The Fresno State men's basketball program continues to make strides under third year coach Rodney Terry, hitting another pinnacle Monday night.
After leading the Bulldogs (18-16, 9-9) to their first winning season in seven years, he now is responsible for the program's first postseason game at the Save Mart Center as Princeton comes to town for the quarterfinals of the College Basketball Invitational.
It's the first time in 16 years and fifth time overall Fresno State has reached the quarterfinals of a postseason tournament ? in 1998 the Bulldogs reached the NIT quarterfinals.
The Tigers (21-8) will be no easy opponent for Fresno State.
Princeton ? led by All-Ivy League guard T.J. Bray, who is averaging 18 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game while making 55% of his shots from the field ? finished tied for third in the conference at 8-6.
While the Princeton-style offense is unique ? it emphasizes constant motion and passing ? the Bulldogs do have some familiarity with it.
Air Force uses a similar system, though Terry says it's not identical.
"They're (Air Force) more of a physical team, driving and rebounding. Princeton shoots the ball really well and aren't as physical," he said after Sunday afternoon's practice at the Save Mart Center.
"Princeton is a really good shooting team. They shoot 3s and they do well in transition. This game will be perimeter-oriented. We're going to have to come off and play. All five of their spots can score. It's not a time you can take a play off, drift off the guy or have your hands down. They can all shoot the basketball."
The Tigers' 6-foot-10 forward Will Barrett is one of those threats, making at least four 3s in seven games this season to go with Hans Brase, the team's second-leading scorer with 11 ppg. Brase led the Tigers with 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting in their 56-55 first-round win at Tulane.
In the NCAA RPI, the teams are nearly the same ? Fresno State is ranked No. 117, though it went 10-3 over its past 13 games with two of those losses to No. 13 San Diego State and to No. 20 New Mexico in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West Conference Tournament.
Princeton is ranked No. 122 and has won six straight. Its last loss came on Feb. 22 to Ivy League champion and NCAA Tournament team Harvard.
Fresno State has been hot on the road lately, winning five of its past six games away from the Save Mart Center. But with an 11-5 record at home, the Bulldogs hope to carry that momentum from the road into a big night in front of their fans.
"We feel like we can lace them up anywhere and be ready to play. We went into some tough places and got some wins, and UTEP only showed how much this team has grown," said senior Tyler Johnson, who gets another chance to ball on his home court.
"A lot of teams are done playing and we're fortunate to play another home game. We're using that as motivation."
After leading the Bulldogs (18-16, 9-9) to their first winning season in seven years, he now is responsible for the program's first postseason game at the Save Mart Center as Princeton comes to town for the quarterfinals of the College Basketball Invitational.
It's the first time in 16 years and fifth time overall Fresno State has reached the quarterfinals of a postseason tournament ? in 1998 the Bulldogs reached the NIT quarterfinals.
The Tigers (21-8) will be no easy opponent for Fresno State.
Princeton ? led by All-Ivy League guard T.J. Bray, who is averaging 18 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game while making 55% of his shots from the field ? finished tied for third in the conference at 8-6.
While the Princeton-style offense is unique ? it emphasizes constant motion and passing ? the Bulldogs do have some familiarity with it.
Air Force uses a similar system, though Terry says it's not identical.
"They're (Air Force) more of a physical team, driving and rebounding. Princeton shoots the ball really well and aren't as physical," he said after Sunday afternoon's practice at the Save Mart Center.
"Princeton is a really good shooting team. They shoot 3s and they do well in transition. This game will be perimeter-oriented. We're going to have to come off and play. All five of their spots can score. It's not a time you can take a play off, drift off the guy or have your hands down. They can all shoot the basketball."
The Tigers' 6-foot-10 forward Will Barrett is one of those threats, making at least four 3s in seven games this season to go with Hans Brase, the team's second-leading scorer with 11 ppg. Brase led the Tigers with 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting in their 56-55 first-round win at Tulane.
In the NCAA RPI, the teams are nearly the same ? Fresno State is ranked No. 117, though it went 10-3 over its past 13 games with two of those losses to No. 13 San Diego State and to No. 20 New Mexico in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West Conference Tournament.
Princeton is ranked No. 122 and has won six straight. Its last loss came on Feb. 22 to Ivy League champion and NCAA Tournament team Harvard.
Fresno State has been hot on the road lately, winning five of its past six games away from the Save Mart Center. But with an 11-5 record at home, the Bulldogs hope to carry that momentum from the road into a big night in front of their fans.
"We feel like we can lace them up anywhere and be ready to play. We went into some tough places and got some wins, and UTEP only showed how much this team has grown," said senior Tyler Johnson, who gets another chance to ball on his home court.
"A lot of teams are done playing and we're fortunate to play another home game. We're using that as motivation."
