Young Bulldogs seem to have hit their stride

For the first time, in their still young season, it seems the Bulldogs may have found their stride.

After beating Pacific the other night on a buzzer beater, the Bulldogs used their height to their advantage as they dominated Cal State Bakersfield 66-51 in a game that wasn't even that close. The Bulldogs were led by young freshman Paul George who finished with a game high 17 points including a career high five three-pointers to go along with eight rebounds. That wasn't even their highlight, the 'Dogs had their best defensive effort of the season, holding Bakersfield to 30.6% shooting from the field for the entire game, 29.7% in the second half alone.

Is this team starting to click as a team after eight games already in the books? After having a few off games, Jr. transfer Sylvester Seay had a good turnaround, finishing the game with 15 points in just 19 minutes in the game. It's going to take guys like that to perform on a consistant basis, along with George, Sr. guard Dwight O'Neil and Freshman guard Mychal Ladd. The one thing I noticed about this team against Bakersfield is, even though Ladd (23 minutes - 2/4 - 8 points) and O'Neil (31 minutes - 4/11 - 9 points) had off nights, George and Seay were there to pick them up. It's also going to take same kind of defensive effort as well, especially if they want to compete with teams like Boise State and Nevada who were picked towards the top of the WAC in the preseason coaches poll.

In his 100th game as the Bulldogs' head coach, Steve Cleveland has a chance to really make this team his own. His recruits, his players, his record. If he can bring this young team together and mold them into a cohesive group, the WAC better watch out or they're going to be surprised by this young team.

I'm not saying that this team is going to win the WAC, I don't think they're nearly that good...yet. Give them another season or two and this could be the team to beat.

Seay, George lead Bulldogs past Seattle

After a disappointing 2 points against San Diego State, Freshman guard Paul George showed what he could do when he stays out of foul trouble as he and Jr transfer Sylvester Seay led the Bulldogs to a 79-58 win over Seattle University last night.


Seay, a transfer from Arizona State, led the Bulldogs with a career high 22-points (6-of-9) while George added his 2nd career double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Freshman Mychal Ladd also had a career high night as he dropped in 15 points as well as grabbing six rebounds while Sr guard Dwight O'Neil came up just short of a triple-double. O'Neil would finish the night with 12 points on 4-of-12 shooting, 8 rebounds and 9 assists.

Up next for Fresno State (2-2) will be a matchup with Pac-10 opponent Oregon State on Sunday. Tip off is scheduled for 2pm at the Save Mart Center.

Experienced Aztecs too much for young Bulldogs

The Bulldogs had traveled to beautiful San Diego, CA to take on long time rival San Diego State at Cox Arena on Saturday night. Unfortunately, the more experienced Aztec team had no problem winning a 80-56 decision against the younger Bulldog squad. The largest margin of victory over Fresno State since an 80-58 victory on Feb. 19, 1977.

Aztecs' guard Kyle Spain tied a career high as he dropped in 22 points, on 6-of-12 from the field, to go along with 11 rebounds as well as hitting all 8 of his free throws to lead San Diego State. Also scoring in double figures for the Aztecs was Ryan Amoroso, who had 11.

Unfortunately for Fresno State, their young freshman Paul George was in foul trouble most of the game and was held to just 2 points, his lone basket coming in the final minutes of the game. George had been averaging 19.5 points per game as well as 7.5 rebounds per game. It didn't help the young Bulldog squad that, as a team, they finished the night shooting just 33.3% (22-60) while San Diego State finished at a balmy 51.3% (30-64). Silvester Saey, a Jr. transfer from Arizona State, led Fresno State with 13 points on 5-of-14 from the floor. Freshmen Mychal Ladd finished the night with 8 points on 3-of-12 from the field while Sr. guard Dwight O'Neil would add 12 points to go along with 8 rebounds and 3 assists but turned the ball over 6 times in the game.

Up next for Fresno State (1-2, 0-0), they will return home to close out the month of November as they welcome in Seattle University on Tuesday the 25th, that game will tip off at 7pm, then close out the month against Pac-10 opponent Oregon State on Sunday the 30th, which is a 2pm scheduled tip off.

