Nov. 12, 2008
This Week in Fresno State Men's Basketball...
Complete Release in PDF Format 
Fresno State vs. Sacramento State
Date: Friday, November 14, 2008 (Tip Off: 7:00 p.m.)
Site: Save Mart Center (15,596); Fresno, Calif.
Radio: KMJ 580 AM (Paul Loeffler/Randy Rosenbloom) & ESPN Deportes 1600 AM in Spanish (Jess Gonzalez/Doug Kessler)
TV: None
Online: www.kmj580.com (Audio - Free) & www.gobulldogs.com (Video - Bulldog All-Access)
Bulldogs Open Regular Season at Home
The Fresno State Bulldogs open their 2008-09 regular season with "Take a Kid to a Game Night" against the Sacramento State Hornets this Friday, November 14 at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs have won four straight season openers and 11 of their past 12 opening games. The Bulldogs have also won their past eight starts at home. Overall, Fresno State is 60-23 in season openers and 64-19 in home opening contests. Note: Wins in 1998 and 2000 were later vacated due to NCAA rules infractions.
About the Hornets
Head coach Brian Katz enters his first season at the helm of a Division I program after a 19-year junior college head coaching career at both Lassen and San Joaquin Delta College. The Hornets return four players and welcome 12 newcomers to the squad. The team finished with a 4-24 record during 2007-08 as returning guard Loren Leath led the team in scoring (13.1 ppg).
Against the Hornets
Fresno State leads the overall series between the two schools 38-10, winning the last 21 games and 26 of 27 contests. The `Dogs are undefeated (24-0) against the Hornets at home. The teams last met on Dec. 11, 2004 when the Bulldogs won 72-54.
"Built to Last"
With eight newcomers (six freshmen and two junior transfers) and only one senior, fourth-year head coach Steve Cleveland and his distinguished staff turns to the foundation of the team they have built to compete for a Western Athletic Conference Championship and the opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament.
O'Neil Fills Role as Team Leader
Senior guard Dwight O'Neil returns for his final season with his hometown Bulldogs. After missing the first half of 2007-08 due to injury, O'Neil competed in 14 contests (starting 12) as he racked in 8.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. The `Dogs look to the fifth-year senior (redshirted 2006-07) as the bonafide team leader.
National Exposure for Bulldogs
Fresno State will play at least twice before national television audiences on ESPN and ESPN2. The Bulldogs first appearance will be Nov. 17 on the road against Saint Mary's College at 11 p.m. as part of the ESPN College Hoops Tip Off, featuring a 24-hour marathon of college basketball programming. ESPN2 will feature a WAC battle with the Hawai'i Warriors on Feb. 19 (8 p.m.) in the Save Mart Center.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs open the regular season on Friday, November 14 as they host Sacramento State at 7:00 pm in the Save Mart Center. It's Take a Kid to a Game Night and all youth 8th grade and under will receive FREE admission when accompanied by a paid adult (one youth per adult ticket). Fresno State marketing students will be collecting new and gently used books for preschool through high school aged students for the Central Valley Book Bank. Collection bins will be located throughout the Save Mart Center. Tickets are on sale now through the Save Mart Center box office, by calling (559) 485-TIXS or online at ticketmaster.com.
