Fresno State Athletics
Thursday, March 9
Las Vegas, Nev.
2:30 p.m. PT
Fresno State
vs
New Mexico
’Dogs start title defense, face Lobos in MW quarters
3/7/2017 12:34:00 PM | Men's Basketball
No. 4 Fresno State faces No. 5 New Mexico in a MW quarterfinal on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. PT on CBS Sports Network and 940 AM ESPN Radio.
2017 Mountain West Basketball Championships
No. 4 seed Fresno State (19-11, 11-7 MW)
Quarterfinals: Thursday, March 9 • 2:30 p.m. PT (CBS Sports Network)
Semifinals: Friday, March 10 • 7 p.m. PT (CBS Sports Network)
Championship Game: Saturday, March 11 • 3 p.m. PT (CBS)
Note: All Fresno State games will also be broadcast on 940 AM ESPN Radio (Paul Loeffler/Marc Q. Jones)
Opening Tip
• Fresno State is the defending Mountain West tournament champion and represented the conference in the 2016 NCAA Tournament.
• Fresno State enters the 2017 MW Championships on a season-long five-game winning streak. Last season, the Bulldogs ended the regular season on a six-game winning streak before winning the 2016 MW Championship.
• Fresno State is one of two MW teams (Boise State) to have earned a first round bye for the MW Championships in each of the last three seasons.
• Fresno State enters the MW Championships one win away from its 21st season with at least 20 wins and third in the last four seasons.
• Fresno State enters the MW Championships 10-2 since the start of the 2015-16 season in tournament contests (non-conference and postseason).
• This is the fifth time in the Bulldogs' last 15 conference tournament apperances the Bulldogs have had a Top 4 seed.
'Dogs start title defense, face Lobos in MW Quarterfinals
No. 4 seed Fresno State (19-11, 11-7 Mountain West) will open the 2017 MW Championships when the Bulldogs face No. 5 seed New Mexico (17-13, 10-8 MW) on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. PT inside the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network and 940 AM ESPN Radio. Fresno State is the defending MW tournament champion and made the program's sixth NCAA Tournament last season.
Deshon Taylor earns All-MW honors
Fresno State redshirt sophomore guard Deshon Taylor has been one of the most consistent and tenacious players in the Mountain West, especially down the stretch. He earned third-team All-MW honors from the league's head coaches and second-team All-MW honors from a MW media panel. Since becoming a starter on Jan. 14, Taylor has scored at least 15 points in all 13 of his starts to close the regular season and has averaged 20.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game in those 13 contests.
Jaron Hopkins named to MW's All-Defensive team
Fresno State redshirt junior guard Jaron Hopkins has established himself as one of the premier defenders in the nation for disrupting passing lanes and scoring in transition. Hopkins was named to the Mountain West's All-Defensive team by the conference's head coaches and earned third-team All-MW honors from a MW media panel. This season, Hopkins has averaged a team-best 13.3 points, while also adding 5.5 rebounds, a team-high 3.5 assists and 2.1 steals per game. Hopkins, who played his first two seasons at Colorado, has played in all 30 games this season, with 24 starts.
• REFERENCE: "Fresno State" (never: FSU, CSUF, Fresno State University, or just simply "Fresno"); ABBREVIATION: Fresno St. or FS
Bulldog Bones - Coach/Team Notes
• Fresno State head coach Rodney Terry will coach his 200th game at Fresno State when the Bulldogs face the Lobos on Thursday.
• Terry enters the 2017 MW Championships with a 104-95 record in six seasons as the Bulldogs' head coach. Fresno State is 4-3 all-time in MW tournament games (joined conference in 2012).
• Fresno State ranks 12th in the nation in steals per game (8.6 spg, 257).
• Fresno State has won 15 consecutive games when holding an opponent to under 60 points (7-0 this season, including 4-0 record vs. MW opponents).
• Fresno State is a Mountain West-best 23-4 in MW home games during the last three seasons and also leads the league with a 16-2 record in MW home games over the course of the last two seasons. Fresno State was 8-1 at home this season during conference play.
• Fresno State is 5-1 versus Nevada (2-0), CSU (1-1) and Boise State (2-0).
• Fresno State and New Mexico split the season series (1-1). (Note: A supplement preview of Thursday's game will be available on Wednesday.)
Bulldog Bones - Player Notes
• Fresno State junior guard Jahmel Taylor is fourth in the nation in 3-point shooting (75-for-164, 45.8 percent).
• Fresno State redshirt junior guard Jaron Hopkins is 17th in the nation in steals per game (2.1 spg, 64 steals).
• Fresno State redshirt sophomore guard Deshon Taylor ranks 44th in the nation (1st in the MW) in free throw shooting (87.1 percent, 128-147).
• Fresno State redshirt sophomore guard Deshon Taylor made 75 of his last 79 free throw attempts (94.9 percent, last nine games).
