Fresno State Athletics
Tuesday, February 5
Fresno, Calif.
7:30 p.m. PT
Fresno State
vs
Utah State
Tuesday Night Showdown for ’Dogs, Aggies
2/4/2019 3:12:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Tickets for all remaining home games start at $15 (mini-plans start at $39) at the Save Mart Center Box Office.
Game 22: Utah State (17-5, 7-2 MW) at Fresno State (16-5, 7-2 MW)
Feb. 5, 2019 • 7:30 p.m. PT • Fresno, Calif. (Save Mart Center)
TV/Online: AT&T Sports Net (Drew Goodman/Dave Bollwinkel; Sideline: Jenny Cavnar)
Radio: 940 AM ESPN (Paul Loeffler/Marc Q. Jones) & 1600 AM ESPN Deportes (Jesse Beltran)
Series History: Utah State leads 35-25 (overall) • Fresno State leads 16-9 (games played in Fresno)
Last Meeting: Fresno State 78, Utah State 77 (1/9/19 • Logan, Utah)
Next Up: at UNLV (Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. PT); vs. Boise State (Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m. PT)
Fresno State's NCAA NET Ranking: No. 78 (through games played on Feb. 3, 2019)
Opening Tip
The Fresno State men's basketball team hosts the Utah State Aggies on Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. PT at the Save Mart Center with winner rising into sole possession of second place in the MW standings. The game between Fresno State (16-5, 7-2 Mountain West) and Utah State (17-5, 7-2 MW) will be broadcast on AT&T Sports Net, 940 AM ESPN Radio and 1600 AM ESPN Deportes. Tickets for all remaining home games start at $15 (mini-plans start at $39) at the Save Mart Center Box Office.
About the Utah State Aggies
The Utah State Aggies are 17-5 (7-2 in MW play) and enter Tuesday's game on a six-game winning streak since falling 78-77 to Fresno State on Jan. 9 when the Bulldogs overcame a 12-point deficit to beat the Aggies on a 3-pointer by Braxton Huggins, who finished with a career-high 33 points (8-for-13 3FGA). USU is led in scoring by Sam Merrill (19.4 ppg) and Neemias Queta (10.8 ppg/8.9 rpg/2.5 bpg). Fresno State has won three of the last four meetings between the programs at the Save Mart Center.
Bulldogs tied for second with the Aggies
Fresno State is tied for second place in the MW standings. The Bulldogs (16-5, 7-2 Mountain West) are one game back of No. 6/6 Nevada (21-1, 8-1 MW) and even with Utah State (17-5, 7-2 MW), who the Bulldogs beat 78-77 on the road earlier this season. Fresno State leads the MW with four conference road wins so far this season and has the best league road record with a 4-1 mark in its five MW road games during January.
Fresno State's consistency leads to success
Fresno State is one of three Mountain West programs to have finished .500 or better in league play in each of the past five seasons. Fresno State, Boise State and San Diego State have won at least nine conference games in each of the last five seasons. Fresno State has averaged 10.8 conference wins per season (last five seasons), with at least 10 MW wins for four straight seasons, including a 13-5 mark in 2015-16.
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 (2.9 per game) and fifth in scoring (17.8 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).
Grimes delivering on both ends of the floor
Fresno State junior forward Nate Grimes (Las Vegas, Nev.) currently ranks third in the Mountain West in rebounding (9.5 rpg). He has 10 career double-doubles, including seven this season (six during conference play). Grimes also ranks second in the MW in blocks (1.8 bpg) and field goal percentage (57.8 percent, 107-for-185). He had a matched a season-high with 19 points and also had a career-high 19 rebounds (a Save Mart Center record) in the Bulldogs' 82-70 win over New Mexico on Feb. 2.
Bittner's impact earning respect
Fresno State senior guard/forward Sam Bittner (Las Vegas, Nev.) is once again one of the nation's most efficient 3-point shooters. This season, Bittner is ranked 35th in the country in 3-point field goal percentage (47.3 percent, 26-for-55) for players averaging at least one made 3-pointer per team game. Last season, Bittner was 11th in the nation in 3-point field goal efficiency (48.1 percent, 39-for-81). Bittner is a former walk-on, who has since earned a scholarship and has consistently improved throughout his four-year career at Fresno State. Bittner started four games (played in 18) as a freshman when the Bulldogs went to the 2016 NCAA Tournament.
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 with the Miami Heat.
Feb. 5, 2019 • 7:30 p.m. PT • Fresno, Calif. (Save Mart Center)
TV/Online: AT&T Sports Net (Drew Goodman/Dave Bollwinkel; Sideline: Jenny Cavnar)
Radio: 940 AM ESPN (Paul Loeffler/Marc Q. Jones) & 1600 AM ESPN Deportes (Jesse Beltran)
Series History: Utah State leads 35-25 (overall) • Fresno State leads 16-9 (games played in Fresno)
Last Meeting: Fresno State 78, Utah State 77 (1/9/19 • Logan, Utah)
Next Up: at UNLV (Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. PT); vs. Boise State (Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m. PT)
Fresno State's NCAA NET Ranking: No. 78 (through games played on Feb. 3, 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 is one of two MW teams with a NCAA Quadrant 1 NET road win so far this season. The Bulldogs are 2-3 in Q1 & Q2 games.
