The Fresno State Bulldogs kick off the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season with a home opener against the Fresno Pacific University Sunbirds.
At the helm for the ‘Dogs is second-year Head Coach Vance Walberg.
In his first year at Fresno State, the Bulldogs had their worst season in school history, finishing with a 6-26 overall record and a 2-18 record in the Mountain West.
The ‘Dogs ended their season with a first-round exit in the Mountain West Tournament at the hands of the University of Nevada, Reno.
For Walberg, a big difference from last season to this one is the team’s ability to bring in more talent, both from the United States but also internationally.
“One of the big things, we were able to recruit the whole time,” Walberg said. “I think we’ve done pretty well on getting the players that I’d really like to get.”
The Bulldogs were able to bring in veteran players like Cameron Faas who previously played at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and Jake Heidbreder who spent time at the Air Force Academy and most recently at the University of Clemson.
Despite being a new addition, Faas is already looking forward to playing in front of his new home.
“Everyone’s hungry, so everyone’s really, like excited to get Save Mart [Center] jumping,” Faas said. “Bring people back and just turn around from last year.”
As for Heidbreder, Walberg had high praise for his redshirt senior guard.
“He’s a phenomenal shooter but he’s probably the best cutter I’ve ever had,” Walberg said. “Combination of him being strong, combination of him being in great shape, combination of him at Air Force with the way they played.”
Before playing for Clemson, Heidbreder was no stranger to the Mountain West. He led the Falcons with 15.1 points per game in the 2022-23 season as a sophomore.
The Bulldogs also retained one of their most trusted pieces from last season in Zaon Collins.
The junior guard is making his return to the Save Mart Center after leading the Bulldogs in points, assists and steals per game just a year ago.
While the ‘Dogs have high hopes for the season, the team isn’t without its struggles.
Freshman guard Nathan Zulemie suffered a season-ending knee injury during a scrimmage against the University of Santa Barbara.
In the Bulldogs’ six weeks of practice, Zulemie led the team in multiple statistical categories including defensive rebounds, steals and was second on the team in assists.
Losing out on the top rebounder puts the Bulldogs at a disadvantage who already struggle with winning the battle inside.
“It’s definitely a mentality,” Walberg said. “You sometimes, you have dogs that just go get that ball, Nate was one of those guys.”
The Bulldogs did add more names to the frontcourt, however. After missing out on all of last season due to eligibility issues, forward Makhan Diouf is back for the Bulldogs.
Slovenian center Gasper Kocevar and French center Wilson Jacques round out the bigs for the Bulldogs.
The ‘Dogs were picked near the bottom of multiple Mountain West preseason polls which Walberg has said only motivates him more.
The Fresno State men’s basketball team will get its first chance to prove the polls wrong on Monday, Nov. 3, when the Bulldogs open against the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds. Tip-off is at 7:30 at the Save Mart Center.
