Bulldogs to open MW play in Boise

Game 14: Fresno State (10-3) at Boise State (9-4)
Dec. 28, 2021 • 6 p.m. PT • Boise, Idaho • ExtraMile Arena
TV/ONLINE: Mountain West Network
RADIO: Bulldog Sports Network (Paul Loeffler & Marc Q. Jones)
SERIES HISTORY: Boise State leads 24-22 (overall) & 14-8 (in Boise)
LAST MEETING: Fresno State 67, Boise State 64 [3/2/21 • ExtraMile Arena]
NEXT UP: vs. Air Force (1/1 - Note: Updated start time is 1 p.m PT); at San Diego State (1/5); vs. Wyoming (1/8)

The Breakdown

Fresno State Athletics is celebrating its centennial year and the 2021-22 men's basketball season is the 100th season of competition in program history.
Fresno State head coach Justin Hutson is now in his fourth season back home in the San Joaquin Valley.
Fresno State (10-3) and Boise State (9-4) open Mountain West play on Tuesday night in Boise.
As of Dec. 26, the Bulldogs are ranked third nationally in scoring defense (54.9 PPG).

OPENING TIP

The Fresno State men's basketball team visits the Boise State Broncos on Tuesday at 6 p.m. PT at ExtraMile Arena on the Mountain West Network (online) and the Bulldog Sports Network (radio).
Tuesday's MW opener is the Bulldogs' 100th game with Justin Hutson as the program's 19th head coach.
Fresno State leads the MW and ranks third in the nation in scoring defense (54.9 ppg allowed).
Fresno State also leads the MW and ranks 24th in the nation in field goal percentage defense (249-651, .382).
Fresno State [10] enters MW play as one of three MW teams with 10 or more victories (Colorado State [10] & Wyoming [11]).

ROBINSON'S PRODUCTION COMPARES TO SOME OF THE BEST IN THE COLLEGE GAME

Through games played on Dec. 23, Fresno State junior forward Orlando Robinson was ranked seventh in KenPom's 2022 Player of the Year Standings with a 1.307 kPOY rating. The other nine players in the Top 10 play for Ohio State, Kentucky, Gonzaga (two players ), Purdue (two players), Iowa, Indiana and Michigan.
With 953 career points, Orlando Robinson (18.5 ppg/8.2 rpg) enters the game ranked 43rd on the Bulldogs' all-time scoring list - 21 points away from tying Paul George's 974 career points (2008-10) for 38th.

Fresno State junior forward Orlando Robinson has never been shy about his ambitions and goals. And before the start of the 2021-22 season, Robinson shared that one of those is to earn Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year honors. While his offensive games continues to shine, Robinson has also elevated his defensive production. Robinson, a Las Vegas native, is a 2021-22 preseason All-MW selection and earned 2020-21 second-team All-MW and NABC All-District honors, along with 2020-21 CoSIDA Academic All-District and MW Scholar Athlete honors.

NOTHING BUT NET

Through games played on Dec. 25, Fresno State was No. 50 in the NCAA's NET rankings.
Fresno State checked in at No. 93 in the NCAA's first NET rankings release of the 2021-22 season on Dec. 5.
In nonconference play, Fresno State currently has four NET Top 105 teams on its schedule (2-2 record).
As of Dec. 22, Fresno State has 12 overall games against NET Top 105 teams on its schedule (five vs. Top 55).
Six Mountain West teams are currently in the Top 70 of the NCAA's NET rankings (all in Top 68).
The NCAA's NET rankings assist the NCAA Tournament selection committee seed and select at-large bids.

FRESNO STATE CONTENDING IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST
Since joining the Mountain West in 2012, Fresno State has won the 2016 conference tournament championship and finished as high as second in the regular season. The Bulldogs have finished no lower than seventh in league play in its first nine seasons in the Mountain West, which includes four top four finishes in the past six seasons. In those last six MW campaigns, the 'Dogs won an average of 10.8 MW contests per year -- twice going 13-5 against MW opponents, including Hutson's first season at Fresno State during the 2018-19 season. Fresno State averaged nearly 10 conference victories per season in Hutson's first three seasons as the Bulldogs' head coach.

TUESDAY SHOWDOWN OPENS MOUNTAIN WEST PLAY

This will be the first time that Fresno State has started MW play on the road at Boise State.
For the sixth time in the last eight seasons, Fresno State is opening MW play on the road.
Since joining the league in 2012, Fresno State is 2-7 all-time in MW openers and 2-7 in MW road openers.
In Hutson's tenure, the 'Dogs are 1-2 in MW openers -- two road games and a home game [a 73-53 win at San Jose State (1/2/19), an 81-80 home loss vs. UNLV (12/24/19) and a 75-53 loss at Colorado State (12/28/20)].
Tuesday showcases the MW's top two rebounding defenses [1) Fresno State: 29.2 vs. 2) Boise State: 31.2)].
Fresno State has attempted an average of 20.7 free throws (15.2 FTM/GM, 142-186 FT, .763) in non-road games versus 9.5 free throw attempts (6.3 FTM/GM, 25-38 FT, .658) in true road games.

TRENDING

Fresno State is off to its second 10-3 start through 13 games (10-3) in Hutson's tenure.
Fresno State is 9-1 when Jordan Campbell has scored at least 10 points in that game (nine straight wins).
Fresno State has held four teams this season to 20 points or less in the first half (FPU, USD, CSUN, WSU).
Fresno State has forced 58 first-half turnovers in its last six games (averaging 9.7 per game in that stretch).

"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 visit bulldogfoundation.org.

Bulldogs to open MW play in Boise

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Players Mentioned

Jordan Campbell

Orlando Robinson

Fresno State Athletics

Bulldogs to open MW play in Boise

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Players Mentioned

Jordan Campbell

Orlando Robinson

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