Fresno State puts recent struggles behind before heading back into WAC play
Mike Howells/The Collegian
The Bulldogs had a huge weight lifted off their shoulders, but head coach Steve Cleveland’s embattled squad is not out of the doghouse just yet.
That’s because despite dodging the longest losing streak as Fresno State’s head coach Monday night, Cleveland now must revert back to Western Athletic Conference play, this time on the road.
The ‘Dogs dismantled Seattle 83-53 two nights ago in an out-of-conference contest in the Save Mart Center, but close out this week with big games starting at Nevada on Thursday.
“It’s a game that you’ve got to know and believe when you get on a bus that you can win there,” Cleveland said.
But before Cleveland and company could even look ahead to the WAC showdown in Reno, Nev., some much-needed confidence restoration took place Monday night. After dropping four straight conference games and slipping to sixth place in the conference, the ‘Dogs picked the right time to both go red hot from the field and lights out on defense.
Fresno State shot 58 percent from the field, including 50 percent from three-point land to go along with 27 assists, all season-high numbers for the Bulldogs.
The ‘Dogs also received plenty of bench production from guards Tyler Johnson and Garrett Johnson, as well as big man Bracken Funk. The trio combined for 33 points, including a couple of highlight-reel dunks for the 6,956 in attendance from Tyler Johnson.
Seattle’s fast-paced style of offense boded well for Fresno State Monday night as the Bulldogs reeled off 14 fast break points and controlled the hurried attack well on the other end of the floor.
“I feel like guys were just running the floor like coach was talking about before the game,” Tyler Johnson said. “He was saying that all five guys on their team like to go to the boards, so if we get rebounds we’ll have a lot of looks in transition.”
But despite seeing a 15-point halftime lead double by game’s end, Cleveland insists a transition game will not be what gets his team back on the winning track, especially in conference play.
“Conference games are grind games,” Cleveland said. “People say ‘Where’s the transition?’ I watched [Big East teams] Pitt and Notre Dame play before I came over here, and that game was from 19 feet in for 40 minutes. That’s how games are in conference play.”
While Cleveland anticipates a grind-it-out game Thursday night, he also praised the Wolf Pack’s guards and depth, saying they could be the best team in the WAC, but lack experience.
Nevada’s backcourt is anchored by the play of guards Malik Story, Deonte Burton and Darlo Hunt, who all average 13 points per game. The trio has been on fire and a key cog in Nevada’s current three-game WAC win streak, but the right mindset, Cleveland said, will ultimately decide Fresno State’s outcome.
“I don’t care how well they’ve played or what the circumstances are or how we’ve done,” Cleveland said. “I think that’s the only attitude that you can take, is that we’re going to go to Nevada and we know that they’re very talented.”