Steve Cleveland came in after our 15-13 record in the 05-06 season. Last year made it look like we were going in a real good direction. After our first couple months of this year, though, I'm worried. Yes, it's early. However...
We've lost to CSU Bakersfield, Sam Houston State, and San Diego State. And then a lost to New Mexico State to top it off.
Also, in our 8 wins we've beaten Western Washington, Fresno Pacific (NAIA), Portland, Liberty, Montana state, Winston-Salem State, and Presbyterian. Oh, I can't forget those signature wins against Pacific and Louisiana Tech.
That's okay though. We have Steve Cleveland. He's the guy who's going to recruit players out of high school instead of jucos. And he's going to clean up our program. Hmm. We've already lost Rekalin Sims (a transfer) because he was dropped by the team after getting arrested. I'm disappointed in the development of Hector Hernandez and James Tchana. I was disappointed that Cleveland couldn't do anything to stop the crumbling of Ja'Vance Coleman.
Alright, I know it was tough luck to lose Dwight O'Neal to the broken wrist. And I know it hurt to lose Dominic McGwire. Again though, Cleveland chose to pick him up as a transfer from Cal. And when you pick up transfers, you're only going to get them for a year or two at the most.
I noticed that Cleveland picked up 4 freshman and a juco transfer during the winter signing period. That's definitely a good sign. But there is no way he lasts past next year if Fresno doesn't turn things around. That empty arena will be too much of a weight for Fresno to give him any more time than that.
You put the hammer on the nail dennis. Cleveland gone if he cant win the WAc this year. Was born in Fresno,Follow Fresno St, but never saw a empty arena. Could this be true with the best fans in college sports.
Due to some big losses in the WAC, I need to update my WAC standings.
1. Utah State - Good shooters and play very disciplined under Coach Morrill. They obviously replaced Nevada as the team to beat in the WAC. Key Player = Jaycee Carroll
2. New Mexico State - The team has turned things around and definitely are a powerhouse in the WAC. Key Player = Justin Hawkins & Fred Peete
3.Boise State - Tougher than what a lot of people thought (Especially Nevada) before the season. People underestimated their talent level. Key Player = Reggie Larry
4. Fresno State - A lot of talent on the court and starting to put together Cleveland's system. Key Player = Kevin Bell
T - 5. San Jose State - Made a major step up in the WAC by beating Nevada, plays a lot of close games. Key Player = Chris Oakes
T - 5. Nevada - Blocks only don't win you games. You need to actually score some points. This team has made a major step back in the WAC and Nationally. Key Players = It depends when they want to play.
7. Hawaii - Obviously, this is a rebuilding year or the first to many rebulding years to come. Key Player = Bobby Nash
8. Idaho - This team is turning the corner and gave NMSU and Nevada a hard time. Key Player = The whole team!
9. Louisiana Tech - The new coach is putting his peices together but it won't happen this year. Key Player = Kyle Gibson
Well, Steve Cleveland is definitely cleaning up the image. I honestly got tired of seeing thugs running the ball up and down. At least give Cleveland a chance to field a decent senior squad out there. He is a quiet and reserved coach. He is looking for players that play the game the same way. Recruiting isn't easy and he may be finding that out with his first senior class that HE recruited. With all kidding aside, I believe he still has his job and a good showing in the WAC tourney and a outside NIT will be enough for me this year for Cleveland.
He's cleaned up their image? If you mean the fact that they have NO image, then I guess I could agree with you. This team has no personality. They have no character. And that's translated into a very boring team to watch.
And I see where you're going concerning the difference between his players and the ones he inherrited. But he is in his 3rd year, and I don't see his fingerprint anywhere...at least in a positive way. I don't see the future getting any brighter either. I mean, next year we'll have Jordan Ambers, Nedeljko Golubovic, Myles Green, Dwight O'Neil, Sylvester Seay, James Tchana, and Brandon Webster returning. Golubovic is the only player from Cleveland that has shown any real potential.
So you can say what you want about waiting for Cleveland's first senior class to come up, but where is he going to get it from? If he wants to have any chance of succeeding soon, he's going to need JC transfers...which is what he said he wouldn't be doing.
Kevin Bell has been a monster. But he was here before Cleveland.
Eddie Miller was a great pick up. But he's still only a JC transfer that will be gone after only having played 2 seasons.
Bryan Harvey? Yeah, nice job with that one. Way to "clean up" our image.
Shawn Taylor? See above.
Dwight O'Neal? This guy had a tremendous last few weeks in the 05-06 year. It was stupid to redshirt him last year. Cleveland totally stunted his development.
How about Tyson Parker. Did you know this kid averaged 39% from 3pt range at Fresno City? Cleveland has him looking like a fumbling mess this year.
At their last game I saw Hector Hernandez score 2 points and commit 3 fouls. Cleveland has totally let his potential wash down the toilet. It's sad to watch Hernandez play like a shell of what he was last year.
I won't even start with Alex Blair and Brandon Webster. On a decent team, these two wouldn't see playing time until a game was already decided and you didn't want your valuable players to get hurt.
