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The Nevafa Wolf Pack are coming off a big win over rival UNLV add will host the Fresno State Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon in the Lawlor Events Center at 3:00 p.m. PT.
The win over UNLV gave the Wolf Pack their fourth win in a row after losing eight straight games, and now face a Bulldogs team who have won three of their last four games and have defeated the Wolf Pack twice in the last three meetings between the two schools.
Wolf Pack head coach David Carter and the Wolf Pack players are moving on from the UNLV win and focusing on Fresno State. "I think we've forgotten about that game and moved forward."
Carter also mention that a loss at home would render the big victory on the road meaningless." We just won a big road game and if we come home and lose this one, that road win doesn't matter".
The Bulldogs, like the Wolf Pack, have started conference play impressively as they already defeated San Diego State last Friday and defeated Utah State on Wednesday.
The Bulldogs use a four guard lineup that has played very well despite missing All-Mountain West guard Cezar Guerrero all season for academic issues. Marvelle Harris is the leading scorer for the Bulldogs and the second leading scorer in the Mountain West averaging 17 points per game.
Harris is helped by Texas transfer Julien Lewis (12.7ppg) and Paul Watson (11.3 ppg). For Nevada to prevail over Fresno State it must defend the perimeter and stop their dribble drive penetration and if that fails, Wolf Pack forward AJ West must defend the rim.
AJ West has been a big reason for the Wolf Pack's success in these last four games. He is averaging 15 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks during the current winning streak and has three double doubles in the last four games and should have another big game against a Bulldogs team that struggles defending the paint.
Nevada has a opportunity to start league play 3-0 but must put the victory over UNLV behind them and attempt to contain the Bulldogs four guard attack. If they succeed and if AJ West is dominant in the paint, a fifth straight win for Nevada could happen.