The Fresno State men’s basketball team takes its 3-game win streak to Reno, Nev., on Wednesday to take on the Nevada Wolf Pack (12-12, 7-4 Mountain West).
The Bulldogs (11-13, 4-7 MW) are looking to win four straight Mountain West games for the first time in school history. This will be the second meeting this season between the two. The ‘Dogs lost the Jan. 22 meeting in double overtime 96-86.
Coach David Carter and the Wolf Pack, who are tied with UNLV for third in the conference, are coming into this matchup having lost their last two games.
Nevada is lead by conference points-per-game leader Denote Burton (20.7 ppg). In the previous meeting, the ‘Dogs struggled defensively as they allowed two players to score more than 30 points. Burton exploded for 32, while sophomore Cole Huff sank 11 shots for 31 points, career highs for both.
This time around, Fresno State should have a better feel for Nevada’s personnel and key players. Playing better on the defensive end and limiting the Wolf Pack’s opportunities will be key, for Fresno State head coach Rodney Terry.
“We’re excited about that challenge,” Terry said. “They’ve played extremely well in conference play. Obviously, they have one of the better players in the game in Burton. [Guarding him is] not going to be an individual assignment, it’s going to be a team assignment.”
Nevada junior forward A.J. West will be another player for whom the ‘Dogs will have to watch out. In the previous meeting, West’s physical post presence and shot-blocking abilities gave Fresno State problems. West had 13 rebounds and eight blocks that ended up having an impact in the Wolf Pack victory.
“West made a difference in the game. We have to do a better job in terms of trying to keep him off the glass,” Terry said.
Three of the last four contests between the ‘Dogs and Wolf Pack have been decided in overtime with the road team winning each time.
“We understand that we have a lot more work to do,” said Fresno State senior guard Tyler Johnson. “As easy as it was to win these three straight, we can drop three straight if we don’t come prepared and ready to play.”
The game will be broadcast on the Mountain West Network and can be heard live on 940 AM ESPN Radio. Tipoff is set for 7:05 p.m.
