FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2012
THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS SPORTS EDITOR, LUKE SHAFFER • COLLEGIAN-SPORTS@CSUFRESNO.EDU
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THE PLAYBOOK PAGE 3 Raegan Pebley The women’s new head coach heads into her first season at Fresno State with big expectations.
PAGE 6 Ki-Ki Moore & Rosie Moult The two returning top scorers look to lead the Bulldogs to another conference championship.
PAGE 7 Tyler Johnson & Tanner Giddings Junior guard and freshman forward will add depth both on offense and defense to the ‘Dogs.
PAGE 8 Allen Huddleston The junior guard embraces his new role of running the Bulldogs’ offense.
KEY PLAYERS MEN’S TEAM
Jerry Brown, #0 6’7”, F
Kevin Foster, #24 6’8”, F
Allen Huddleston, #21 6’2”, G
Tyler Johnson, #1 6’2”, G
Kevin Olekaibe #3 6’2”, G
Robert Upshaw, #30 7’0”, C
Alex Sheedy, #10 6’1”, F
Jacinta Vandenberg, #15 6’6”, C
WOMEN’S TEAM
Ki-Ki Moore, #24 5’8”, G
Rosie Moult, #25 6’1”, G/F
Bree Farley, #5 5’10”, G
Taylor Thompson, #33 5’5”, G
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2012
THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS SPORTS EDITOR, LUKE SHAFFER • COLLEGIAN-SPORTS@CSUFRESNO.EDU
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“I definitely know there’s expectations here. That’s part of why I took the job.” − Raegan Pebley, Head coach
New coach leads Bulldogs to new frontiers By Ricardo Cano The Collegian New coach. New conference. Same goals. In women’s basketball coach Raegan Pebley’s first press conference as a Bulldog, she addressed the media and reaffirmed her goals for the program. “We will build and continue the success that this program’s had … I definitely know there’s expectations here. That’s part of why I took the job.” As the ninth head coach in the program’s history, Pebley will lead Fresno State into its first season in the Mountain West Conference in hopes of capturing a conference championship and a sixth consecutive berth in the NCAA tournament. Pe b l e y wo n We s t e r n A t h l e t i c Conference Coach of the Year honors in 2011 and was also named the 2012 RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA Region 7
“I
t was just exciting to know we had a new coach. Ever since she came, it’s been great... I think the new coaching staff has made out transition pretty smooth. We’re progressing as a team.” — Ki-Ki Moore, Junior guard
Coach of the Year, while she was head coach at Utah State. “When they hired her, we didn’t know what to expect,” junior guard Ki-Ki Moore said. “We didn’t know who she was going to bring in. It was just exciting to know we had a new coach. Ever since she came it’s been great … I think the new coaching staff has made our transition pretty smooth. We’re progressing as a team.” Pebley, who was head coach at Utah State for nine seasons, helped reinstate an Aggies women’s basketball program that had not fielded a team for 16 years. It was guaranteed that Pebley’s Aggies and the Bulldogs would meet at least twice a year when Utah State joined the WAC in 2006. “That’s the funny thing,” senior Rosie Moult said. “We always scouted against her, and she always scouted against us. But I think that’s kind of a good thing that she’d always scouted against us.” Moult said that scouting gave an opportunity for Pebley to already know some of the Bulldogs’ strengths and weaknesses. The one thing Moult remembers having to prepare for extensively was the Aggies’ defense – schemes now being taught to and learned by the Bulldogs. “They had really good defensive pressure in their zones, which is one thing we always used to struggle against,” Moult said. “Now actually learning how to play those zones is quite fun.”
