Fresno State vs. Texas-El Paso
Game Preview by EDDIE HUGHES / The Collegian
Bulldogs
Point Guard
Kevin Bell’s speed and quickness have helped him develop into a defensive threat. He came up with a key steal from Bryan Hopkins to help the Bulldogs beat SMU.
Wing
Clutch is the best way to describe Ja’Vance Coleman. He proved it with yet another winning shot in the final seconds on Saturday.
Wing
Donovan Morris made just 2 of 9 3-pointers in a home win over UTEP earlier this season. The Bulldogs might need better shooting from him this time.
Power Forward
Solid all-around play from Dreike Bouldin helped Fresno State upset UTEP the first time around. His 12 points and eight rebounds are the types of numbers that can allow the Bulldogs to win again.
Center
Mustafa Al-Sayyad led the team with 16 points in the first meeting but has scored just 10 points in the past two games combined. His presence is a must in Thursday’s matchup.
Intangibles
The Bulldogs were the first WAC team to beat UTEP this season, on Coleman’s 30-foot buzzer-beater. The Miners have since lost to Tulsa and Louisiana Tech, but remain one of the teams to beat in the conference. Winning at UTEP will be even more difficult.
Miners
Point Guard
Filiberto Rivera is the Miners’ third-leading scorer at 12.1 points per game. But he does more than just score, also averaging 6.7 assists.
Edge: Miners
Shooting Guard
Junior Miguel Ayala is dangerous from 3-point land. He was 2 of 5 on 3-pointers in the teams’ first meeting this season.
Edge: Bulldogs
Small Forward
The Bulldogs kept Jason Williams relatively quiet earlier this season. Williams averages 12.4 points but scored just four for UTEP in a January loss to the Bulldogs.
Edge: Miners
Power Forward
Part of the reason Omar Thomas averages 20 points per game is his 27-point outing against Fresno State this year. If the Bulldogs allow him to play that well again, they probably won’t win this time.
Edge: Miners
Center
John Tofi nearly had a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds in the first meeting. He has played well against the Bulldogs in the past.
Edge: Even
Intangibles
UTEP has not lost a WAC home game yet this season. The Bulldogs have a chance to sweep the season series.
Edge: Miners
|
