An update on the Dwight O'Neill situation

Dwight O'Neil is a big and physical backcourter, a load for most opponents. He hasn't shot particularly well this season and has been positioned at the point more often than he should be. The Bulldogs don't have a similarly skilled player on the roster but in a losing season the squad has beaten Louisiana Tech handily and just gave Utah State a mighty scare, minus O'Neill's services.

Is it a matter of certain Fresno State players gearing up knowing more must come from them since O'Neill is absent? Is it just a freak thing? Do the Bulldogs actually function better without him? We don't know but we're sure curious.

Here's O'Neill's take on his run-in with the law, followed by an overview of Steve Cleveland's program.

O'Neil suspended, offers apology
Still jailed, Bulldogs guard admits mistakes but says police seem to target him.
Daniel Lyght
The Fresno Bee
February 1, 2009

Fresno State basketball player Dwight O'Neil says he isn't a saint, but he wants the public to know he's not the devil, either.

The Bulldogs' senior guard, suspended indefinitely from the team Saturday for "violation of athletic department policy," remains in jail after he was arrested late Thursday on warrants for driving on a suspended or revoked license.

"To everyone who supports and everybody who watches, I apologize for minimal mistakes that seem so big and shine a bad light on our basketball program," O'Neil said by phone from Fresno County Jail.

"I'm not a bad person. I'm not the greatest person at keeping all my things in line. I apologize to the whole community for them to have to turn on the news or open the paper and see my face for something like this. I have to deal with it..."

Go here for the remainder.

Here's a Fresno Bee columnist with a take on the Bulldog basketball program.

Growth agonizing for Cleveland and team
Matt James
Fresno Bee
February 1, 2009

They finally got a break, and it ended up being their hearts. Again.

Is it progress when the losses get more agonizing? Is it a positive when the degree of almost gets thinner?

"It was a game of extreme highs and lows," said Fresno State coach Steve Cleveland...

Go here for the remainder.