Men's Basketball Preview
Fresno State (14-11, 7-6) vs. Boise State (13-13, 5-5)
Point Guard
Kevin Bell epitomizes what the rest of the Bulldog basketball team is — tough. Bell took a lot of contact early on in the game against San Jose State, even though no fouls were called, and continued to lead the Fresno State offense. Against the Spartans, Bell had 16 points and 6 assists, making him one of four Bulldog players to reach double-figures in scoring. Boise State is a running team, so Bell is going to have to be ready defensively.
Whoever Bell guards will not be a scoring threat. Last time out against the Bulldogs, Matt Bauscher had 11 points, while Eric Lane put in 8. The Broncos are likely to once again leave Bell open offensively, so Bell will need to be on his game behind the arc, or pass the ball around to someone who will.
Wing
Against the Broncos, both Ja'Vance Coleman and Quinton Hosley should not have trouble getting some shots. With Dwight O'Neil averaging 10.4 points per game, the Bulldogs now have three players who average double-figures in points. Coleman and Hosley are the other two. O'Neil will likely draw the task of defending the Broncos best scorer — Coby Karl.
Karl is the lone Boise State player averaging over 10 points, as his 17.5 point per game leads the Broncos.
Both Tyler Tiedeman and Kareem Lloyd are decent players, but they are only streaky offensive players.
The Broncos will need some production from the all three for Boise State to get a victory on the road.
Center
The past few games, it has been one kind of trouble or another for Hector Hernandez. A broken nose has caused Hernandez to miss out on minutes during games, as has foul trouble. It looks like Renato Cesar is going to be available off the bench, despite a bone spur in his foot. A fast-paced game would not be ideal for James Tchana. Hernandez will have to avoid foul trouble and rebound for the Bulldogs to be successful. Regardless of who is in, points in the paint will be needed.
Tez Banks is another athletic big man, but nothing the Bulldogs have not seen before. Banks and Lloyd average a little over five rebounds each. Depending on how will the Bulldogs shoot three-pointers will depend on how many opportunities they get.
Comment on this story in the Sports forum >>
|
