’Dogs prepare for Pac-12 opponent Colorado

Breakdown: Bulldogs

After an upsetting 59-50 loss to Washington State, the Fresno State (5-4, 0-0 MWC) men’s basketball team will host a Pac-12 team this Wednesday when it plays Colorado at the Save Mart Center.­ Game time is at 7 p.m. Tickets are free for students or can be purchased online at savemartcenter.com.

This home game should be a challenge for the experienced Bulldogs as they get set to battle one of the tougher opponents they have played this year.­ Colorado, which was ranked in the nation’s Top 25 earlier in the year, is poised to have a good season and possibly make a run for the national title.

In order to win, Fresno State will look to play a defensive game and keep the score low.­ The ’Dogs will use their hustle on defense to defend the talented Buffaloes squad, in hopes of stealing the victory at home.­ Fresno State’s four losses have come by a combined total of 23 points.

Fresno State will continue to rely on its leading scorer, junior Allen Huddleston, who ranks 15th in the Mountain West Conference.­ Meanwhile, the Bulldogs will look to take full advantage of the home court and stop Colorado’s tough rebounding squad.

Fresno State’s 6-foot 7-inch, 220-pound forward Jerry Brown and 6-foot 8, 230-pound forward Kevin Foster will have their night cut out for them as they try to slow down a surging Colorado defense.­ Colorado has one of the nation’s top rebounders, and the ‘Dogs will try to keep the Buffaloes second-chance opportunities to a minimum.

Breakdown: Buffaloes

Coming off a loss to ninth-ranked Kansas, the Colorado Buffaloes (7-2, 0-0 Pac-12) look to regain momentum against a Fresno State team that is still searching for its identity. Colorado will travel to Fresno Wednesday to meet the Bulldogs in a nonconference game.

Colorado has a young and talented team with two starting sophomores who played a part in helping the team win last year’s Pac-12 title and taking the Buffaloes to a surprising first-round win in the NCAA tournament

However, Colorado has struggled on the road this year going 0-2 in away games.­ The Buffaloes remain unbeaten at home and will look to get themselves back on track while visiting Fresno.

The Buffaloes’ game will continue to revolve around their offense and the team’s two leading scorers, Spencer Dinwiddle and Askia Booker. Dinwiddle leads the Buffaloes with an average of 16.4 points in their first nine games.

Colorado needs to get its big men going early and utilize its rebounding advantage in order to get more offensive opportunities.­ Colorado’s 6-foot 7 210-pound Andre Robinson ranks as one of the nation’s top five rebounders, averaging 11.4 a game. Robinson also ranks fifth in the Pac-12 in blocks and steals.

Colorado was coming off a surprisingly successful season and was ranked in the country’s Top 25, but after a heartbreaking 2-point loss in November to Wyoming, Colorado was pushed out of the Top 25.

The Buffaloes have had a few key victories this year including a win over Baylor in the second round of the Charleston Classic Tournament. Baylor ranked 17th, knocked Colorado out of the NCAA tournament last year by two points.