Fresno State Athletics
Photo by: Keith Kountz
Blackwell fiercely enhancing game
8/12/2019 12:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Fresno State rising fifth-year senior point guard Noah Blackwell has been hard at work this offseason on all aspects of his game in preparation for the 2019-20 season.
FRESNO, Calif. --- When Fresno State point guard Noah Blackwell scored a crisp season-high 25 points in this past March's final home game, most didn't notice until they looked up at the scoreboard or the final box score.
It was a "quiet," but efficient effort by Blackwell, who went 8-for-10 from the field, including seven made 3-pointers (on just eight attempts). He also had eight assists, three rebounds and two steals in the Bulldogs' 40-point rout of San Jose State.
"If there's such a thing, he was a quiet 25 (points)," Fresno State head coach Justin Hutson said after the game. "You looked up and said, 'Wow, Noah has 25.' We know he can shoot the ball and play… sometimes it's easy to defer. I don't want him to go in and force it, I want him to be aggressive."
Sustaining that fierce aggressiveness and productive efficiency consistently has been a big part of Blackwell's offseason focus.
"I've been working on my passing and defense," Blackwell said. "I've been working on getting to the basket and finishing over bigs — just getting everything right and making sure my teammates are in the right position for success. I believe we have a group that works hard."
For Blackwell, who is from Roseville, Calif., the 2019-20 season will be his last collegiate campaign.  He played two seasons at Long Beach State with his first career start for the 49ers as a freshman in 2015 coming against then-No. 12 Duke when he scored 19 points against the Blue Devils. During his LBSU career, Blackwell was a solid contributor, primarily at shooting guard, before deciding to transfer to Fresno State in 2017.Â
After redshirting the 2017-18 season, the 6-foot-3 play-making point guard averaged 8.5 points, 3.6 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game last season, especially thriving late in nonconference play when Hutson needed someone to fill the void with veteran All-Moutnain West guard Deshon Taylor sidelined with an elbow injury.
This past season, Fresno State was the only MW program to have three different student-athletes (Blackwell, Taylor and Braxton Huggins) earn the conference's highest weekly honor.
Blackwell returns as one of the MW's most efficient point guards
With Blackwell taking pride in facilitating the Bulldogs' offense and taking care of the basketball, he was one of just four Mountain West players with an assist-to-turnover above a 2.0. Blackwell finished the season with 109 assists and 51 turnovers (team-best 2.1 A-TO ratio).
"Noah has already been a really great point guard," fellow Fresno State fifth-year senior guard New Williams said of Blackwell. "He's just been expanding his IQ – how he sees the floor and makes the best decision possible – so that'll just innovate his game. He's also been working on his shot. He has a great shot. That's how he keeps sharp, is by continuing to work on it. I love that about Noah."
In addition to effectively finding open teammates, Blackwell made 44.2 percent of his field goal attempts, including a 41.5 percent clip from beyond the 3-point arc.
"I just love to play basketball," Blackwell said. "I've been doing this for so long—and my final year coming up, which is crazy. I care about putting others first and love to see them succeed. We're excited for what's coming. We've got that 'Valley Tough' in us and Coach Hut won't let anything get in the way of that."
Roster, schedule update
The Bulldogs' 2019-20 complete roster and schedule are still being finalized. Â Fresno State will open MW play against UNLV on Dec. 4 at home at the Save Mart Center.
2019-20 Fresno State men's basketball season tickets are on sale now by calling 559-278-3647, visiting the Bulldog Ticket Office and online at www.GoBulldogs.com.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.
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It was a "quiet," but efficient effort by Blackwell, who went 8-for-10 from the field, including seven made 3-pointers (on just eight attempts). He also had eight assists, three rebounds and two steals in the Bulldogs' 40-point rout of San Jose State.
"If there's such a thing, he was a quiet 25 (points)," Fresno State head coach Justin Hutson said after the game. "You looked up and said, 'Wow, Noah has 25.' We know he can shoot the ball and play… sometimes it's easy to defer. I don't want him to go in and force it, I want him to be aggressive."
Sustaining that fierce aggressiveness and productive efficiency consistently has been a big part of Blackwell's offseason focus.
"I've been working on my passing and defense," Blackwell said. "I've been working on getting to the basket and finishing over bigs — just getting everything right and making sure my teammates are in the right position for success. I believe we have a group that works hard."
For Blackwell, who is from Roseville, Calif., the 2019-20 season will be his last collegiate campaign.  He played two seasons at Long Beach State with his first career start for the 49ers as a freshman in 2015 coming against then-No. 12 Duke when he scored 19 points against the Blue Devils. During his LBSU career, Blackwell was a solid contributor, primarily at shooting guard, before deciding to transfer to Fresno State in 2017.Â
After redshirting the 2017-18 season, the 6-foot-3 play-making point guard averaged 8.5 points, 3.6 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game last season, especially thriving late in nonconference play when Hutson needed someone to fill the void with veteran All-Moutnain West guard Deshon Taylor sidelined with an elbow injury.
This past season, Fresno State was the only MW program to have three different student-athletes (Blackwell, Taylor and Braxton Huggins) earn the conference's highest weekly honor.
Blackwell returns as one of the MW's most efficient point guards
With Blackwell taking pride in facilitating the Bulldogs' offense and taking care of the basketball, he was one of just four Mountain West players with an assist-to-turnover above a 2.0. Blackwell finished the season with 109 assists and 51 turnovers (team-best 2.1 A-TO ratio).
"Noah has already been a really great point guard," fellow Fresno State fifth-year senior guard New Williams said of Blackwell. "He's just been expanding his IQ – how he sees the floor and makes the best decision possible – so that'll just innovate his game. He's also been working on his shot. He has a great shot. That's how he keeps sharp, is by continuing to work on it. I love that about Noah."
In addition to effectively finding open teammates, Blackwell made 44.2 percent of his field goal attempts, including a 41.5 percent clip from beyond the 3-point arc.
"I just love to play basketball," Blackwell said. "I've been doing this for so long—and my final year coming up, which is crazy. I care about putting others first and love to see them succeed. We're excited for what's coming. We've got that 'Valley Tough' in us and Coach Hut won't let anything get in the way of that."
Roster, schedule update
The Bulldogs' 2019-20 complete roster and schedule are still being finalized. Â Fresno State will open MW play against UNLV on Dec. 4 at home at the Save Mart Center.
2019-20 Fresno State men's basketball season tickets are on sale now by calling 559-278-3647, visiting the Bulldog Ticket Office and online at www.GoBulldogs.com.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.
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