The Fresno State men’s and women’s basketball teams will host several marquee matchups at the Save Mart Center and will face tough challenges on the road this season — a chunk of those games against nonconference opponents.

Fresno State’s men open the season at UC Irvine on Nov. 8 and at Pittsburgh (the first time the two schools will meet) on Nov. 12.

The men’s team plays Cal State Northridge on Nov. 16 in its home opener before hosting the Fresno State Classic, a three-day tournament featuring CSU Bakersfield, Northern Arizona and Drake University on Nov. 29 to Dec. 1.

Fresno State will be tested in December, when it faces Utah (Dec. 7), Cal (Dec. 14) and Florida (Dec. 21 in the 2013 MetroPCS Orange Bowl Basketball Classic) on the road.

The Bulldogs, coming off a 19-11 season and entering their third year under coach Rodney Terry, open Mountain West Conference play on New Year’s Day at the Save Mart Center against UNLV. The game will be televised on ESPN.

Reigning Mountain West champs host three Pac-12 foes in nonconference play

The Fresno State women’s team, winners of last season’s Mountain West Tournament, also faces early challenges in preparation for conference play — though it won’t face last year’s scheduling burden.

The Bulldogs meet three Pac-12 foes in nonconference play, including Save Mart Center matchups against USC on Nov. 10 and Stanford on Dec. 28. Last season, the Cardinal made a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament and finished the season 33-3. Fresno State plays Washington State on the road on Nov. 22.

Fresno State, under coach Raegan Pebley’s first year at the helm, capped a 20-game home-win streak last season and finished 24-9 overall and 13-3 in conference play.

The majority of Fresno State’s losses last season were away from the Save Mart Center and, more specifically, during a month long, six-game road stretch that spanned through most of Winter Break.

“We tried to create a nonconference schedule that accomplished a few goals,” Pebley said. “First and foremost, we wanted to set the team up for academic success. Keeping them home as much as possible while class is in session is priority number one. We also wanted to take care of our amazing fans and never be away from Save Mart too long. Finally, we wanted to play some tough opponents that will prepare us for Mountain West play.”
Fresno State opens Mountain West play on Jan. 1 against UNLV on the road. Pebley will coach against Utah State, her former team, on Feb. 22.

The 2014 Mountain West Championships will be held in Las Vegas on March 10-15.

Key home games: men’s basketball

Cal State Northridge on Nov. 16
UNLV on Jan. 1
New Mexico on Jan. 18
Colorado State on Feb. 15
San Diego State on March 1

Key home games: women’s basketball

USC on Nov. 10
Stanford on Dec. 28
San Diego State on Jan. 15
Wyoming on Feb. 19
Utah State on Feb. 22