“O
ur core unit is just as strong as Fresno State’s core unit as always been.” — Raegan Pebley, Head coach
Pebley inherits a roster that returns four of five starters from last year’s WAC championship team. “Our core unit is just as strong as Fresno State’s core unit has always been,” Pebley said. “Defense has been a huge asset to Fresno State. Probably one of their most underrated skills is what they can do on the defensive end. That’s still going to be consistent for us.” The Bulldogs were heavily reliant on attempting shots on the perimeter in previous seasons – making flurries of 3-pointers. It’s still a strong suit for the Bulldogs, but, under Pebley, the offense will aim for more balance in an up-tempo version of the Princeton offense that “allows you to create a lot of 3-point shots and also a lot of high-percentage shots,” Pebley said. “We do not run pure Princeton. It’s a read-and-react offense.” So far in the young season, the Bulldogs have participated in an exhibition match against Fresno Pacific,
a closed scrimmage against Saint Mary’s, their season opener at Stanford and their home opener against Cal Maritime. From NAIA opponents to facing a team ranked fourth in the nation, the level of competition the Bulldogs have faced has been wide in spectrum. Though the Bulldogs have not seen a consistent level of competition from opponents, Pebley said, “I would like to see us at point as we’re heading into the second week of December. We’re seeing more consistency in our system. “We’ve got a lot in right now, but not a lot that we’re running very well. We’re at a point right now where we won’t add a lot. We’ll just want to see us get better.” Fresno State won its home opener at the Save Mart Center on Monday ag ainst Cal Maritime, 82-43. The Bulldogs have 13 home games remaining this season. They host Grambling State on Tuesday at 7 p.m. “It’s just good to be home,” Pebley said after trouncing Cal Maritime in the Bulldogs’ home opener. “Save Mart Center is one of the toughest arenas to play in. the fact that this is a place we get to call home whenever we can be here, that’s fantastic. We get to settle in a little bit and nest in for a little while before we go on a tough road trip in December.”
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THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS SPORTS EDITOR, LUKE SHAFFER • COLLEGIAN-SPORTS@CSUFRESNO.EDU
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2012
Photos by Michael Price / The Collegian
The team huddles up during a timeout in the Bulldogs’ 82-43 win over Cal Maritime Monday night at the Save Mart Center. 6-foot-6 Jacinta Vandenberg fights off a Cal Maritime defender in the post as she positions for a shot attempt.
Junior guard Taylor Thompson dribbles the ball during Monday night’s 82-43 win over Cal Maritime at the Save Mart Center. Last season, Thompson averaged eight points per game and tallied 124 assists. Raven Fox jumps for a rebound and outhussles Cal Maritime defenders Monday night at the Save Mart Center. The sophomore guard scored 10 points en route to the Bulldogs’ 82-43 win over the Keelhaulers.
Coach Raegan Pebley’s “Queen on the chessboard,” utility player Bree Farley peers toward the basket in anticipation for a shot attempt at the Save Mart Center.
Alex Sheedy in posession of the basketball during the Bulldogs’ home-opening 82-43 win over Cal Maritime Monday night at the Save Mart Center. Sheedy made three of four 3-point attempts in the win.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2012
THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS SPORTS EDITOR, LUKE SHAFFER • COLLEGIAN-SPORTS@CSUFRESNO.EDU
PAGE 5
Senior forward Kevin Foster pushes past a Sunbirds defender. Foster averaged 8 points per game last season.
Tyler Johnson shows off his dunking skills during Red & White Hoops Night on Oct. 23. Johnson looks to make his last season count.
Freshman Tanner Giddings, at 6’10”, uses his height to capture a rebound in the Bulldogs’ exhibition match against Fresno Pacific University. Junior guard Allen Huddleston celebrates during the match against Fr e s n o Pa c i f i c University, in which the ‘Dogs won 77-68.
Kevin Foster takes one to the rim after a breakaway against Fresno Pacific University. Foster had 16 points in the game, and went 6-for-11 from the floor.
Timeout takes a walk with the Bulldogs’ new live mascot, Victor E. II. The two have been getting closer since Victor E. II’s Sept. 15 debut. Photos by Michael Price, Roe Borunda and Garrett Horn / The Collegian
THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS SPORTS EDITOR, LUKE SHAFFER • COLLEGIAN-SPORTS@CSUFRESNO.EDU
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2012
MOORE, MOULT RETURN TO LEAD EXPERIENCED LINEUP By Ricardo Cano The Collegian
Senior Rosie Moult and junior Ki-Ki Moore are among four starters returning from a Bulldogs team that won a school-record 28 voictories and captured Fresno State’s fourth Western Athletic Conference championship in the past five years. A veteran team accustomed to 20-plus win seasons and taking home conference titles will have the same opportunity this year – but in the Mountain West Conference instead. “It’s going to be a really exciting season,” Moult said. “Being in a new conference, we don’t know really what to expect.” But for this year’s edition, while winning another conference championship remains on the itinerary, it might not be the biggest or most satisfying goal for the season. “We have the same goals,” Moore said. “The new coaching staff didn’t change any of that. Instead of winning the WAC, we want to win the Mountain West. “And we want to get to the (NCAA) tournament and actually get a win for this program.” The Bulldogs (1-1), who have made an appearance in the NCAA tournament the past five years, have not been able to make it past the first round. Winning a conference title remains the primary goal for this veteran bunch. But a tournament win would be the icing on the cake. “Our goal is to win the Mountain West outright and win the tour nament,” said Moult, who averaged 13.1
“W
e have the same goals. The new coaching staff didn’t change any of that. Instead of winning the WAC, we want to win the Mountain West.” — Ki-Ki Moore Junior guard
Esteban Cortez / Collegian File Photo
Leading the team in scoring with 16.8 points per game, Junior guard Ki-Ki Moore aims to do the same this season as the ’Dogs begin their ascent of the Mountain West Conference.
