Nov. 30, 2009

FRESNO, Calif. - The magic will be in the air on Tuesday night as the Fresno State Bulldogs return to their old backyard for a special night that will turn back the clock. The Dogs play their first home game in Selland Arena, more commonly known for Bulldog Basketball fans as "Grant's Tomb," where the team called home from 1967-2003 and dominated with a 407-136 record. The game will start at 7 p.m. This marks Fresno State's conclusion of a four-game West Coast Classic exempt tournament over two weeks that included five different conferences. To start the month of December, the Bulldogs host five of their first six contests.

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West Coast Classic (Campus Sites)
Fresno State (2-3, 1-2*) vs University of Pacific (4-1, 2-0*)
Date: Tuesday, December 1, 2009 (Tip Off: 7:00 p.m. PT)
Site: Selland Arena (8,288); Fresno, Calif.
Radio: KMJ 580 AM (Paul Loeffler/Randy Rosenbloom)
TV: None
Online: Gametracker (www.gobulldogs.com)
* - Record in West Coast Classic Games

About the Tigers
The Pacific Tigers, a member of the Big West Conference, is 4-1 on the season and 2-0 in West Coast Classic action. The Tigers started the season with four victories, including a double-overtime 67-64 thriller at Pepperdine and home wins against San Diego, San Deigo State and Santa Clara, before falling 59-55 on a late 3-pointer against San Jose State. Head Coach Bob Thomason is 368-264 in his 22 seasons with Pacific. Terrell Smith leads the Tigers with 12.4 points per game while Sam Willard averages 11.2 ppg and 8.2 rpg.

Against the Tigers
Fresno State trails the overall series with Pacific, 77-74, yet have won the past two games. This will mark the 152nd contest between the schools, for the longest standing series in school history. Of extra note, Grant's teams were 9-0 against Pacific in Selland Arena.

Trip Back in Time Spotlights History of Storied Program
Legendary Bulldog coach Boyd Grant, who directed Fresno State to the 1983 NIT Championship and remains the all-time winningest men's basketball coach in school history, and his first team (1977-78) will be honored during halftime. In addition, the arena will celebrate the past with the revival of the loved human tunnel before the game and special video packages throughout the evening.

Freshman Smith Near Top of Nation in Field Goal Percentage
When 6-10 center Greg Smith decided to play for his hometown Bulldogs, head coach Steve Cleveland and his staff knew they were getting a talented front court player and an even more grounded and humble young man. In his first five games as a Bulldog, Smith has asserted his presence in the low post and is second in the nation in field goal percentage (29-33, 80.6%), for players with more than five field goals made per game and competing in at least 75% of their team's games. The freshman has notched a team-best three double-doubles and paces the Dogs with 8.8 rebounds per game on roughly 28 minutes per contest.

"We Are Your Team!" - The Fresno State men's basketball team is returning to Grant's Tomb on Tuesday, December 1, when they host the Pacific Tigers. Coach Grant and the 1977-78 basketball team will be recognized during the game. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. and tickets can be purchased through the Selland Arena Box Office or on GoBulldogs.com. Tickets purchased in advance will be just $12 and those purchased on the day of the game will be $16.