Fresno State Athletics
Saturday, February 23
Reno, Nev.
5 p.m. PT
Fresno State
at
No. 6 Nevada
Photo by: Keith Kountz
’Dogs, Pack poised for Saturday showdown
2/22/2019 2:20:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The game between Fresno State (19-7, 10-4 Mountain West) and No. 6 Nevada (24-2, 11-2 MW) will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network and 940 AM ESPN Radio.
Game 27: Fresno State (19-7, 10-4 MW) at No. 6 Nevada (24-2, 11-2 MW)
Feb. 23, 2019 • 5 p.m. PT • Reno, Nev. (Lawlor Events Center)
TV: CBS Sports Network (Carter Blackburn/Pete Gillen)
Radio: 940 AM ESPN (Paul Loeffler/Marc Q. Jones)
Series History: Nevada leads 56-44 (overall) & 30-17 (games played in Reno)
Last Meeting: Then-No. 10/11 Nevada 74, Fresno State 64 (1/12/19 • Fresno, Calif.)
Next Up: vs. Wyoming (Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. PT); at San Diego State (March 6 at 7 p.m. PT)
Fresno State's NCAA NET Ranking: No. 93 (through games played on Feb. 21, 2019)
Opening Tip
The Fresno State men's basketball team visits the Nevada Wolf Pack on Saturday at 5 p.m. PT at the Lawlor Events Center in "The Biggest Little City in the World." The game between Fresno State (19-7, 10-4 Mountain West) and No. 6 Nevada (24-2, 11-2 MW) will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network and 940 AM ESPN Radio. The Bulldogs will next play at home versus Wyoming on Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. PT (tickets start at $15).
About the No. 6 Nevada Wolf Pack
The No. 6-ranked Nevada Wolf Pack are 24-2 on the season, including an 11-2 record in MW play. Nevada is led in scoring by Caleb Martin (18.2 ppg) and Jordan Caroline (18.2 ppg/9.6 rpg). The Wolf Pack lead the all-time series 56-44. This will be Fresno State's sixth all-time game against Nevada with the Wolf Pack ranked in the AP Top 25 (second since 2007).
Consistent, sustained success for the Bulldogs
Fresno State is 32-18 in Mountain West play over the course of the last three seasons (since the start of the 2016-17 season), which ranks as the second-best conference record in the 11-team league. Fresno State is also one of three MW programs to have won 45 or more MW games in the last four seasons and one of four teams with 55 or more MW wins in the last five seasons. Fresno State is the only program to have won at least 10 MW games in each of the last five seasons. Fresno State and Boise State are the only two programs to have earned a first-round bye for the MW Tournament in each of the last four seasons.
Bulldogs seeking 20th win over AP Top 25 team
When the 'Dogs and Wolf Pack meet on Saturday, it will be Fresno State's 91st game against a team ranked in the Associated Press (AP) Top 25. Nevada, who is ranked No. 6 in this week's AP Top 25, will be the highest ranked opponent the Bulldogs have faced since falling to then-No. 3 Michigan State 81-65 on March 18, 2001 in the Round of 32 of the 2001 NCAA Tournament played in Memphis, Tenn. Fresno State has not defeated an AP Top 25 team since Feb. 10, 2002 (58-52 vs. No. 14 Oklahoma State). The Bulldogs have lost 21 straight games versus AP Top 25 teams. Fresno State last defeated an AP Top 10 team on Feb. 22, 1996 (71-68 vs. No. 8 Utah) and never on the road (two Top 6 wins in program history).
Fresno State: All-Time versus AP Top 25 Teams
Fresno State (19-7, 10-4 MW) is in third place in the MW. The Bulldogs are 1.5 games back of No. 6 Nevada (24-1, 11-1 MW) as the 'Dogs are seeking their fifth straight first round bye for the MW Tournament (top five seeds in MW play this season). Fresno State leads the MW with six conference road wins so far this season.
Taylor shining in return to Golden State
Fresno State senior guard Deshon Taylor (Riverside, Calif.), who tested the NBA Draft waters last spring after earning first-team All-MW honors as a junior, is the home stretch of his collegiate career, which started at UMKC in 2014 before Taylor decided to return to his home state after his freshman season. He was key player in practice pushing the Bulldogs every day en route to a NCAA Tournament appearance in 2016 courtesy of winning the 2016 MW tournament championship. Taylor also set a new program record with 200 made free throws last season as a junior and had a school record 17 made free throws in a game at Wyoming as a sophomore. This season, Taylor missed four games in December with an elbow injury and returned for the Bulldogs' MW opener on Jan. 2 at SJSU. Taylor currently ranks in the Top 10 in the MW in scoring (6th, 16.8 ppg), assists (3rd, 4.5 apg), free throw percentage (6th, 77.9 percent), steals (2nd, 1.6 spg), 3-point field goal percentage (9th, 38.8 percent), 3-pointers made (8th, 2.2/game), assist-to-turnover ratio (7th, 1.6 A-TO) and minutes played (2nd, 35.6 mpg).
