The Fresno State men’s basketball team has had its fair share of struggles in Vance Walberg’s first season as head coach.

The Bulldogs currently sit with a 5-14 record overall and a 1-7 conference record. Their one conference victory happened when the ‘Dogs beat the now 0-7 (conference record) Air Force Falcons at the Save Mart Center on Jan. 20.

With the season at the halfway point, this offers a chance to look at what has led to the struggles.

Lack of continuity within the team

The Bulldogs are no strangers to dealing with injuries this season.

The team has been without David Douglas Jr. multiple times. The sophomore guard played in the first four games of the season before suffering an injury in the double overtime loss to California Baptist on Nov. 27. He returned on Jan. 11 and scored 16 points before suffering another knee injury. Douglas Jr. hasn’t played a game since.

Then there’s forward Pierre Geneste Jr. who has missed 11 games this season with a hand injury. Since returning on Jan. 11, Geneste Jr. has been playing with his injured hand in a wrap, making it almost impossible to shoot.

Guards Zaon Collins and Jalen Weaver have both missed two games, each with ankle injuries.

Center Mor Sek missed a game with a knee injury. Sek came to Fresno State coming off of ACL surgery. He can be seen sporting a large knee brace when he plays.

With all the injuries, it has made it difficult for Coach Walberg to find any continuity within the lineup.

However, the lack of a consistent lineup isn’t just caused by injuries.

Forward Makhan Diouf hasn’t played at all this season due to eligibility reasons and forward Mykell Robinson has missed two games due to academics.

Amar Augillard, who was the team’s leading scorer, is no longer on the team. Through his 11 games with the team, the junior guard averaged 13.3 points and 2.5 rebounds a game on 37% shooting from the field. Despite multiple performances of 20-plus points, including a 30-point game in the season opener against Sacramento State, Augillard and the team decided to part ways.

Rebounding struggles

The Bulldogs are one of the worst rebounding teams in the Mountain West.

The ‘Dogs average almost 36 rebounds a game when their opponents average 43 a game. The team has allowed a conference-worst 820 rebounds this season.

The next worst conference team at allowing opponent rebounds is the University of New Mexico, which has allowed nearly 100 fewer total rebounds this season.

In the Bulldogs’ last game against the Lobos, they were outrebounded 54-35. They lost that game 95-67.

Shooting woes

The Bulldogs are middle of the conference when it comes to points per game, averaging nearly 73 a game, but their shooting percentages show why they have struggled to compete this season.

The ‘Dogs are the worst shooting team in the Mountain West. They shoot 40% from the field and 31% from the 3-point line. The team is also near the bottom in free throw percentage at 68%.

Where do they go from here?`

With all the issues Coach Walberg has had to deal with, it is not too surprising that the team is struggling in his first year.

Despite the team’s record, fans still show up. The Bulldogs have the sixth-highest average fan attendance of home games in the conference.

With 12 games left until the Mountain West Tournament, a good finish to the season can prove beneficial for not only fans, but the program. If Walberg can turn the season around to a near .500 record, Fresno State could be a more sought-after location for recruits and transfers coming from the portal.

It may just take time, and a healthy team, for Walberg to bring the program back to where the fans want to see it.