For the first time in five years the Fresno State men̢۪s basketball team received a postseason bid.

The Bulldogs were one of 32 teams to receive a bid to play in the 2007 National Invitational Tournament.

Fresno State was given a five-seed in the West region bracket. The Bulldogs will travel to SEC country to play the fourth-seeded University of Georgia on Wednesday. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. EST.

Cleveland said the NIT bid was very satisfying and a great reward for the team̢۪s effort and perseverance all season.

A postseason bid seemed unlikely one month ago when the Bulldogs found themselves with a disappointing 5-6 conference record and 16-8 record overall. Fresno State regrouped and closed out the regular season with six-straight wins, five of which were WAC games, before losing to Boise State in the WAC tournament.

“The last month or so we’ve had great chemistry and a great work ethic,” Cleveland said. “Our backs were against the wall and we were playing for our postseason lives.”

Preparation for the trip to Georgia will be a quick turnaround for the Bulldogs. After selections for the NIT were announced Sunday evening, Fresno State had a late evening practice. The Bulldogs will practice again Monday morning and the team will leave for Georgia Monday afternoon.

“The preparation isn’t what it normally would be but that’s the same for both teams,” Cleveland said.

Cleveland also said while he hasn̢۪t seen much of Georgia this season, the two teams will exchange three game tapes to help prepare for Wednesday̢۪s game.

Although both teams have little time to prepare, Georgia will have the advantage of playing at home.

“It will be a challenge,” Cleveland said. “They are very physical, but I’m confident our guys will compete at a very high level.”