points and 5.6 rebounds per game last season. “We really want to win some games in the NCAA tournament, which we’ve never done before.” The Bulldogs return core pieces that will attempt to win a tournament game this season. Moult was a second-team All-WAC selection the past two seasons. She is one of the perimeter players on the team that performs pure surgery behind the 3-point arc. M o o re, M o u l t , g u a rd Tay l o r Thompson, forward Alex Sheedy and utility player Bree Farley each made more than 33 percent of their 3-point
“I
’ve got three years of experience so it’s easy to teach the newcomers what they need to know.” — Rosie Moult, Senior forward shots last season. Last week, in the Bulldogs’ 82-43 win over Cal Maritime, an NAIA program, Sheedy made three of four shot attempts at the 3-point arc, and Farley
Dalton Runberg / Collegian File Photo
Senior forward Rosie Moult led the Bulldogs last season in total blocks by registering 22. Moult will continue to do the same this season to help out the team as Fresno State looks to climb the to the top of the Mountain West under first-year coach Raegan Pebley.
made four of six. But while fans will still see Fresno State net the cornerstone 3-pointer, one added dimension to this team is its increased presence in the paint with underclassmen such as Ta’Nitra Byrd, Toni Smith and Jacinta Vandenberg. “Ki-Ki is really good at attacking and we’ve got a lot of girls that are quite good at attacking,” Moult said. “But we’ve also got a lot of players who can shoot outside. I think we’ve now got a post presence. It balances out quite nicely. “We’ve got a new offensive system that is working really well for us.” Moore, an All-WAC first-team selection, led the team in scoring last season averaging 16.8 points per game. But, for Moore, “It’s not just about Rosie and I; it’s about everyone this year. And everyone trying to score and get on the board.” Offensively, first-year coach Raegan Pebley said Fresno State is going to strive for balanced scoring where the ideal mark is “four players in double figures every game.” Moult and Farley were picked by the team to be captains for the season. “I’ve got three years of experience, so it’s easy to teach the newcomers what they need to know. We’ve got a good group of girls who are easy to teach and they listen,” Moult said. Moult and center Jeanna Furst are the lone seniors on the team. Moult has started in 62 games coming into her final season as a Bulldog. “I really believe that being a captain’s about your ability to influence and using that influence as a leader to move the team closer to achieving our goals,” Pebley said. “I think they picked two great people that have the ability to lead, that represent a lot of the character and the identity that we want Fresno State athletics and our program to represent.” Fresno State will host Grambling State on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs begin their inaugural season in the Mountain West on Jan. 9 of next year at San Diego State.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2012
THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS SPORTS EDITOR, LUKE SHAFFER • COLLEGIAN-SPORTS@CSUFRESNO.EDU
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Giddings ready to contribute By Jason Smithberg The Collegian
Whether it’s scoring points on offense or crashing the boards on defense, Fresno State freshman center/forward Tanner Giddings expects to be a big contributor to the 201213 Bulldogs men’s basketball team. Giddings, hails from Wi n d s o r H i g h S c h o o l i n Windsor, Calif., where he left as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,307 career points. He also earned South Coast League Most Valuable Player honors and he led Windsor to the SCL championship and a 28-7 record in his senior season. Giddings wasn’t heavily recruited by other major colle ge pro g rams despite his accomplishments in high school. But when Fresno State head coach Rodney Ter ry paid him a visit, Giddings was impressed with what he heard. “They showed a lot of interest in me,” said Giddings. “I wanted to go to a school that wanted me to be there.” And now, Giddings brings his athletic credentials to Fresno State, where he is hoping to play an integral part in Terry’s system, any way he can. “He’s looking for me to work
“H
e’s looking for me to work hard on defense and guard the basket a lot. He trusts me well enough to draw up plays for me.” — Tanner Giddings, Freshman center/forward
“H
