Fresno State Athletics
'Dogs to battle for sweep of Spartans
2/1/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Game Notes: Fresno State at San Jose State 
Game 22: Fresno State (14-7, 5-3) at San Jose State (7-15, 2-8)
Feb. 3, 2016 -- 7 p.m. PT -- San Jose, Calif. (The Event Center)
TV: Mountain West Network (Justin Allegri)
Radio: 940 AM ESPN Radio (Paul Loeffler/Randy Rosenbloom)
Series History: Fresno State leads 84-75 (overall); SJSU leads 39-31 (when playing in San Jose)
Last Meeting: Fresno State 81, San Jose State 74 (Fresno, Calif. - Jan. 16, 2016)
Next Up: vs. UNLV (Feb. 6 - NIGHT IN NAVY); vs. San Diego State (Feb. 10 - WHITE OUT)
Bulldog Bones
• Fresno State is seeking its sixth straight win in series with San Jose State.
• With a win at SJSU, Fresno State would match its best 9-game conference start since the 2004-05 season when the 'Dogs opened league play 6-3.
• Fresno State is off to its best 21-game start (14-7, seven games above .500) since the 2006-07 season when being nine games above .500 (15-6).
• Fresno State leads the MW in offensive rebounding (13.7/game).
• 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
'Dogs To Battle for Sweep of Spartans
Fresno State (14-7, 5-3 Mountain West) heads north to the Bay Area to play the San Jose State Spartans (7-15, 2-8 MW) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. PT inside The Event Center. The game will be broadcast on the Mountain West Network and 940 AM ESPN Radio. 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 frontcourt in juniors Karachi Edo, Torren Jones and Cullen Russo.
About the San Jose State Spartans
The San Jose State Spartans (Mountain West) are 7-15 this season, including a 5-5 mark in home games and 2-8 record in conference play. SJSU is led by Frank Rogers (12.5 ppg/6.6 rpg) and Ryan Welage (11.7 ppg/5.9 rpg). Fresno State leads the all-time series with San Jose State 84-75 with the Bulldogs winning the last five meetings and six of the last seven. Fresno State is 6-1 versus SJSU since head coach Rodney Terry's arrival in 2011.
Harris Ranks Among the Best in the Nation
• Marvelle Harris is one of two players in the nation (Kay Felder-Oakland) that ranks in the top four in their respective conferences in: points per game, assists per game, steals per game, assist to turnover ratio and minutes per game (all games played).
• Harris is also one of eight players in the nation to rank in the top four in their respective conferences: points per game, assists per game and steals per game (all games played). The other seven players are: Kris Dunn of Providence, Ethan Telfair of Idaho State, Juan'Ya Green of Hofstra, Alex Hamilton of Louisiana Tech, Kay Felder of Oakland, Robert Hatter of Cornell and Gary Payton II of Oregon State.
Harris Climbing Up the Record Books
• Second player in school history (Wil Hooker) to rank in the Top 10 in program history in: points, assists, steals, field goals, 3-point field goals and free throws.
• Ranks No. 1 all-time in program history in free throws made (431) and free throw attempts (577).
• Harris is ranked No. 3 on Fresno State's all-time scoring list (1,709 points) - 30 points away from tying Wil Hooker (1,739) for second.
• Harris is ranked No. 5 all-time on Fresno State's career steals list (170) - two steals away from tying Terrance Roberson (172) for fourth.
• Harris is ranked No. 6 all-time on Fresno State's career field goal attempts list (1,332) - 32 away from tying Roy Jones & Wil Hooker (1,362) for fifth.
• Harris is ranked No. 8 all-time on Fresno State's career assists list (326) - 18 assists from tying Wil Hooker (344) for seventh.
Between the Baselines: Harris' Senior Season
• Harris is averaging 19.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.
• Harris has scored 12 or more points in 20 of last 21 games (11-straight).
• Harris has made 16-straight free throws (12 shy of tying school record).
• Harris is No. 3 in the MW in scoring (20.5 ppg, conference games).
• Harris is No. 3 in the MW in scoring (19.2 ppg, full season).
• Harris is No. 3 in the MW in assists (86, 4.1 apg).
• Harris is No. 3 in the MW in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.9 A-T/O, 86-45).
Harris' Career Numbers Are Impressive
• Scored career-best 40 points in 69-66 win at Nevada (1/10/15).
• Has scored in double figures 91 times in his career (20 this year).