- Fresno State is one of two MW teams (Boise State) to have earned a first round bye in each of the past four seasons.
- Last season, Fresno State (21-11, 11-7 MW) finished fourth in the MW standings and earned its third straight Top 4 seed for the MW Tournament.
- Fresno State is one of three MW programs to have finished .500 or better in league play in each of the past five seasons (Boise State/SDSU).
- 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 43-3 in its last 46 games when shooting at least 50 percent from the field (5-0 this season).
- Fresno State has made at least four 3-pointers in every game this season. The Bulldogs are 26-4 in their last 30 games making at least 10 3pt-FGs.
- Fresno State leads the MW in 3-point field goal percentage defense (28.8) and 3-pointers made (9.7 per game).
- Fresno State is 14-1 this season when scoring at least 70 points.
- Fresno State is 11-1 this season when allowing under 70 points.
- Fresno State is 13-1 this season when having a better assist-to-turnover ratio than its opponent.
- Fresno State is 11-1 this season when committing fewer turnovers than its opponent.
- Fresno State won its first three conference road games for the first time since the 2003-04 season (first time since joining the MW in 2012).
- Fresno State has not lost by more than 10 points in any game this season.
- Fresno State has won 14 of its last 17 games.
- Fresno State is seeking its sixth straight season with 11+ home wins.
The Fresno State men's basketball team hosts the Utah State Aggies on Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. PT at the Save Mart Center with winner rising into sole possession of second place in the MW standings. The game between Fresno State (16-5, 7-2 Mountain West) and Utah State (17-5, 7-2 MW) will be broadcast on AT&T Sports Net, 940 AM ESPN Radio and 1600 AM ESPN Deportes. Tickets for all remaining home games start at $15 (mini-plans start at $39) at the Save Mart Center Box Office.
About the Utah State Aggies
The Utah State Aggies are 17-5 (7-2 in MW play) and enter Tuesday's game on a six-game winning streak since falling 78-77 to Fresno State on Jan. 9 when the Bulldogs overcame a 12-point deficit to beat the Aggies on a 3-pointer by Braxton Huggins, who finished with a career-high 33 points (8-for-13 3FGA). USU is led in scoring by Sam Merrill (19.4 ppg) and Neemias Queta (10.8 ppg/8.9 rpg/2.5 bpg). Fresno State has won three of the last four meetings between the programs at the Save Mart Center.
Bulldogs tied for second with the Aggies
Fresno State is tied for second place in the MW standings. The Bulldogs (16-5, 7-2 Mountain West) are one game back of No. 6/6 Nevada (21-1, 8-1 MW) and even with Utah State (17-5, 7-2 MW), who the Bulldogs beat 78-77 on the road earlier this season. Fresno State leads the MW with four conference road wins so far this season and has the best league road record with a 4-1 mark in its five MW road games during January.
Fresno State's consistency leads to success
Fresno State is one of three Mountain West programs to have finished .500 or better in league play in each of the past five seasons. Fresno State, Boise State and San Diego State have won at least nine conference games in each of the last five seasons. Fresno State has averaged 10.8 conference wins per season (last five seasons), with at least 10 MW wins for four straight seasons, including a 13-5 mark in 2015-16.
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 (2.9 per game) and fifth in scoring (17.8 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).
Grimes delivering on both ends of the floor
Fresno State junior forward Nate Grimes (Las Vegas, Nev.) currently ranks third in the Mountain West in rebounding (9.5 rpg). He has 10 career double-doubles, including seven this season (six during conference play). Grimes also ranks second in the MW in blocks (1.8 bpg) and field goal percentage (57.8 percent, 107-for-185). He had a matched a season-high with 19 points and also had a career-high 19 rebounds (a Save Mart Center record) in the Bulldogs' 82-70 win over New Mexico on Feb. 2.
Bittner's impact earning respect
Fresno State senior guard/forward Sam Bittner (Las Vegas, Nev.) is once again one of the nation's most efficient 3-point shooters. This season, Bittner is ranked 35th in the country in 3-point field goal percentage (47.3 percent, 26-for-55) for players averaging at least one made 3-pointer per team game. Last season, Bittner was 11th in the nation in 3-point field goal efficiency (48.1 percent, 39-for-81). Bittner is a former walk-on, who has since earned a scholarship and has consistently improved throughout his four-year career at Fresno State. Bittner started four games (played in 18) as a freshman when the Bulldogs went to the 2016 NCAA Tournament.
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 with the Miami Heat.
Players Mentioned
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