e has a lot of good ideas to make the team better. All his stuff works well for us when we execute it right.” — Rodney Terry, Head coach hard on defense and guard the basket a lot,” said Giddings. “He trusts me well enough to draw up plays for me.” In Fresno State’s preseason exhibition ag ainst Fresno Pacific, Giddings put some of his abilities on display by pulling down 10 rebounds and contributing on the offensive end with four points. And against Texas last Friday, he showed some low-post presence by blocking three shots. So far, Giddings has been impressed with what Terry is trying to do at Fresno State. “He has a lot of good ideas to make the team better,” Giddings said. “All his stuff works well for us when we execute it right.” And if things are executed right, and all the cylinders are firing, Giddings likes the direction the team is going, and he feels excited about the kind of team they are. He feels the team is not merely one-dimensional, but capable of playing both defense and offense well. “We can score when we need to, and we can also defend when the time calls for it,” he said. “We’ve worked really hard on both offense and defense.” Opening the 2012-13 season, Giddings and the Bulldogs have shown what they are capable of, but just like any good team, they’ll always have
Roe Borunda/ The Collegian
Freshman center/foward Tanner Giddings paces down the court during the Red & White Hoops night team scrimmage on Oct. 23. Tanner will look to contribute to the team in rebounds with freshman Robert Upshaw out with an injury.
room to improve. For Giddings, he tries to emulate the playing styles of NBA players Kevin Garnett and Amar’e Stoudemire, two players he admires, who know a little bit about all-purpose, dominant, big-man play. “I always said I wanted to play like Kevin Garnett and Amar’e Stoudemire,” said Giddings. “I feel like I can develop my g ame to their level.” Despite his own personal expectations, Giddings said he doesn’t feel any pressure to be
a dominant big man in Terry’s system. As long as he works hard and continues to contribute in ways that help the team win, then he is satisfied. Giddings has thought about playing in the NBA. Since college players are allowed to declare for the NBA draft after their sophomore seasons, Giddings could turn pro if he wanted to. But only if he feels he’s ready. “I would say I need a few more years to pre pare for that,” he said. “If I felt I was at a high level of play, then maybe
sooner.” Giddings expects big things from the Bulldogs this year, and he thinks they’re capable of big things. But just how big? “I think we can be better than what people think of us as,” he said. “It all depends on how well the team works together on the court.” If it all does work out, then Giddings figures to be a part of that success. That’s what contributors do. They help the team win, any way they can.
Johnson looks to round out his overall game By Haley Lambert The Collegian
His first year as a Bulldog, Tyler Johnson was known for his leaping dunks. After that season, he went out of his way to display prowess in other basketball feats. “I can score, but I also like to
pass and set other people up to score. I think that’s just one of my strong suits,” Johnson said. Today, he considers himself a facilitator. He likes making assists. On defense, he enjoys guarding the ball and making steals. As a communications major, Johnson has strengthened his
speaking ability but also his observation of nonverbal cues — which can be very helpful on the court. For this reason, he sees a future in coaching. He spoke about how important it is to know the specific communication style of teammates. As a point guard, Johnson has been on the court repre-
senting Fresno State for three years. Standing 6 feet, 2 inches, last season Johnson had an average of 9.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Johnson graduated from the South Bay’s Saint Francis High School. Although he had offers from other Western Athletic Conference schools including Hawaii and Utah State, Johnson chose Fresno so his mom could see him play. As an Air Force flight management technician she often travels the globe. Johnson’s staying so close to their home in the Bay Area gives her the chance to watch him play when she is home on leave. His freshman year, Johnson was not a starter. The next year, his sophomore season, he started almost half the games. Today, he starts every game and has some tentative plans
“I
can score, but I also like to pass and set other people up to score. i think that’s just one of my strong suits.” Michael Price / The Collegian
Tyler Johnson shakes off a Sunbird defender during the ’Dogs 77-68 win on Nov. 2. at the Save Mart Center. Last season, Johnson averaged .315 in 3-point field goals made and tallied 73 total.
— Tyler Johnson, Junior guard
“I
still have to more solid years to improve myself and put myself in that position.” — Tyler Johnson, Junior guard for going even further with basketball. “Most every college basketball player, I would assume, is wanting to continue to play at the next level,” Johnson said. He concedes he has some improvements to make if he wants to move to the professional level. “I still have two more solid years to improve myself and put myself in that position,” Johnson said. The team is able to practice throughout the summer, but he still goes out of his way to keep fit during the off-season. And what does he do besides schoolwork and basketball? “I definitely like to cook. I just lear ned from my mom. She was gone a lot of the time so I was having to take care of myself and my other siblings. I had to learn how to cook, but I ended up liking it,” Johnson said.
