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Fresno State
Road to the Final Four.............................................................................................
There is nothing like a 13-game win streak that shapes momentum, something the Bulldogs earned much of from Dec. 13 to Jan. 25. A 9-1 start to WAC play solidified Fresno State as the league's best team, but consecutive losses at Texas Christian (102-88) and Texas-El Paso (80-61) in mid-February made the Bulldogs seem less invincible on a national scale. It was a typical Fresno season, one with just enough adversity and players griping to and about one another to keep things interesting. The Bulldogs had a bad loss at San Francisco (90-89 in double overtime), but then caught fire and didn't lose again until traveling to Hawaii on Feb. 1. Some days, the team chemistry was evident. Others, the "me-first" attitude crept back into the picture. Fresno State did win five of eight road conference games, which helped it keep a somewhat safe distance from other league contenders. After a win over Cal in the first round of the NCAAs, the Bulldogs ran into defending national champion Michigan State in the second round and could not keep up with the Spartans. Player to Watch The numbers were so good early. Scary good. But then the turnovers began mounting and point guard Tito Maddox settled into a pattern of being either on or off. If he is on, the Bulldogs can make a run in the NCAAs. Maddox has looked spectacular at times, a 6-foot-4 sophomore who spent most of the season averaging 14 points, five rebounds and nearly nine assists. But pace is a tricky thing and Maddox often crosses the line between controlled and chaotic. Earlier in the season, Maddox said the Bulldogs will go as far as he takes them. Could be a long ride ... could be a short one. With the Ball Head coach Jerry Tarkanian admitted near season's end that he might have given his starters too many minutes. But those five got the Bulldogs a bid and now is not the time to change things. Fresno State can be either very good or very bad at this end depending on shot selection and tempo. Maddox is a true push guard, but his quickness isn't a threat if he makes bad decisions with the ball. Athletically, the Bulldogs can cause matchup nightmares, especially if forward Chris Jefferies finds a nice flow from the outside. Melvin Ely is a strong presence inside, but the fast-break game Fresno prefers only works with a cohesive group. This one isn't always on the same page.Defending the Ball Pressure. Tarkanian prefers it, but knows his team has not produced UCLA-type results. It's also a risk, given the one-and-done scenario of an NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs will show zone, and need to be more aggressive when playing man. It's not a suffocating defense, but one that can lead to scores if Ely and others control the boards. A point of concern: Small, quick lead guards gave Fresno State trouble this season. The Bulldogs were broken down on the perimeter, which led to easier looks for opponents. Jefferies showed an ability to contain some of the WAC's better talents. Seed Analysis Exceeding the Seed None. Playing to Expectations Falling Short None. BRACKETOLOGY SCORE 1.000 (1.000 is playing exactly to a team's historical seeding). Bracketology Report 1985-2000: Hard to believe, but this is just the second NCAA appearance for the Bulldogs in the 64-team era. Fresno State lost a first-round game last year to Final Four-bound Wisconsin and has won only won NCAA contest in its history. The No. 4 Bulldogs defeated West Virginia in 1982. Fresno has made four NCAA appearances all-time (1-4), and had not been to the tourney since 1984 before these two consecutive berths. Roster
 NCAA Basketball Championship Week It's March, which means the madness has started and invitations are being reserved throughout Championship Week.  Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories |  |
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