Bryan Cole / Collegian File Photo

The “biggest little city in the worldâ€Â is known for its outdoor recreational activities, casinos, bars and clubs for anyone coming to visit.

But when Fresno State men̢۪s and women̢۪s basketball teams head to Reno, Nev., on Mar. 10, they̢۪ll be visiting for a different reason: a conference tournament title.

Both teams will head to the popular city in Nevada for the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Tournament. Their performances determine whether or not they can compete in the 2009 NCAA Tournament. All games will be played at the Lawlor Events Center.

The women̢۪s basketball team will claim a share of the WAC title by virtue of their tie breaker with Louisiana Tech. However, because the Bulldogs̢۪ tiebreaker, sweep over No. 3 seed Nevada, Fresno State ended up with the number one seed heading into Tuesday.

The defending WAC champs finished the regular season 21-8 overall and 12-4 in the conference. The Lady Techsters share the same conference record with Fresno State and won the last meeting 80-62 back on Mar. 2.

Either Hawaii or San Jose State will be the first opponent for the Bulldogs. The Rainbow Wahine and Spartans will be in the play-in game to determine the final seed.

Women’s team a ‘target’ for other schools

Junior forward Joh-Teena Filipe already seems to have an idea with what to expect out of whoever plays the Bulldogs.

“Hawaii is very fast. They play a full game,â€Â Filipe said. “San Jose State will come out twice as hard. Every team will bring out their best.â€Â

Photo illustration by Collegian Staff

Every team in the conference tournament will have their sights set on Fresno State and their key players. Guard/forward Hayley Munro knows this because she was one of the main contributors on last year̢۪s WAC championship team.

“We have a huge target on our backs,â€Â Munro said. “They’ll try to guard me and Jaleesa (Ross) hard but I think we’re ready for it.â€Â

Munro averaged 10.8 points per game, while Ross led the team with an average of 13.3 points.

For Munro and the women̢۪s team, a second trip to the NCAA tournament will be an even greater boost for their program.

“I think it will be really good for our student body and gain more fans,â€Â Munro said. “We get lots of fans at our games, but its great to have more.â€Â

Men’s hoops faces challenges

The men̢۪s team will have a much tougher road ahead of them. Because of their dismal 3-13 WAC record, they will have to take part in the play-in game.

Paul George will be playing in his first WAC tournament. Senior teammate Dwight O̢۪Neil informed George of the possible challenges that lie ahead.

“What Dwight told me is that the game is going to get more physical,â€Â George said. “We have to grind things out, be physical and be strong at this time of year.â€Â

Fresno State will take on the Hawaii Warriors, who blew past the Bulldogs on the island 69-43 back on Feb. 5. The Bulldogs put up a much better effort the second time around on Feb. 19, but still fell short 73-69.

Photo illustration by Collegian Staff

The winner of that contest clinches the final seed in the tournament where they will face the number one seeded team, which is 27-4 Utah State.

Despite being swept by the Warriors, as well as their two road losses recently to Boise State and Idaho, George still sees a confident bunch heading into Reno.

“In the past, we struggled against Hawaii,â€Â George said. “They’re a great team. They have great players and a great defense. We lost both road games against Boise State and Idaho, but we played well. We’re definitely confident about Tuesday.â€Â