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SPORTS EDITOR, LUKE SHAFFER • COLLEGIAN-SPORTS@CSUFRESNO.EDU
“I’m not the tallest guy on the court, but I have a great work ethic athletically.” − Allen Huddleston, Junior guard
Huddleston aims to have breakout season By Luke Shaffer The Collegian After playing two games – one exhibition and one away game – Fresno State realizes that it has a skillful player in junior guard Allen Huddleston. Able to score anywhere on the court and distribute the ball, Huddleston will be heavily relied on to lead the team with not only his game but his leadership, as well. “We need him to be a leader for us on the floor as a point guard. He came to us as a scorer, but he’s worked real hard on his ballhandling skills. He’s a guy that can be a dual threat for us,” head coach Rodney Terry said. Huddleston, who was born in Merced, Calif, went to Merced High School and r e m e m b e r s b e a t i n g r iv a l school Golden Valley. “My most memorable moment playing basketball in high school would have to be scoring 48 points against Gold en Val l ey du r i n g my senior year, which is our rival school. It was a really big game for us.” Huddleston said. Originally starting college at University of the Pacific, Huddleston played his first two years as a shooting guard for the Tigers. Deciding to transfer, Huddleston examined his choices while he was scouted by recruiters and decided that
“W
e need him to be a leader for us on the floor as a point guard.” — Rodney Terry, Head coach
“W
e have three or four other guys who can go out and score 20 points on any given day.” — Allen Huddleston, Junior guard he wanted to stay as close to Merced as possible. Although, Huddleston had scholarship offers from University of California and Boston College, the prospect of staying home was what mainly influenced him. Fresno State appeared as another option, and Huddleston chose to play with the ’Dogs. “I was supposed to go to Cal after being at Pacific, but Boston College offered me a scholarship. However, ideally, I wanted to stay as close to home as possible. So it was a nobrainer going here over Boston College,” Huddleston said. Coming to Fresno State, Huddleston along with the rest of his teammates, had to undergo rigorous boot camp training over the past summer. This helped Huddleston and other teammates build strong relationships and prepare them for the long basketball season that goes from November to March. “During boot camp, getting up to run at five in the morning really wasn’t that tough. It was really to start building that team chemistry with one another,” Huddleston said. “That boot camp was tough, but if we’re playing Texas and we have four minutes left in the game, the difficulty we had to go though before the season is really going to help.” The transition to the
Bulldogs’ defensive game that Terry emphasizes has been a smooth process as defense is a strong point in Huddleston’s game. “I’m not the tallest guy on the court, but I have a great work ethic athletically. And I can guard offensive players and chase them around,” Huddleston said. However, the primary role that Huddleston brings to the team is his scoring. With senior shooting guard Kevin Olekaibe and center Robert Upshaw (currently out due to injury), Huddleston can bring another offensive force. The question is whether or not Huddleston can continue to score as a point guard
instead of a shooting guard. Huddleston remains confident as he knows that distributing the ball will come to him sooner rather than later. “This is my first year playing point guard at the collegiate level. I played point guard in high school, but the best thing I do is shoot the basketball,” Huddleston said. Huddleston knows that he will not have to do all the scoring on his own as Fresno State has Olekaibe and freshman guard Marvelle Harris to help carry the load. “We have three or four other guys who can go out and score 20 points on any given day,” Huddleston said. Wi t h o n e g a m e p l aye d
(against Texas), Huddleston and the team seem to be meshing quite well. Although, the Bulldogs lost to the Longhorns, the game was closely played ending 55-53 in regulation. Yet, both Huddleston and Terry know that the team has more to improve on as the season progresses. And both men are quite hopeful. “He can score the basketball and initiate all phases by facilitating passes. And I think he can be able to make our team better,” Terry said. H u d d l e s t o n a d d e d , “ We know where we want to be at this point. But, it’s better to be playing at full speed in February and March than October and November.”
Michael Price / The Collegian
Scoring 19 points on 8-for-13 shooting, Allen Huddleston stares down a Sunbird defender as the ’Dogs defeated Fresno Pacific University on Nov. 2 at the Save Mart Center. Huddleston also had a team-high eight assists.