson. "Improving overall non-conference schedules and providing quality opponents is important to the Mountain West. Aligning with another consistent Top-10 RPI league has proven to be successful as demonstrated during the last Challenge Series with the Missouri Valley from 2009-2013."
"The reintroduction of this Challenge Series is a positive step for both leagues," says MVC Commissioner Doug Elgin. "Tough non-conference scheduling has always been paramount in improving our league's stature on the national scene. The series helps institutions in both leagues achieve that goal. It's great for the fans of the Missouri Valley and the Mountain West as new rivalries are developed with nationally-recognized programs that have a strong commitment to men's basketball."
The Mountain West has ranked among the Top 10 in the NCAA's final RPI report in nine of the last 10 years, while the Valley has been among the Top 10 eight times during that same span. The leagues have combined for nine Sweet 16 and one Final Four (Wichita State) appearances over the last decade.
The previous Mountain West-Missouri Valley Challenge Series ran from the 2009-10 through 2012-13 seasons, with the MW compiling a 22-13 record. At least three Mountain West teams advanced to the NCAA tournament each year during that four-year span, including a league-record five teams in 2013 and four in both 2010 and 2012. The MW's 16 overall NCAA tournament participants during that period mark the best four-year tally in the 16-year history of the league.
In the 2015 Challenge Series, games will be played across November and December as noted below. In future seasons, Challenge Series contests will primarily be played during a nine-day window beginning the weekend after Thanksgiving.
Prior to the start of the 2015-16 season, Fresno State will be going on an European Tour this August. Details of the trip will be announced will be announced in the near future.
Below are the matchups for the 2015 MW-MVC Challenge Series:
Date - Matchup - Location
Friday, Nov. 13 - Illinois State at San Diego State - San Diego, Calif.
Friday, Nov. 13 - Air Force at Southern Illinois - Carbondale, Ill.
Saturday, Nov. 14 - Colorado State at UNI - Cedar Falls, Iowa
Monday, Nov. 16 - Wyoming at Indiana State - Terre Haute, Ind.
Wednesday, Nov. 18 - Loyola at New Mexico - Albuquerque, N.M.
Tuesday, Dec. 1 - Utah State at Missouri State - Springfield, Mo.
Wednesday, Dec. 2 - UNLV at Wichita State - Wichita, Kan.
Saturday, Dec. 12 - Drake at Nevada - Reno, Nev.
Sunday, Dec. 20 - Bradley at Boise State - Boise, Idaho
Sunday, Dec. 20 - Evansville at Fresno State - Fresno, Calif.
"Be Bold!" --- Season tickets for the 2015-16 Fresno State men's basketball season are on sale now by calling 559-278-DOGS. Full season packages start at $149.
