When the Cal Poly Mustangs come to the Save Mart Center tonight, Fresno State men’s basketball coach Rodney Terry expects his team to be physical and maintain its control of the basketball.
That’s because the Bulldogs understand an experienced Mustang squad will be on the court.
“Cal Poly is an older team that knows what it’s looking for offensively,” Terry said, “and it will run when given that opportunity. We have to get back, get our defense set and do a great job at trying to guard these guys.”
In order to do so, transition defense is something Terry stresses each and every practice.
“Teams really struggle the first part of the year in transition defense, so that will be a work in progress,” Terry said. “We’ve made some progress with that part of the game, and that is predicated by shot selection and having a flow offensively.”
Seniors Allen Huddleston and Tyler Johnson have served as leaders for the Bulldogs heading into the 2013-14 season. Freshman Paul Watson has the most average points per game (ppg) on the team (16.3) and is tied for second in steals (4). Sophomore Marvelle Harris is second with 15.7 ppg.
“[The seniors] started the leadership back in the spring,” Terry said. “They have logged a lot of minutes over the two years that I’ve been here. Those guys know exactly what’s expected of our team in terms of how we carry ourselves on and off the court.”
Scouting the Mustangs
The Mustangs are winless coming into Fresno, but they won the last matchup against the Bulldogs (65-46 on Dec. 17, 2011). Fresno State holds the all-time record against Cal Poly (45-18), including 20-3 at the Save Mart Center.
Joe Callero is in his fifth season as the Cal Poly head coach. During the 2012-13 season, the Mustangs set program records in conference victories (12), win percentage (.667), and they played in their first postseason game in 27 years.
Three seniors lead the veteran squad. Forward Chris Eversley is coming off his 36th career double-digit scoring game with 19 points against Nevada on Nov. 12. The 6-feet-7, 225-pounder is second in the Big West Conference with 18 ppg and fifth with nine rebounds.
Guard Kyle Odister is ninth in the Big West in three-point shooting (41.7 percent) and averages 16 ppg this season. Jamal Johnson has provided the assistance for the Mustangs and leads the Big West with five assists per game.
The game will begin at 7 p.m., and then on Saturday, Fresno State will visit the University of the Pacific.