• Fresno State redshirt sophomore guard Deshon Taylor has made 11 of his last 16 (68.8 percent) 3-point attempts (last four games). He has made multiple 3-pointers in six of the last eight games and three or more 3-pointers in four of the last seven games.
Deshon Taylor shining as a starter
• Since being inserted into the Bulldogs' starting line-up on Jan. 14, Fresno State redshirt sophomore guard Deshon Taylor has averaged 20.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game (13 games).
• As a starter, Deshon Taylor has also shot 89.7 percent at the free throw line (105-for-119 FT), compared to 76.7 percent (23-30 FT) as a reserve.
• In the first 17 games of the season (no starts), Deshon Taylor averaged 5.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.9 steals per game.
• Deshon Taylor made 37.7 percent (26-for-69 FGA) and 28.9 percent (13-for-45 3FGA) in his first 17 games (as a reserve), while he is shooting 47.5 percent (67-for-141 FGA) and 46.8 percent (29-for-62 3FGA) in the last 13 games (as a starter) for increases of 8.7 percent (FGA) and 17.9 percent (3FGA) since joining the starting line-up on Jan. 14.
• Taylor scored a career-high 32 points, including a 17-for-18 clip at the free throw line, in a quadruple overtime game at Wyoming on Feb. 8. His 17 free throws set a school record for most free throws made in a game.
Jahmel Taylor: An elite 3-point shooter
Fresno State junior guard Jahmel Taylor is fourth in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage (77-for-168, 45.8 percent). He has made at least one 3-pointer in 28 of 30 games this season and at least one 3-pointer in 37 of his last 41 games played. Taylor has 19 games this season with multiple 3-pointers, including nine games with four or more 3-pointers. He made 11 consecutive 3-pointers over the course of three games from Dec. 6-14, 2016, which was four shy of tying the national record of 15 (set back from Dec. 15-28, 1990 by Northwestern's Todd Leslie). Also, Taylor is 75th in the nation in total 3-point field goals made (77) and ranks 81st in the nation in 3-point field goals made per game (2.57).
Protecting the Yard
• Fresno State is 13-2 overall at home this season (8-1 vs. MW opponents).
• Fresno State has won more Mountain West home games than any other MW school in the last three seasons (23-4) and last two seasons (16-2).
• Fresno State has won 16 of its last 17 home games when playing a Mountain West opponent.
• Fresno State has won 12 of its last 13 home games.
• Fresno State is 29-4 overall at home since the start of the 2015-16 season.
• Fresno State is 40-7 overall at home since the start of the 2014-15 season.
• Fresno State has won 21 of its last 23, and 31 of its last 35 home games.
• Fresno State has won at least 11 home games in four straight seasons.
• Fresno State is 156-69 (69.3 percent) all-time at the Save Mart Center.
Key Situations to Watch
• Fresno State has won 20 of its last 27 games when playing a MW team.
• Fresno State has won 13 of its last 16 single possession games.
• Fresno State has won 11 of its last 13 games against MW opponents in games decided by a single possession (three points or fewer).
• Fresno State has won 10 of its last 14 games decided by five points or less.
• Fresno State has won 18 of its last 24 games decided by five points or less.
• Fresno State has won 47 of its last 50 games when leading at halftime.
• Fresno State has won 42 of its last 44 games when leading with five minutes remaining in the second half.
• Fresno State has won 25 of its last 26 games when converting at least 50 percent of its field goal attempts.
• Fresno State is 2-1 this season in overtime games (2-0 in single overtime games / 0-1 in quadruple overtime game).
Notable Tidbits about 80
• Fresno State has scored 80 or more points eight times this season.
• Fresno State has won 23 of its last 25 games when scoring 80 or more points.
• Fresno State scored 80 or more points in 12 games last season and the 'Dogs scored 80 or more points three times during the 2014-15 season.
• Fresno State is 32-4 when scoring 80 or more points since Terry's arrival in 2011 and 26-3 in those games since the start of the 2013-14 season.
Bulldogs show resiliency to rally
• Since the start of the 2014-15 season, Fresno State has won 10 games when trailing at halftime, including eight last season and once this year.
• Since the start of the 2011-12 season, the Bulldogs have won 19 games when facing a halftime deficit.
Bulldog Bones
• By winning the 2016 Mountain West Basketball Championship, Fresno State earned its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2001.
• This season, Fresno State was picked to finish fourth in the Mountain West by the league's media in a preseason poll in mid-October.
• Before the 2015-16 season, Fresno State was picked to finish fifth in a preseason poll. The Bulldogs went on to win the 2016 MW Championship and earn the MW's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
Fresno State, Terry sign contract extension
Rodney Terry, who is in his sixth season as Fresno State's head men's basketball coach, has signed a new 5-year contract through 2021. Terry's new 5-year contract with Fresno State, which is retroactive to July 1, 2016, runs through April 30, 2021. Under Terry's leadership, Fresno State won the 2016 Mountain West Championship and returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2016 for the first time since 2001.