I know image is important. The mistake of past regimes were embarrassing. But Cleveland's job is still to field a competitive basketball team. And he isn't doing his job.
I agree to everything but Steve Cleveland losing his job...he needs time just like every other good coach....he struggled at byu his first 2 years but turned that program around...what he needs to do is recruit from the valley and accept J.C. transfers......C.O.S. and Fresno City have great players... Even West Hills and Reedley have talented players that can play at the D 1 level that V that is on your uniforms doesn't stand for victory...there is talent here and we need to use it....and come on folks give Cleveland a chance to get these kids in sync they say it takes 3-4 years to build a program let see what he does next year.....
I am not a big basketball fan, and am struggling this season to follow the 'Dawgs (I don't live in the Fresno market). I actually used to attend games shortly after the Tarkanian hire, and prior to that, in the days of Boyd Grant, the 'Dawgs were to be feared and Selland was always sold out; it was impossible to get tickets. Rod Higgins, Ron Anderson, and others were contibuting players in the NBA. Ray Lopes looked to be a good replacement, but sold himself out. When they hired Cleveland, I was furious. It looked to me like Dean Welty wanted to hire a local boy and keep things Valley friendly, instead of trying to build a nationally respected program. They can try to relive the glory of the 1983 NIT title all they want, but the truth is, the Fresno State basketball program has suffered mightily at the poor recruiting and poor coaching. Getting Trakanian put the 'Dawgs back on the national stage, and they actually had big dance interest and even won a game to get to the 64... but cheaters, thieves and common thugs lined the benches because of Tarkanian's 2nd chance big heart. The 'Dawgs went from a respectful mid-major to a doormat. Lopes was a great coach, but an idiot of a human being and Cleveland will never progress beyond success at a JC level. He's not a name, he's not a coach, he's not a recruiter and the fans and loyal supporters built him the luxurious Save Mart Center to put a craptastic team on display. Get rid of Cleveland and spend the bucks to hire a proven winner and a name! Put the 'Dawgs back on a national stage. Bring respect in basketball to the WAC (it's never had that before). Fill the Save Mart for the right reasons. I want to see a WAC team ranked and get Ws in the tourney!
The 2008 men's Fresno state bulldogs overall record is 13-18 and their wac record is 5-11. That's pathetic! The record says speaks louder than words. If this were a business in the corporate world the losing record means the team is in the red!! Time to make a change!
Cleveland is a good guy yes,... But he is just not getting the job done. He has had 3 years already and we are back to square one. We lost 11 games in the WAC this year!! that's a joke!! It's not like Duke, Georgetown or UCLA are in the wac!! The WAC is a weak league and we can even compete in our league!!
It's time to make a change. It's perfect timing. Vance Walberg is available!! That guy can coach and mold a team. Cleveland does not know how to do that!
Thanks for the try coach Cleveland. You had your chance now give someone else a chance! Only reason Walberg is not coaching pepperdine is because of lack of support by the administration. At Fresno State he would have that! He would be a perfect fit!!
It is a very tough position that Fresno State is in. On the one hand Cleveland isn't getting it done, on the other hand there isn't a big time coach out there that would want to come here. Walberg is awesome I played for him, but if you look at what he did in Malibu with pepperdine he hasn't shown the ability to be a D1 coach yet. However, Fresno needs to make a change because we arent going any where, and lets be honest we havent had a squeeky clean team since Cleveland took over either. ex. sims, coleman, harvey. Clean teams dont lose players in the middle of the year for any reason. But the hard part is who are we going to get that will come in and make a big change.
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Just like I thought! The Fresno State men's basketball is one and done in the WAC tournament. They lost to Nevada so they are out now! Steve Cleveland has proven he is accomplishing nothing. He can't even get past the first round of the WAC tournament!
Walberg was on the Jerry Tarkanian radio show a couple of weeks ago and Tark pointed that it didnt work at pepperdine because the Administration didn't back and support Walberg's ideas. At Fresno state it would be different. He would have the backing of the admin just like he did at FCC.
It's time to get the petitions out for a new coach. We deserve a coach than can get a job done not one that just calls every loss a tough loss. So then how many tough losses would that make this year??? Way too many tough losses are not tough losses!!.it just means a team sucks!! Hello! We sucked!! this year!! It's embarrasing to be a men's fresno state baskeball fan!! Wiggins has led the women to a title and in less time then Cleveland has been the coach.
While every other school is dancing this March the Dogs are busy making excuses for their next loss. How do they call this first round loss in the WAC tournament a tough loss? It's not a tough loss. I already knew they were going to lose! It wasnt a tough loss. It was an expected loss!! i'm a red waver for life! The dogs are my team in all sports! But I know when it's time for change! Now its time!!
I'm so done going to men's basketball games untill they get a coach that gets the job done.
The Fresno State football and Softball teams are true role model teams!! They have a commitment to excellence!! Every record and accolade they are garnering are wiped clean and being tarnished by the mediocrity of the basketball team.