Bittner named two-time Academic All-District
Fresno State senior guard/forward Sam Bittner is a two-time Google Cloud College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District 8 honoree (2017-18 and 2018-19). Bittner is also a three-time Mountain West scholar athlete and a three-time Academic All-MW selection. Bittner (business administration major, 3.90 GPA) is the second Bulldog ever to be honored as a CoSIDA Academic All-District selection – joining three-time Academic All-District honoree Nedeljko Golubovic, who was recognized from 2009-11. Last season, he ranked 11th in the nation in 3-point shooting (39-for-81, 48.1 percent) for players with at least one made 3-pointer per team game. He also made more field goals and 3-pointers in his junior season than he did in his freshman and sophomore seasons combined. On defense, Bittner can guard all five positions on the floor, while offensively, he has become an efficient 3-point shooter.
Huggins showcasing experience, explosiveness
Fresno State redshirt senior guard Braxton Huggins (Bakersfield, Calif.) returned home to the Valley for his final collegiate season after playing his first three seasons leading New Mexico State to the NCAA Tournament twice and the NIT once. This season, Huggins has emerged as one of the best guards in the MW - ranking third in 3-pointers made (3.2 per game) and fourth in scoring (19.0 ppg). He was named to the 2018 Wooden Legacy All-Tournament team for helping lead the 'Dogs to a third-place finish in eight-team field with a 2-1 record, including big wins over Northwestern and Hawai'i and a 2-point loss to the ACC's Miami. Huggins had a career-high 33 points with eight 3-pointers in a 78-77 win at Utah State (1/9/19). Huggins earned MW Player of the Week honors on Feb. 18 for leading the Bulldogs to a 2-0 week with wins over Boise State and at New Mexico, when he averaged 22.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists (2.0 A-TO ratio) and 1.5 blocks while shooting 50 percent from the field (14-for-28), including seven 3-pointers.
Fresno State's consistency leads to success
Fresno State is one of two Mountain West programs (San Diego State) to have a .500 record or better in league play in each of the past six seasons, including this season. Fresno State, Boise State and San Diego State won at least nine MW games in each of the last five seasons (before this season). Fresno State averaged 10.8 conference wins per season (previous five seasons), with at least 10 MW wins in now five straight seasons, including a 13-5 mark in 2015-16.
George, Johnson represent Fresno State in NBA
Former Fresno State basketball players Paul George (2008-10) and Tyler Johnson (2010-14) are two of the 30 former Bulldogs to have played in the NBA. George is currently in his ninth NBA season and second with the Oklahoma City Thunder after being drafted 10th overall in 2010 by the Indiana Pacers, who he played for from 2010-17. Johnson is in his fifth season in the NBA, and plays for the Phoenix Suns after starting his career in Miami.
REFERENCE: "Fresno State" (never: FSU, CSUF, Fresno State University, or just simply "Fresno"); ABBREVIATION: Fresno St. or FS
Feb. 23, 2019 • 5 p.m. PT • Reno, Nev. (Lawlor Events Center)
TV: CBS Sports Network (Carter Blackburn/Pete Gillen)
Radio: 940 AM ESPN (Paul Loeffler/Marc Q. Jones)
Series History: Nevada leads 56-44 (overall) & 30-17 (games played in Reno)
Last Meeting: Then-No. 10/11 Nevada 74, Fresno State 64 (1/12/19 • Fresno, Calif.)
Next Up: vs. Wyoming (Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. PT); at San Diego State (March 6 at 7 p.m. PT)
Fresno State's NCAA NET Ranking: No. 93 (through games played on Feb. 21, 2019)
Opening Tip
- First-year Fresno State head coach Justin Hutson is back home in the Valley. Hutson, a Bakersfield native, spent the last 12 seasons (San Diego State and UNLV) as one of the most respected assistant coaches in country.
- Fresno State has won at least 20 games in each of the past three seasons (four of the past five seasons) and joined the Mountain West in 2012.
