Can the Bulldogs Outmaneuver the Broncos at ExtraMile Arena?
As the Fresno State Bulldogs prepare to face off against the Boise State Broncos, fans are eager to see if their team can bounce back from a string of challenging games. The Bulldogs' recent performance has been a rollercoaster, but there's more than meets the eye when it comes to their potential on court.
In their last game on December 23 against San Francisco, FRES struggled defensively, allowing 77 points and suffering from an assist-turnover ratio of just 0.33. With only six assists compared to 18 turnovers and a three-point shooting percentage at a mere 17 percent, it was clear that ball movement and perimeter shooting were significant issues.
However, looking back at the December 19 game against Portland State Vikings in overtime shows that FRES has resilience. Despite losing by three points, they had an improved field goal percentage of 46 percent and dominated in points in paint with 40. Their defensive efforts were notable as well with six blocks and seven steals.
The most telling performance came on December 16 versus Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners where FRES secured a win with strong inside play — shooting an impressive 68 percent from two-point range — and outpacing their opponents with fast break points at 14.
The upcoming game against BSU will be no walk in the park; Boise State is known for its robust defense and home-court advantage at ExtraMile Arena. However, if FRES focuses on maintaining strong defense without fouling excessively — as seen by only seven personal fouls committed against San Francisco — they could very well dictate the pace of this encounter.
To succeed, Fresno State must leverage its ability to score inside while tightening up ball security to reduce turnovers significantly. They'll also need to improve upon their three-point shooting which has been lackluster in recent outings.
With these adjustments and a focus on exploiting BSU's weaknesses through strategic plays that maximize their own strengths such as high-percentage shots close to the basket and aggressive defense leading to fast-break opportunities, there's reason for optimism among Bulldog supporters.
Fans should mark their calendars for February 17th when Fresno State takes on Boise State Broncos at ExtraMile Arena starting at 5:30 PM Mountain Time (7:30 PM Eastern). The game promises excitement for Bulldog fans who can catch all the action live on CBS Sports Network channel number two hundred twenty-one.