A starter lost to grades, a starter lost most of the season to injury, a high-profile transfer kicked off the team and a lack of depth turned hopes of winning a conference championship into what amounted to a two-man show, a losing season and a lot of frustration for the Fresno State Bulldogs.

An NIT appearance in 2007 and an impressive 22 wins gave reason for optimism and the Bulldogs were picked in the preseason to finish fourth in the Western Athletic Conference by both the media and coaches, including one coach picking the Bulldogs to win the league crown.

But anything good the Bulldogs had going early in the season was lost when junior starter Dwight O'Neil fractured a wrist in November and sophomore guard Bryan Harvey, a transfer from Louisville, lost his eligibility in January due to grades. Kentucky transfer Rekalin Sims was booted off the team for allegedly violating the school's student-athlete code of conduct.

Still, the losing season doesn't seem to be a cause for concern for coach Steve Cleveland as he completes his third season.

"I know that my athletic director (Thomas Boeh) and the president (John Welty), who I've talked to, are supportive," Cleveland told the Fresno Bee. "...We've had long conversations about how we're going to do this, long term."

Even in a losing campaign, senior guards Kevin Bell and Eddie Miller gave Bulldogs fans plenty to cheer for.

Freshmen Nedeljko Golubovic and Brandon Webster showed glimpses they could be a potent frontcourt for several years ahead.

Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.