Men's Basketball Preview

By Jeff Christian
The Collegian

Fresno State dominated New Mexico State at the Save Mart Center two weeks ago. Trailing by more than 20 points in the second half, the Aggies used a late scoring-run to cut the Bulldogs victory to six points, 75-69. New Mexico State hopes to return the favor when Fresno State travels to the hostile Pan American Center this weekend.

The Bulldogs gritted out a one-point victory at Louisiana Tech on Thursday to pull within a game of Boise State and Utah State for third place in the Western Athletic Conference. Fresno State has a great opportunity to strengthen its seeding and avoid an early meeting with WAC leader Nevada in the conference tournament by winning its final three conference games. All three games are against teams sitting atop the Bulldogs in the conference. If Fresno State can find a way to win all three, its chances for postseason play will significantly increase.

'DOGS

Point Guard
Kevin Bell, 5’10”, 165 lb., Jr.
Bell dominated the Aggies offensive penetration and managed the Bulldogs offense to perfection in the team’s first meeting.

Shooting Guard
Eddie Miller, 6’3”, 170 lb., Jr.
The defense should be stuck to Miller’s hip for most of the game, but if he does get some separation then the rainmaker will do his work.

Small Forward
Quinton Hosley, 6’6”, 210 lb., Sr.
Hosley should be able to attack the paint against any defender the Aggies throw out on the floor.

Power Forward
Dominic McGuire, 6’8”, 210 lb., Jr.
McGuire continues to grow more comfortable offensively in the low-post and his confidence is sky high after breaking Melvin Ely’s school record for blocked shots in a single season with 96.

Center
Hector Hernandez, 6’9”, 225 lb., Jr.
Hernandez reconnected with his comfort zone against LA Tech, scoring 15 points.

AGGIES

Point Guard
Elijah Ingram, 6’1”, 190 lb., Sr.
The Bulldogs would prefer to see Ingram shooting from the outside rather than Hawkins or Peete.

Shooting Guard
Fred Peete, 6’4”, 200 lb., Jr.
A tremendous 3-point shooter with great range; Miller must work through screens and challenge every shot.

Small Forward
Justin Hawkins, 6’7”, 205 lb., Jr.
The Aggies leading scorer struggled to find his shot at the Save Mart Center, shooting a woeful three of 10 from the field. Don’t expect a similar performance at home.

Power Forward
Tyrone Nelson, 6’9”, 210 lb., Jr.
Nelson can score inside but his outside game leaves much to the imagination.

Center
Hatila Passos, 6’9”, 230 lb., Jr.
Passos is a beast inside, but Alex Blair was able to come off the bench and shut him down in the team’s first meeting.

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