The lowdown
2000-01 record: 26-7; 13-3 in WAC (1st)
Final Ranking: NR
Postseason: Lost to Michigan State 81-65 in second round of NCAA Tournament.
Three Questions for 2001-02
1. Will Damon Jackson and Travis DeManby be able to replace Demetrius Porter's outside shooting? If not them, then who?
2. Can Tito Maddox return to being the difficult to guard point or will he be too predictable? Will he be a leader with Melvin Ely?
3. Can Hiram Fuller and Noel Felix replace Shannon Swillis' work on the boards? Will they give Ely help on the offensive end to force teams to play him with one, rather than two defenders?
Andy Katz's Scenarios
Best case: The Bulldogs have three of the most talented players in the league in Ely, Maddox and Chris Jefferies. If they can get a rebounder and another shooter then Fresno State should win the WAC and have a top 10 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Worst case: The Bulldogs don't defend with the same type of hunger they did last season, fall short of the conference title and miss the NCAAs by a game or two.
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Key Players Returning
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Player
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Yr.
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Melvin Ely
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Sr.
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C
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6-10/256
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PTS: 16.0 | REB: 7.5 | AST: 1.4
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Chris Jefferies
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Jr.
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G
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6-8/216
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PTS: 15.5 | REB: 4.8 | AST: 1.9
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Tito Maddox
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Jr.
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G
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6-4/190
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PTS: 13.5 | REB: 5.8 | AST: 8.0
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Key Losses
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Demetrius Porter
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G
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6-0/182
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PTS: 15.2 | REB: 2.3 | AST: 3.0
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Fresno State Signings
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht.
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High School/College
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Hiram Fuller
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F
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6-9
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Tacoma, Wash./Wabash Valley JC
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Chris Sandy
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G
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6-1
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Fort Smith, Ark./Westark CC
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