- Fresno State has one NCAA Quadrant 1 NET road win so far this season (at Utah State, 78-77, Jan. 9, 2019).
- Fresno State can clinch a first-round bye in the 2019 MW Tournament with a win in any of its final four regular season MW games this season.
- Fresno State is one of two MW teams (Boise State) to have earned a first round bye in each of the past four seasons.
- Fresno State is one of two MW programs (SDSU) to have a .500 record or better in league play in each of the last six seasons, including this season.
- Fresno State is the only MW team to win at least 10 MW games in each of the last five seasons, including this season.
- Fresno State first-year head coach Justin Hutson is second in the country with an 19-6 record (.760 winning percentage) among first-time NCAA Division I head coaches this season.
- Fresno State has outscored four autonomy five conference schools (TCU, Northwestern, Miami & Cal) by a combined score of 318-287 (+31) this season.
- Fresno State is 44-3 in its last 47 games when shooting at least 50 percent from the field (6-0 this season and nine consecutive games).
- Fresno State is one of 18 programs in the nation to average at least 10 made 3-pointers made per game this season (T-13th in nation - 10.2/gm).
- The Bulldogs are 28-6 in their last 34 games with at least 10 3-point FGs.
- Fresno State leads the MW in 3-point field goal percentage (37.9), 3-point field goal percentage defense (29.6) and 3-pointers made (10.2 per game).
- Fresno State is 12th in the nation in 3-point field goal defense (29.6).
- Fresno State has not lost by more than 10 points in any game this season.
- Fresno State has won 17 of its last 22 games (7-3 in last 10 MW games).
- Fresno State has won 11 consecutive games when at least four different Bulldogs score 10 or more points in a game (11-0 this season).
- Fresno State has won the second-most MW games (32) in the last three seasons and the Bulldogs are one of four MW programs (Boise State, Nevada and SDSU) with 55 or more MW wins in the last five seasons.
- Fresno State is 6-2 in true road games this season (20th-best in nation)
The Fresno State men's basketball team visits the Nevada Wolf Pack on Saturday at 5 p.m. PT at the Lawlor Events Center in "The Biggest Little City in the World." The game between Fresno State (19-7, 10-4 Mountain West) and No. 6 Nevada (24-2, 11-2 MW) will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network and 940 AM ESPN Radio. The Bulldogs will next play at home versus Wyoming on Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. PT (tickets start at $15).
About the No. 6 Nevada Wolf Pack
The No. 6-ranked Nevada Wolf Pack are 24-2 on the season, including an 11-2 record in MW play. Nevada is led in scoring by Caleb Martin (18.2 ppg) and Jordan Caroline (18.2 ppg/9.6 rpg). The Wolf Pack lead the all-time series 56-44. This will be Fresno State's sixth all-time game against Nevada with the Wolf Pack ranked in the AP Top 25 (second since 2007).
Consistent, sustained success for the Bulldogs
Fresno State is 32-18 in Mountain West play over the course of the last three seasons (since the start of the 2016-17 season), which ranks as the second-best conference record in the 11-team league. Fresno State is also one of three MW programs to have won 45 or more MW games in the last four seasons and one of four teams with 55 or more MW wins in the last five seasons. Fresno State is the only program to have won at least 10 MW games in each of the last five seasons. Fresno State and Boise State are the only two programs to have earned a first-round bye for the MW Tournament in each of the last four seasons.
Bulldogs seeking 20th win over AP Top 25 team
When the 'Dogs and Wolf Pack meet on Saturday, it will be Fresno State's 91st game against a team ranked in the Associated Press (AP) Top 25. Nevada, who is ranked No. 6 in this week's AP Top 25, will be the highest ranked opponent the Bulldogs have faced since falling to then-No. 3 Michigan State 81-65 on March 18, 2001 in the Round of 32 of the 2001 NCAA Tournament played in Memphis, Tenn. Fresno State has not defeated an AP Top 25 team since Feb. 10, 2002 (58-52 vs. No. 14 Oklahoma State). The Bulldogs have lost 21 straight games versus AP Top 25 teams. Fresno State last defeated an AP Top 10 team on Feb. 22, 1996 (71-68 vs. No. 8 Utah) and never on the road (two Top 6 wins in program history).
Fresno State: All-Time versus AP Top 25 Teams
- Fresno State is 19-71 all-time against AP Top 25 teams.
- Fresno State is 15-44 all-time against AP Top 15 teams.
- Fresno State is 5-29 all-time against AP Top 10 teams.
