2022 Basketball Classic: Eastern Washington Vs Fresno State Preview, How To Watch & More
Fresno State gets to keep playing.
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Post season play!!
Who: Eastern Washington (18-15) Vs Fresno State (19-13)
When: Thursday, March 17th, 7:00 p.m. PT
Where: Fresno, CA
TV: ESPN+
Odds: Fresno State -13
Series Record: Fresno State leads 2-1
The Fresno State Bulldogs missed out on the NIT after losing to the San Diego State Aztecs in the Mountain West Tournament. The Bulldogs did get an invite to the Basketball Classic, a single elimination tournament. The Basketball Classic is a field of 32 teams but only 21 teams accepted the invite. Matchups are announced after each game. The tournament will go on until March 31st which is the day of the championship game.
Keys to the Game: Eastern Washington
Eastern Washington is coming off a one point loss in the quarterfinals of the Big Sky tournament. A year after making the Ncaa tournament the Eagles finished this season 18-15 and was the 6th seed in the Big Sky Tournament. Now the Eagles look to make a run in the Basketball Classic. Freshman Guard Steele Venters leads the Eagles in scoring at 16.6ppg. Eastern Washington is a great offensive team averaging nearly 77.0 ppg and shooting 45% from the field. Offensively for the Eagles,
they have to limit the turnovers and hit shots behind the arc. The Eagles average eight threes a game and stretching the Bulldogs defensive will be a big key. Defensively Eastern Washington have struggled all year giving up 74.3ppg. Lucky for the Eagles the Bulldogs have struggled on offense lately but they will have their hands full with Orlando Robinson. If the Eagles want to leave the Save Mart Center with a win they have to play better defensively. That starts by limiting the inside shots and forcing the Bulldogs to shoot the ball. Fresno State shot 9-41 from three in the Mountain West Tournament.
Keys to the Game: Fresno State
The Bulldogs are disappointed after missing out in the NIT. But the Bulldogs got an opportunity to play postseason basketball. The question remains the same: will these be Orlando Robinson’s last games as a Bulldog? If they are, Orlando Robinson has a chance to go out as a champion. If the Bulldogs are looking to extend their season it will start on the offensive side of the ball.
The Bulldogs struggled offensively in the Mountain West Tournament. The Dogs have to make shots. Anthony Holland, one of the Bulldogs best three point shooters didn’t make a single three in the MW tournament. Eastern Washington isn’t a great defensive team so stretching out the offense will be huge for the Bulldogs, Especially if they want to control the inside and keep the double teams off Robinson.
Defensively for the Bulldogs, they have been great all season. Limiting the three point shots and slowing down the tempo will be a big key to success. The Eagles can shoot the ball and the Bulldogs can’t match that offensive firepower. The Bulldogs have to make the Eagles play inside and have to win the transition game.
Could this be Orlando Robinson’s last game at the Save Mart Center? Will Eastern Washington Offense be too much for the Bulldogs? Can Fresno State overcome its offensive struggles and a run in the Basketball Classic.