No. 4 seed Fresno State (19-11, 11-7 MW)
Quarterfinals: Thursday, March 9 • 2:30 p.m. PT (CBS Sports Network)
Semifinals: Friday, March 10 • 7 p.m. PT (CBS Sports Network)
Championship Game: Saturday, March 11 • 3 p.m. PT (CBS)
Note: All Fresno State games will also be broadcast on 940 AM ESPN Radio (Paul Loeffler/Marc Q. Jones)
Opening Tip
• Fresno State is the defending Mountain West tournament champion and represented the conference in the 2016 NCAA Tournament.
• Fresno State enters the 2017 MW Championships on a season-long five-game winning streak. Last season, the Bulldogs ended the regular season on a six-game winning streak before winning the 2016 MW Championship.
• Fresno State is one of two MW teams (Boise State) to have earned a first round bye for the MW Championships in each of the last three seasons.
• Fresno State enters the MW Championships one win away from its 21st season with at least 20 wins and third in the last four seasons.
• Fresno State enters the MW Championships 10-2 since the start of the 2015-16 season in tournament contests (non-conference and postseason).
• This is the fifth time in the Bulldogs' last 15 conference tournament apperances the Bulldogs have had a Top 4 seed.
'Dogs start title defense, face Lobos in MW Quarterfinals
No. 4 seed Fresno State (19-11, 11-7 Mountain West) will open the 2017 MW Championships when the Bulldogs face No. 5 seed New Mexico (17-13, 10-8 MW) on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. PT inside the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network and 940 AM ESPN Radio. Fresno State is the defending MW tournament champion and made the program's sixth NCAA Tournament last season.
Deshon Taylor earns All-MW honors
Fresno State redshirt sophomore guard Deshon Taylor has been one of the most consistent and tenacious players in the Mountain West, especially down the stretch. He earned third-team All-MW honors from the league's head coaches and second-team All-MW honors from a MW media panel. Since becoming a starter on Jan. 14, Taylor has scored at least 15 points in all 13 of his starts to close the regular season and has averaged 20.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game in those 13 contests.
Jaron Hopkins named to MW's All-Defensive team
Fresno State redshirt junior guard Jaron Hopkins has established himself as one of the premier defenders in the nation for disrupting passing lanes and scoring in transition. Hopkins was named to the Mountain West's All-Defensive team by the conference's head coaches and earned third-team All-MW honors from a MW media panel. This season, Hopkins has averaged a team-best 13.3 points, while also adding 5.5 rebounds, a team-high 3.5 assists and 2.1 steals per game. Hopkins, who played his first two seasons at Colorado, has played in all 30 games this season, with 24 starts.
• REFERENCE: "Fresno State" (never: FSU, CSUF, Fresno State University, or just simply "Fresno"); ABBREVIATION: Fresno St. or FS
Bulldog Bones - Coach/Team Notes
• Fresno State head coach Rodney Terry will coach his 200th game at Fresno State when the Bulldogs face the Lobos on Thursday.
• Terry enters the 2017 MW Championships with a 104-95 record in six seasons as the Bulldogs' head coach. Fresno State is 4-3 all-time in MW tournament games (joined conference in 2012).
• Fresno State ranks 12th in the nation in steals per game (8.6 spg, 257).
• Fresno State has won 15 consecutive games when holding an opponent to under 60 points (7-0 this season, including 4-0 record vs. MW opponents).
• Fresno State is a Mountain West-best 23-4 in MW home games during the last three seasons and also leads the league with a 16-2 record in MW home games over the course of the last two seasons. Fresno State was 8-1 at home this season during conference play.
• Fresno State is 5-1 versus Nevada (2-0), CSU (1-1) and Boise State (2-0).
• Fresno State and New Mexico split the season series (1-1). (Note: A supplement preview of Thursday's game will be available on Wednesday.)
Bulldog Bones - Player Notes
• Fresno State junior guard Jahmel Taylor is fourth in the nation in 3-point shooting (75-for-164, 45.8 percent).
• Fresno State redshirt junior guard Jaron Hopkins is 17th in the nation in steals per game (2.1 spg, 64 steals).
• Fresno State redshirt sophomore guard Deshon Taylor ranks 44th in the nation (1st in the MW) in free throw shooting (87.1 percent, 128-147).
• Fresno State redshirt sophomore guard Deshon Taylor made 75 of his last 79 free throw attempts (94.9 percent, last nine games).
• Fresno State redshirt sophomore guard Deshon Taylor has made 11 of his last 16 (68.8 percent) 3-point attempts (last four games). He has made multiple 3-pointers in six of the last eight games and three or more 3-pointers in four of the last seven games.
