La Tech Entering:
The Bulldogs come into Fresno off a loss at Hawaii 71-57. Tech enters with a 0-7 WAC record and a 3-16 overall record. This has been a difficult season thus far; the Bulldogs do not have the depth to compete with most teams and are lacking the amount of talent necessary to stay in most games. The real bright spot for Tech has most definitely been guard Kyle Gibson. Gibson is averaging 15.5 points per game (only Bulldog in double figures) along with 5.6 rebounds. He is also shooting 35% from three.
Tech Team Stats:
58.2 points per game (70.2 opp)
39.4% field goals (48.2% opp)
28.6 rebounds per game (38.1 opp)
8.1 assists per game (13.5 opp)
13.1 turnovers per game (13.8 opp)
Fresno State Entering:
The ‘Dogs come back home after the loss in Reno 79-67 and have dropped two straight, the first was the overtime heartbreaker at the hands of Boise State. Kevin Bell had 22 points and five rebounds in leading the Bulldogs. Eddie Miller added 17 points and four assists and the big surprise was freshman Brandon Webster who had career highs with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The Bulldogs once again fell behind early on the road, and against a team like Nevada that is not going to be an easy hole to dig out of. Marcellus Kemp dominated and could o’t be stopped by the Dogs, he finished with 28 points. There were too many easy baskets for the Wolf Pack while the Bulldogs missed a few too many easy opportunities. The Pack finished on 50% shooting from the field, 61% from three. Those numbers are difficult to overcome for any team, especially a shorthanded Bulldog squad.
What to Look for:
Look for the ‘Dogs to play well in the friendly confines of the Save Mart Center, guard Eddie Miller is averaging 28 points per game in WAC contests at home. They need to use this opportunity to get minutes for Webster and gain some confidence as a team. The key will be holding Tech swingman Kyle Gibson under wraps cause he is the key to the Tech’s success. Tyson Parker will get the start and will be matching up with Gibson.
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