Freshmen impress, but Bulldogs fall

On what was arguably the biggest college basketball event in recent history, the Fresno State Bulldogs traveled to Moraga, CA to take on St. Mary's as part of a 24-hour live ESPN telecast that started late Monday night and will continue until tonight.

Freshmen Paul George and Mychal Ladd impressed in their first nationally televised game and showed what kind of players they were going to be in the near future, but St. Mary's was just too much for Fresno State as the Gaels won a 99-85 decision on Monday night.

After the game, Bulldogs' head coach Steve Cleveland was thrilled with his teams' effort, especially with his two future stars. "All of our freshmen weren't intimidated. They played hard and gave us great minutes. They will be better as the season goes on and will be better because of this game."

Impressing the most was first year guard Paul George, who recorded his first double-double of his young career, finishing with 25 points, 10 rebounds and a highlight dunk that was just a sign of things to come.

Having a great night as well as Freshman Mychal Ladd, who surpassed his first game total of 10 points as he dropped in 13 for the Bulldogs. Senior point guard Dwight O'Neil fell one rebound short of a double-double as he racked up 12 points and 9 rebounds in the loss.

All in all it was an impressive showing from this young Bulldog squad, they just faced a tougher faster Gaels' squad that jumped out early and didn't allow the Bulldogs to make a full comeback.

Up next for Fresno State (1-1), they will travel to San Diego, CA on Saturday to face off against the San Diego State Aztecs from Cox Arena. Tip off is scheduled for 1pm local time.

Bulldogs open exhibition schedule with a win

Well, you can call it a good start to the basketball season for Fresno State, but I for one am a little worried after Fresno State knocked off Fresno Pacific 97-88 on Tuesday night.

The reason that I'm a little concerned you ask? Should the Bulldogs be giving up 88 points to Fresno Pacific? What's going to happen when teams like Nevada and Boise State come calling? Yes, I know this is a young team and they are definitely in a rebuilding mode with a lot of young players and just one senior, but the defense needs to tighten up. They'll face off against Cal State Stanislaus on Saturday afternoon at 2pm from the Save Mart Center.

The promising thing I take away from the victory is freshmen Paul George and Mychal Ladd, who led the Bulldogs in scoring. George lit up the scoreboard with a 28 point performance, on 11-of-17 shooting, as well as collecting five steals while Ladd chipped in with 21 points of his own, lone senior Dwight O'Neil added 16 points and 7 assists also for the Bulldogs.

Head coach Steve Cleveland, "I am most proud that these guys found a way to win the game by making plays. I appreciate all the fans that came out to watch and know that the support is going to continue to grow."

The attendance on the night was 8,657 at the Save Mart Center, not a bad turnout for an opening night exhibition game.

Bulldogs tip off 2009 season with annual Red/White Scrimmage

The Fresno State Men's Basketball team will tip off their 2008-2009 season with the annual Red/White Scrimmage, which will take place October 29th at the Save Mart Center. The doors will open to the public at 6:30pm with the festivities getting underway at 7pm, admission is free.

The events will not only feature a slam dunk contest between freshman high-flyer Paul George as well as fellow freshman Mychal Ladd, but also a shooting skills competition featuring sophomore forward Nedeljko Golubovic, junior forward Sylvester Seay, sophomore guard Myles Green and freshman guard Taylor Kelly.

With just over a week left before Fresno State opens its exhibition schedule on November 5th against Fresno Pacific, this will give fans a chance to see this young team in action and see the players they can look forward to for years to come. So, get out to the Save Mart Center tomorrow night, it doesn't cost you anything to get in, bring the kids out and let them enjoy the dunk contest and maybe teach them a little about the game of basketball. This event usually isn't sold out, so this might be the best opportunity to see these players close up.

This Fresno State team is a young squad, they may need a year or two to learn from each other, but watch out for them in 2011. In two years, with the talent this team has at this point, this is going to be a very dangerous Bulldog team to deal with. Maybe you can look back and say, "I saw these kids when they were just starting out," it might be a memory you might enjoy.