Women
(14-9, 9-1 WAC) vs. Idaho (2-20, 1-9 WAC)
Tip-off: Thursday, 7 p.m. at Save Mart Center
Television: Comcast Channel 14
Listen Live: KFPT-AM 790 (ESPN Radio, The Deuce)
Breakdown: Bulldogs
Fresno State still holds the top spot in the conference with a 9-1 record, and currently are defending a three-game winning streak.
The ‘Dogs come into this game with arguably the best offense in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).
Senior Tierre Wilson and freshman Jaleesa Ross have combined for 30 points a game in conference play. Match that with the conference̢۪s most three-pointers and most assists and there is a potent perimeter team that doesn̢۪t hesitate to make the extra pass.
Fresno State will be outsized in this game, however the Bulldogs have been good about keeping teams off the boards. The ‘Dogs allow only 32.9 rebounds a game, a conference best.
Because Fresno State is outsized, they will look to use their speed to outrun the Vandals. The Bulldogs have depended on penetration all year to open up the outside shot. Look for big nights from outside shooters Bailey Admunsen, Hayley Munro and Ross.
For her efforts in last week̢۪s games against Utah and Louisiana Tech, Ross was named the WAC Player of the Week.
Ross has been hot from outside, scoring 21 points against Louisiana Tech, and a career-high 24 points at home against Utah State.
Breakdown: Vandals
Idaho has the worst record in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) with a 1-9 record.
They are on a five-game losing streak and haven̢۪t won since their Jan. 19 overtime victory at home against the Utah State Aggies.
The Vandals have depended on sophomore Katie Madison to provide an offensive spark.
Madison averages 16.8 points per game, making her the fourth best scorer in conference.
Madison also has the best shooting percentage in the league at 61.9 percent.
She is an active and efficient scorer that the Bulldogs will need to pay attention to.
Center Yinka Olorunnife and Madison are both 6 feet tall, and forward Sara Dennehy is 5 feet, ll inches.
This tall order could provide matchup problems in the post, especially at the small forward position.
The Vandals will look to the two towers, Olorunnife and Madison, to lead the offense.
In conference play, Olorunnife and Madison have combined for 27.1 points per game and 14.5 rebounds per game.
Men
(11-13, 4-6 WAC) at Idaho (5-17, 2-9 WAC)
Tip-off: Thursday, 7 p.m. at Cowan Spectrum
Television: Bulldog Sports Network
(Tape Delay at 10 p.m.)
Listen Live: KMJ-AM 580
Breakdown: Bulldogs
Going into the final stretch of the season, the men̢۪s basketball team is still changing. There are many questions that are still left unanswered.
The first question: Can the Bulldogs win on the road? In the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) the ‘Dogs are 1-4 on the road and are going to need to grab some late season road victories.
The second question: Can Eddie Miller be as potent on the road as he is at home? Miller had a tough time scoring on the road early in the season.
The third question: Will Hector Hernandez stay motivated after coach Steve Cleveland̢۪s lecture during practice? Hernandez responded to Cleveland by scoring 22 points against the best team in the WAC.
The last question: What type of progress is Dwight O̢۪Neil making? He is far from the form he was in before injuring his wrist.
Breakdown: Vandals
The Idaho Vandals are coming off a tough four-game losing streak. In the team̢۪s last game, they lost 64-72 to Louisiana Tech, the Western Athletic Conference̢۪s (WAC) worst team.
Idaho is led by junior forward Jordan Brooks. Per game, Brooks averages 14 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.6 steals. Brooks scored 16 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in the team̢۪s conference opener against the Bulldogs.
The ‘Dogs will also need to worry about the three-point shooters that surround Brooks. The Vandals are currently No. 3 in WAC for three- pointers made. Shooters Mike Hall, Clyde Johnson and Michael Crowell shoot 40 percent or above from beyond the arc.
The Vandals should be able to take advantage of Fresno State̢۪s mediocre defensive pressure in the post. The Vandals pull down 11.2 offensive rebounds a game.