• Has scored 20 or more points in a game 25 times in his career.
• Has scored 25 or more points in a game 14 times in his career.
• Has scored 30 or more points in a game three times in his career.
• Has posted five career double-doubles.
Two 'Dogs Averaging Double-Digits This Year
Senior Marvelle Harris is one of two Bulldogs who are averaging at least 10 points per game this season: Harris (19.2 ppg/4.7 rpg/4.1 apg/1.9 spg) and Torren Jones (10.5 ppg/7.9 rpg). Paul Watson (9.5 ppg), Karachi Edo (9.2 ppg) and Cezar Guerrero (8.4 ppg) are close to joining the club.
Edo Flying High, Continuing to Improve
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 is up to 9.2 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 7.1 rpg up from 4.3 rpg as a sophomore from 3.3 rpg as a freshman. Edo leads the MW in offensive rebounding (3.5/game). He also has a team-best nine career double-doubles, with six coming this season.
Watson's Versatility Key as Bulldogs Rise
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 26-for-68 (38.2%) from beyond the 3-point arc and has the second-most blocks on the team.
Russo Earning Bigger Role for MW Stretch Run
Junior college transfer Cullen Russo, a 6-9 versatile forward, has used his agility and length to separate himself as a key contributor, especially on the boards and offensively in the paint. Russo made his first start in the Bulldogs' 71-60 win over Wyoming when he posted a double-double (10 points/10 rebounds) for his second double-double of the season. Defensively, he disrupts lanes and gets in good position to rebound. Offensively, Russo also gets his teammates involved as a good distributor of the ball as he is one of five rotation players with a positive assist-to-turnover ratio.
'Dogs Among Best in the Mountain West
• Marvelle Harris ranks in the Top 4 in the MW in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.9), scoring (19.2 ppg), points scored (403), steals (39, 1.9 spg) and assists (86, 4.1 apg).
• Torren Jones is second in the MW in and field goal percentage (90-173, 52.0 percent) and third in the MW in rebounding (7.9 rpg).
• Karachi Edo is fourth in the MW in blocks (1.4 bpg).
• Cezar Guerrero is fourth in the MW in 3-point shooting (33-81, 40.7%).
• Edo (3.5/game) and Jones (3.4/game) lead the MW in total offensive rebounds and offensive rebounds per game.
Trending in Terry's Tenure
• Fresno State is 22-2 when scoring 80 or more points in Terry's first five seasons and 17-1 in those games since the start of the 2013-14 season.
• Fresno State is 64-27 when limiting an opponent to under 70 points in Terry's first five seasons and 25-5 since the start of the 2014-15 season.
• Fresno State is 10-1 when having at least five Bulldogs score at least 10 points in a game in Terry's first five seasons (2-0 this year).
Key Situations to Watch This Season
• Fresno State has scored 80 or more points in seven 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 8-0 this season when its defense forces an opponent to make less than 40 percent from the field.
• Fresno State is 10-0 when holding an opponent under 70 points this year.
• Fresno State has won 23 of its last 24 games when leading at halftime.
• Fresno State has won 16-straight games when leading with five minutes remaining in the second half.
• Fresno State is one of two Mountain West schools (San Diego State) to earn a road win so far at UNLV this season. UNLV has beaten New Mexico, Air Force and Boise State at the Thomas & Mack Center this season. The Bulldogs and Runnin' Rebels meet at the Save Mart Center on Saturday at 4 p.m. PT in a NAVY OUT when the 'Dogs will wear their alternate navy blue uniforms and all fans are encouraged to wear navy to the game. A limited edition of 2,500 navy t-shirts will be given away during the game.
Former Bulldog Named NBA All-Star Starter
Former Fresno State basketball player and current Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (2008-10) was named as a starter for the 2015 Eastern Conference All-Stars. In his sixth season in the NBA, George will start in the NBA All-Star Game, Feb. 14, in Toronto. Making his third All-Star game appearance, George was voted a starter by fan voting for the second time. He was third in the Eastern Conference with 711,595 votes.
In 2014, George was voted by the fans as a starter for the Eastern Conference team for the game in New Orleans; and also participated in the Slam Dunk Contest that weekend. In 2013, George was selected by the Eastern Conference coaches as a reserve on the All-Star team for the game in Houston. He also participated in the Three-Point Contest in 2013. Prior to that, George participated in the All-Star weekend festivities in Orlando in the Rising Stars Challenge as well as the Slam Dunk Contest in 2012.
