Parsing The WAC: Daniel Lyght looks at Fresno State basketball

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Daniel Lyght looks at Fresno State basketball

Here's a solid and informative look at Fresno State men's basketball 2008-2009 and beyond. Some Bulldog fans want Steve Cleveland gone, other are advising patience. We'll offer our un-asked-for two cents: look at the freshman class playing right now and then add in the four incoming 2009-2010 frosh. Fresno State men's basketball will soon be competitive again in the WAC plus with the benefit of a solid foundation from which to build even further. Additionally, the academic basketcase of a mess that Cleveland inherited is clearing up. There might still be a blip or two but kids are graduating...finally.

Revival a rough ride for Bulldogs hoops team
Cleveland still sees much promise in his freshman-reliant roster.
Daniel Lyght
The Fresno Bee
February 6, 2009

Steve Cleveland returned to Fresno four years ago with hopes of establishing a foundation for the Fresno State men's basketball program using high school recruits, rather than relying on college transfers.

He always said it would be a lengthy process, and this season has been a toilsome journey.

Four freshmen own starting roles and progress has been more about plains and valleys than any peaks.

Wins certainly aren't coming at the clip Cleveland would like, but intermittent improvement hints at long-term success.

The Bulldogs played Western Athletic Conference leader Utah State closely in two losses, perhaps this season's high-water marks. But then the Bulldogs traveled to Hawaii Thursday and it appeared as if they forgot how to play, scoring 10 first-half points and shooting 27% from the field for the game.

Cleveland has, at times in this transitional season, buried his face in his palms, pleaded with players to make smarter plays and patted their arms in comfort while addressing the latest freshman mistake...

Go here for the remainder.

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Testimonials

craw’s corner

08/25/2011: Want to also thank Kevin, who writes what I consider to be next to my blog, (just kidding), the best college basketball blog in the country and trust me, I read them all, http://parsingthewac.blogspot.com, it is always fresh and always important info, plus Kevin has often referenced my blog and it is not forgotten and greatly appreciated. Too many bloggers think their you know what does not stink and are not willing to recognize other people. So thank you Kevin and keep up the awesome work.

A Closer Look at Latech Hoops>

02/25/2009: Nevada paper rates WAC players: "Once again I must give credit where it is due – I pulled these articles off of Parsing the WAC,...an almost daily updated blog run by Kevin McCarthy. It is the authority on all things WAC men’s basketball. If there is a feature or game story put out about one of the schools in the league he will have a link to it (and a corresponding editorial comment). It is one of the first places I go on the Internet each day. We are very lucky to have a fan in this a midmajor league willing to put the time and energy in bring all this great information to all of us. Thanks Kevin."

Silver and Blue Sports

02/17/09 12:24 AM: re: Tyrone Hanson...Stuck in Seattle said: "Hey, Nevada Proud. Chris Murrey snatched up your Hanson scoop without so much as a hat tip, but Parsing the WAC has put your name up in lights...Kevin McCarthy...Parsing the WAC...he was probably the one guy awake in the “Ethics of Journalism” class...or maybe he decided to skip class the day the “There is no ethics in Jouranalism” lecture was given...either way he’s a credible guy."
02/17/09 1:49 AM: "Kevin M. is a good buddy of mine, and a class act all the way. I’m really proud of him for doing the things he’s done, because SJSU has been real hard to work with from a media standpoint despite what his recruiting coverage work could offer the hoops program."

02/12/09 10:58 AM: In the WAC, defense is king: "Kevin McCarthy has an insightful look at team defense in the WAC over at Parsing the WAC, and conference results so far are playing out his prediction: the team that gets the most stops, gets the most wins...Taking a game-by-game look at the Vandals’ conference season proves Kevin’s point. In all four of Idaho’s WAC wins, the team held opponents under .400 shooting."

The Bulldog Bounce

02/06/09 10:26 PM: High praise for incoming hoops recruits..."Ran across some nice nuggets of info on the Parsing the WAC blog, which I must say is a very active and informative one. Kevin McCarthy talks Fresno State quite a bit in it, which is cool with me...So let’s get to the point...McCarthy talked ’Dogs recruiting with Carl Foster, who’s been around a few of the soon-to-be Fresno State players, and he had some pretty impressive things to say."

11/04/08 1:10PM: "Parsing the WAC is a great blog for news on West Coast Hoops. Thanks to Kevin McCarthy, who does a fine job there himself. If you are a fan of a WAC school or just want to keep up with players with local interest like Adrian Oliver at SJS, the Seattle kids at Nevada, or NW schools like BSU and Idaho, this is the place to be."

BleedCrimson.net

12/05/08: The Daily Aggie: "The weekly check-ins are co-authored by us and Kevin McCarthy from the outstanding WAC blog Parsing The WAC."

Reno Gazette Journal

11/01/08: LOUISIANA TECH UPDATE: "Kevin McCarthy over at Parsing the WAC, an excellent source of WAC basketball news, was contacted by somebody familiar with the recent departure of four Louisiana Tech basketball players (which we touched on last week). For those who don't know, Drew Washington, Dwayne Lathan, Orrim Tims and Brandon Mims were dismissed after meeting with coach Kerry Rupp two weeks ago. Lathan said he was blindsided by the decision. McCarthy’s source, who remained anonymous, said there was more to the story than met the eye."