'Dogs open MW play with UNLV

Game 12: Fresno State (4-7) vs. UNLV (8-3)
Dec. 28, 2021 • 6 p.m. PT • Fresno, Calif. (Save Mart Center)
TV/WEB: Mountain West Network (Matt Norville)
RADIO: Bulldog Sports Network/KRDU 1130AM (Matt Norville)
LIVE STATS: BullodgsLive.com
SERIES HISTORY: Fresno State 22-20
LAST MEETING: UNLV 75, Fresno State 74 [2/27/21 – Fresno, Calif.]

THE BREAKDOWN

Fresno State is set to open Mountain West play on Tuesday at the Save Mart Center, fourth time in the last seven seasons that the Bulldogs have opened the conference season at home following the Christmas break.
The 'Dogs are 3-1 in conference openers played after the Christmas break.
Tuesday will mark the fourth time in 10 seasons in the MW that Fresno State opens conference against UNLV. The previous three have all went to the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs were one of two Mountain West teams, along with Wyoming, to face two opponents that had double-digit win totals during nonconference play. They were the only MW team to play five teams which had at least eight nonconference wins.
Fresno State played five teams within the Top 100 NET rankings (3 road, 1 neutral, 1 home) during the nonconference season, two more than any other conference foe.
Fresno State was one of two teams to have played two or less nonconference opponents who ranked outside of the Top 200. Eight of the 11 teams in the league played four or more.

HITTING THE RESET IN CONFERENCE
In four of the last seven seasons, Fresno State has began Mountain West play at home following the Christmas break. The Bulldogs 3-1 in those games having won their last two (2014, 2015, 2018).

Tuesday will mark the fourth time in 10 seasons in the MW that Fresno State opens conference against UNLV. The previous three have all went to the Bulldogs.

DEEP DIVE INTO THE NET
With the Mountain West's nonconference schedule concluded on Dec. 23, Fresno State faced arguably the league's toughest schedule according to the NET rankings. The Bulldogs played five teams within the Top 100 (3 road, 1 neutral, 1 home), two more than any other conference foe.

Wyoming was the most comparable to the 'Dogs as they faced three teams inside the Top 100 while two others landed just outside the Top 100.
Fresno State was one of two teams to have played two or less nonconference opponents who ranked outside of the Top 200. Eight of the 11 teams in the league played four or more.

2021 MEET 2015
4-7. For the first time since 2015, Fresno State went 4-7 during the nonconference portion of its schedule. Both seasons saw the Bulldogs play a very difficult slate of games. Both saw Fresno State face a that would spend time in the Top 25. Both saw the 'Dogs handed four road defeats. Both saw losses to Saint Mary's and San Diego. The 2015 nonconference season also ended with a double-digit defeat.

Like 2015, the 2021-22 squad opens Mountain West play before the New Year at home against UNLV having lost the previous matchup against the Lady Rebels.
That season, Fresno State went on to finish 15-3 in the league, the Bulldogs' second-best MW record during Jaime White's tenure.

LIMITING MISCUES
A continuing trend in recent years, Fresno State once again is one of the top team's in the country in turnovers per game. Committing 11.5 per contest, the Bulldogs rank No. 9 in the NCAA. The 'Dogs finished each of the last two seasons ranked inside the Top 20.

Prior to the 2019-20 season, Fresno State had not finished the season inside the Top 60 and had finished outside the Top 100 three times since the start of the 2014-15 season.

PRESEASON POY
As the conference season is set to begin, that means the next 18 games will determine if Haley Cavinder will earn back-to-back Player of the Year awards after she was selected Preseason POY in October. If the junior's play during the nonconference season has been any indication, she's on that path, leading the league in scoring and rebounding while sitting second in assists per game.

No player has won the Mountain West's Freshman of the Year and two Player of the Year awards in three consecutive years since the conference established the Freshman of the Year award in 2008.

SCOUTING UNLV

UNLV enters Mountain West play with an 8-3 record, second-best in the league in nonconference play.
The Lady Rebels were 3-2 away from Las Vegas.
UNLV sits No. 1 in the conference in scoring offense (75.9) and rebounds per game (40.7).
The Lady Rebels possess two the league's top five scorers in Desi-Rae Young (17.0 ppg) and Essence Booker (14.8 ppg).
A double-double threat, Young leads UNLV on the glass with 6.5 rebounds per game.
Booker has made an instant impact since returning to the Mountain West, reaching double figures all but once. She is fourth in the league in assists at 4.3 per game.
Washington transfer Khayla Rooks ranks No. 32 nationally in assist-turnover ratio at 2.50.

UPDATED SAVE MART CENTER GAME DAY INFORMATION

Based on public health guidelines, all Save Mart Center attendees must be fully vaccinated OR have obtained a negative COVID-19 test (persons 3 years and older).
Masks will be required for all indoor areas. At the Save Mart Center, masks will be required at all times, with exception for when actively eating or drinking.
For non-vaccinated guests 3 years or older, proof of a negative PCR test will be required within 2 days of the event OR an antigen test within 1 day of the event.
Guests will need to show the negative results of their tests, or show proof of full vaccination at one of the tents outside of the arena prior to entry.

"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.

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'Dogs open MW play with UNLV

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'Dogs open MW play with UNLV

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