Deshon Taylor shining as a starter
• Since being inserted into the Bulldogs' starting line-up on Jan. 14, Fresno State redshirt sophomore guard Deshon Taylor has averaged 20.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game (13 games).
• As a starter, Deshon Taylor has also shot 89.7 percent at the free throw line (105-for-119 FT), compared to 76.7 percent (23-30 FT) as a reserve.
• In the first 17 games of the season (no starts), Deshon Taylor averaged 5.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.9 steals per game.
• Deshon Taylor made 37.7 percent (26-for-69 FGA) and 28.9 percent (13-for-45 3FGA) in his first 17 games (as a reserve), while he is shooting 47.5 percent (67-for-141 FGA) and 46.8 percent (29-for-62 3FGA) in the last 13 games (as a starter) for increases of 8.7 percent (FGA) and 17.9 percent (3FGA) since joining the starting line-up on Jan. 14.
• Taylor scored a career-high 32 points, including a 17-for-18 clip at the free throw line, in a quadruple overtime game at Wyoming on Feb. 8. His 17 free throws set a school record for most free throws made in a game.
Jahmel Taylor: An elite 3-point shooter
Fresno State junior guard Jahmel Taylor is fourth in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage (77-for-168, 45.8 percent). He has made at least one 3-pointer in 28 of 30 games this season and at least one 3-pointer in 37 of his last 41 games played. Taylor has 19 games this season with multiple 3-pointers, including nine games with four or more 3-pointers. He made 11 consecutive 3-pointers over the course of three games from Dec. 6-14, 2016, which was four shy of tying the national record of 15 (set back from Dec. 15-28, 1990 by Northwestern's Todd Leslie). Also, Taylor is 75th in the nation in total 3-point field goals made (77) and ranks 81st in the nation in 3-point field goals made per game (2.57).
Protecting the Yard
• Fresno State is 13-2 overall at home this season (8-1 vs. MW opponents).
• Fresno State has won more Mountain West home games than any other MW school in the last three seasons (23-4) and last two seasons (16-2).
• Fresno State has won 16 of its last 17 home games when playing a Mountain West opponent.
• Fresno State has won 12 of its last 13 home games.
• Fresno State is 29-4 overall at home since the start of the 2015-16 season.
• Fresno State is 40-7 overall at home since the start of the 2014-15 season.
• Fresno State has won 21 of its last 23, and 31 of its last 35 home games.
• Fresno State has won at least 11 home games in four straight seasons.
• Fresno State is 156-69 (69.3 percent) all-time at the Save Mart Center.
Key Situations to Watch
• Fresno State has won 20 of its last 27 games when playing a MW team.
• Fresno State has won 13 of its last 16 single possession games.
• Fresno State has won 11 of its last 13 games against MW opponents in games decided by a single possession (three points or fewer).
• Fresno State has won 10 of its last 14 games decided by five points or less.
• Fresno State has won 18 of its last 24 games decided by five points or less.
• Fresno State has won 47 of its last 50 games when leading at halftime.
• Fresno State has won 42 of its last 44 games when leading with five minutes remaining in the second half.
• Fresno State has won 25 of its last 26 games when converting at least 50 percent of its field goal attempts.
• Fresno State is 2-1 this season in overtime games (2-0 in single overtime games / 0-1 in quadruple overtime game).
Notable Tidbits about 80
• Fresno State has scored 80 or more points eight times this season.
• Fresno State has won 23 of its last 25 games when scoring 80 or more points.
• Fresno State scored 80 or more points in 12 games last season and the 'Dogs scored 80 or more points three times during the 2014-15 season.
• Fresno State is 32-4 when scoring 80 or more points since Terry's arrival in 2011 and 26-3 in those games since the start of the 2013-14 season.
Bulldogs show resiliency to rally
• Since the start of the 2014-15 season, Fresno State has won 10 games when trailing at halftime, including eight last season and once this year.
• Since the start of the 2011-12 season, the Bulldogs have won 19 games when facing a halftime deficit.
Bulldog Bones
• By winning the 2016 Mountain West Basketball Championship, Fresno State earned its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2001.
• This season, Fresno State was picked to finish fourth in the Mountain West by the league's media in a preseason poll in mid-October.
• Before the 2015-16 season, Fresno State was picked to finish fifth in a preseason poll. The Bulldogs went on to win the 2016 MW Championship and earn the MW's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
Fresno State, Terry sign contract extension
Rodney Terry, who is in his sixth season as Fresno State's head men's basketball coach, has signed a new 5-year contract through 2021. Terry's new 5-year contract with Fresno State, which is retroactive to July 1, 2016, runs through April 30, 2021. Under Terry's leadership, Fresno State won the 2016 Mountain West Championship and returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2016 for the first time since 2001.
Players Mentioned
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