Aug. 13, 2008

FRESNO, Calif. - The 2008-09 Fresno State men's basketball schedule features 17 home games highlighted by visits from the Pacific-10's Oregon State Beavers and the Mountain West's UNLV Rebels topped with a nationally televised contest in the Save Mart Center against Hawai'i.

"We have developed a very balanced schedule that will certainly test early on a very young bulldog team," head coach Steve Cleveland said. "It is a pre-season schedule that includes challenging games against veteran teams such as San Diego State and St. Mary's on the road and UNLV and Oregon State at home. The pre-season will also be highlighted by an exempt tournament in Las Vegas with DePaul, Creighton, and St Louis."

The first chance to see the Bulldogs in action will be on Oct. 29 in a Red/White scrimmage showcasing the talents of both the men's and women's basketball teams in the Save Mart Center, with a three-point shooting contest, slam dunk exhibition, and autograph opportunities by players and coaches.  Two additional home exhibitions follow as the 'Dogs meet Fresno Pacific (Nov. 5) and Cal State Stanislaus (Nov. 9).

The official home opener is slated for a Nov. 14 Friday night game with Sacramento State at 7 p.m.

The `Dogs then travel up to play Saint Mary's College, a 2008 NCAA Tournament team that went 25-7 last year, for a Nov. 17 game in front of a national ESPN2 audience before trekking down the Golden State to battle the Aztecs in a Nov. 22 contest at San Diego State, who finished the 2007-08 season at 20-13.

After returning home for a date with Seattle University on Nov. 25, the stage is then set for two of the most anticipated Bulldog home games of the season. 

The Pac-10's Oregon State visits the Save Mart Center for a 2 p.m. showdown on Nov. 30. Three days later on Dec. 3, Fresno State welcomes the UNLV Rebels, who lost to eventual national champion Kansas in last year's NCAA Tournament's second round while posting a 27-8 record. 

After quick trip to Stockton for a game with the Pacific Tigers on Dec. 6, the `Dogs return for four home dates, where they play Cal State Bakersfield (Dec. 10), Montana (Dec. 14), Northern Colorado (Dec. 18) and South Carolina Upstate (Dec. 20).

The Bulldogs non-conference road slate then takes them to Las Vegas, Nev. for the Las Vegas Classic, which spans Dec. 22-23.  The`Dogs face Creighton (22-11 and advanced to the NIT in 2007-08) on day one of the tournament and then will be matched with either DePaul or Coach Rick Majerus's Billikens of St. Louis University the next day, depending on the outcome of contests on Dec. 22.

Before starting WAC play, the `Dogs travel to the California coast for a Dec. 29 return game from last year's Bracket Buster with Cal Poly.

The Bulldogs conference schedule begins Jan. 3 by hosting New Mexico State. On Feb. 19, the national spotlight will come to Fresno as ESPN2 broadcasts a Thursday night game with the Hawai'i Warriors.

Fresno State will again take part in the annual ESPN Bracket Buster contest on Feb. 21, with the opponent announced later in the season. The only other break from conference competition comes on Jan. 28 with a home date versus Houston Baptist.

The `Dogs finish the regular season on the road against Boise State (March 5) and Idaho (March 7).

The 2009 WAC Tournament returns to Reno, Nev., after two-years in Las Cruces, N.M., with play starting on March 10 and the conference championship game scheduled for March 14.

Bulldog Sports Network to Broadcast 7 of 8 WAC Road Games
Longtime "Voice of the Bulldogs", Ralph Wood, will call the play-play for men's basketball telecasts again this season will be joined by Bob Donewald as the Bulldog Sports Network broadcasts seven Western Athletic Conference road games. Ralph Wood has served as the Bulldog voice since 1994.

BSN Broadcast Dates
Jan. 15 @ Utah State
Jan. 17 @ Nevada
Feb. 5 @ Hawaii
Feb. 12 @ Louisiana Tech
Feb. 14 @ New Mexico State
Mar. 5 @ Boise State
Mar. 7 @ Idaho

Radio Information
All men's basketball games are broadcast live on KMJ 580 AM with veteran sportscaster Bill Woodward, now in his 37th year covering Bulldog sports, handling the play-by-play duties. In addition, ESPN Deportes, 1600 AM will broadcast Bulldog basketball for the fifth straight year.

2008-09 Men's Basketball Schedule (Home Games Noted in Bold)
Oct. 29 - Red/White Scrimmage & Skills Exhibition
Nov. 5 - Fresno Pacific (Exhibition)
Nov. 9 - Cal State Stanislaus (Exhibition)
Nov. 14 - Sacramento State
Nov. 17 - @ St. Mary's College (ESPN2)
Nov. 22 - @ San Diego State
Nov. 25 - Seattle University
Nov. 30 - Oregon State
Dec. 3 - UNLV
Dec. 6 - @ Pacific
Dec. 10 - Cal State Bakersfield
Dec. 14 - Montana
Dec. 18 - Northern Colorado
Dec. 20 - South Carolina Upstate
Dec. 22 - Creighton (Las Vegas Classic)
Dec. 23 - DePaul or St. Louis (Las Vegas Classic)
Dec. 29 - @ Cal Poly SLO
Jan. 3 - New Mexico State
Jan. 10 - San Jose State
Jan. 15 - @ Utah State (BSN)
Jan. 17 - @ Nevada (BSN)
Jan. 22 - Louisiana Tech
Jan. 24 - @ San Jose State
Jan. 28 - Houston Baptist
Jan. 31 - Utah State
Feb. 5 - @ Hawai'i (BSN)
Feb. 9 - Boise State
Feb. 12 - @ Louisiana Tech (BSN)
Feb. 14 - @ New Mexico State
Feb. 19 - Hawai'i (ESPN2)
Feb. 21 - BracketBusters (TBA)
Feb. 26 - Nevada
Feb. 28 - Idaho
Mar. 5 - @ Boise State (BSN)
Mar. 7 - @ Idaho (BSN)
Mar. 10-14 - 2009 WAC Tournament (Reno, Nev.)

"Join the State - Fresno State" --- The `Dogs host Oregon State on Nov. 30, UNLV on Dec. 3, and welcome WAC competition starting Jan. 3. For the best season tickets in the Save Mart Center, contact the Bulldog Foundation at 559-278-7160. Tickets will soon be available for purchase by clicking on the "Tickets" icon at the top of this page, calling the Bulldog Ticket Office at (559) 278-DOGS, or stopping by the Bulldog Ticket Office. For the latest information on Fresno State men's basketball, log-on to www.gobulldogs.com