- Fresno State is 0-2 against AP Top 25 teams this season (No. 21 TCU, then-No. 10 Nevada).
Fresno State (19-7, 10-4 MW) is in third place in the MW. The Bulldogs are 1.5 games back of No. 6 Nevada (24-1, 11-1 MW) as the 'Dogs are seeking their fifth straight first round bye for the MW Tournament (top five seeds in MW play this season). Fresno State leads the MW with six conference road wins so far this season.
Taylor shining in return to Golden State
Fresno State senior guard Deshon Taylor (Riverside, Calif.), who tested the NBA Draft waters last spring after earning first-team All-MW honors as a junior, is the home stretch of his collegiate career, which started at UMKC in 2014 before Taylor decided to return to his home state after his freshman season. He was key player in practice pushing the Bulldogs every day en route to a NCAA Tournament appearance in 2016 courtesy of winning the 2016 MW tournament championship. Taylor also set a new program record with 200 made free throws last season as a junior and had a school record 17 made free throws in a game at Wyoming as a sophomore. This season, Taylor missed four games in December with an elbow injury and returned for the Bulldogs' MW opener on Jan. 2 at SJSU. Taylor currently ranks in the Top 10 in the MW in scoring (6th, 16.8 ppg), assists (3rd, 4.5 apg), free throw percentage (6th, 77.9 percent), steals (2nd, 1.6 spg), 3-point field goal percentage (9th, 38.8 percent), 3-pointers made (8th, 2.2/game), assist-to-turnover ratio (7th, 1.6 A-TO) and minutes played (2nd, 35.6 mpg).
Bittner named two-time Academic All-District
Fresno State senior guard/forward Sam Bittner is a two-time Google Cloud College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District 8 honoree (2017-18 and 2018-19). Bittner is also a three-time Mountain West scholar athlete and a three-time Academic All-MW selection. Bittner (business administration major, 3.90 GPA) is the second Bulldog ever to be honored as a CoSIDA Academic All-District selection – joining three-time Academic All-District honoree Nedeljko Golubovic, who was recognized from 2009-11. Last season, he ranked 11th in the nation in 3-point shooting (39-for-81, 48.1 percent) for players with at least one made 3-pointer per team game. He also made more field goals and 3-pointers in his junior season than he did in his freshman and sophomore seasons combined. On defense, Bittner can guard all five positions on the floor, while offensively, he has become an efficient 3-point shooter.
Huggins showcasing experience, explosiveness
Fresno State redshirt senior guard Braxton Huggins (Bakersfield, Calif.) returned home to the Valley for his final collegiate season after playing his first three seasons leading New Mexico State to the NCAA Tournament twice and the NIT once. This season, Huggins has emerged as one of the best guards in the MW - ranking third in 3-pointers made (3.2 per game) and fourth in scoring (19.0 ppg). He was named to the 2018 Wooden Legacy All-Tournament team for helping lead the 'Dogs to a third-place finish in eight-team field with a 2-1 record, including big wins over Northwestern and Hawai'i and a 2-point loss to the ACC's Miami. Huggins had a career-high 33 points with eight 3-pointers in a 78-77 win at Utah State (1/9/19). Huggins earned MW Player of the Week honors on Feb. 18 for leading the Bulldogs to a 2-0 week with wins over Boise State and at New Mexico, when he averaged 22.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists (2.0 A-TO ratio) and 1.5 blocks while shooting 50 percent from the field (14-for-28), including seven 3-pointers.
Fresno State's consistency leads to success
Fresno State is one of two Mountain West programs (San Diego State) to have a .500 record or better in league play in each of the past six seasons, including this season. Fresno State, Boise State and San Diego State won at least nine MW games in each of the last five seasons (before this season). Fresno State averaged 10.8 conference wins per season (previous five seasons), with at least 10 MW wins in now five straight seasons, including a 13-5 mark in 2015-16.
George, Johnson represent Fresno State in NBA
Former Fresno State basketball players Paul George (2008-10) and Tyler Johnson (2010-14) are two of the 30 former Bulldogs to have played in the NBA. George is currently in his ninth NBA season and second with the Oklahoma City Thunder after being drafted 10th overall in 2010 by the Indiana Pacers, who he played for from 2010-17. Johnson is in his fifth season in the NBA, and plays for the Phoenix Suns after starting his career in Miami.
REFERENCE: "Fresno State" (never: FSU, CSUF, Fresno State University, or just simply "Fresno"); ABBREVIATION: Fresno St. or FS
Players Mentioned
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