Fresno State (10-7, 3-3)

vs. Lousiana Tech (13-7, 6-1)

POINT GUARD

Kevin Bell’s defense has always been stout, but his consistency with turnovers has been subject to question. As of this week, Bell comes in at No. 9 nationally in assists with 6.4 per game. Last time out against the Bulldogs, Bell had three assists and three turnovers. Relieving Bell when needed is Ajay Riding, who has continually been getting more minutes.

Guarding Daevon Haskins can be a challenge for some point guards. Haskins is 6’ 3” tall, and like Bell, loves to pass the ball. Luckily for Fresno State, Haskins' lone weakness is shooting the 3-ball. Still, he must be doing something right to have surprising Louisiana Tech at the top of the conference standings.

WING

Fresno State’s Quinton Hosley is the reigning Xbox Live WAC Athlete of the Week, thanks to his 35-point effort at home against Nevada last week. The hustling Hosley is averaging 19.4 points-per-game with 9.9 rebounds-per-game. Those double-double like numbers have kept the Bulldogs in many games. Both Ja’Vance Coleman and Donovan Morris have been streaky shooters, either being on fire, or ice cold. The addition of Dwight O’Neil should help with depth, as fatigue has set in late in games for Fresno State.

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs have no such issues with depth, and have been getting consistent play from all of its starters. There are no superstars in this area, but guard Marcus Elliott and guard Corey Dean are very capable scorers. Trey McDowell torched Fresno State in Louisiana on the Bulldogs trip to the south with 16 points. McDowell was 6 of 11 from the field coming off the bench. Fresno State will need to contain all in this category, because Paul Millsap has proven to be unstoppable.

CENTER

Hector Hernandez has been out of his mind of late, either that or he has finally become what Fresno State fans thought they were getting. Hernandez has been scoring, rebounding and playing solid defense, all things he will keep up against Tech, especially defense. Renato Cesar has showed some improvement, but does not have near enough quickness to hang around with Tech’s Millsap. After forgoing a possible redshirt year, James Tchana has played minimal minutes, partly because of his tendency to foul.

Louisiana Tech’s Paul Millsap may be the best NBA prospect the WAC has to offer. Millsap is the college version of the Detroit Pistons Ben Wallace, with improved scoring. Even when you are looking for him, Millsap finds a way to get free, and if not, he’ll just hit the offensive glass. Either way, Millsap has shown that he will get his no matter what the defense gives him.

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