'Dogs arrive in Denver for NCAA's, women prepare to host WNIT

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Fresno State Men's Basketball team arrived in Denver Tuesday afternoon. The Bulldogs (14-seed) are in Colorado to play Utah (3-seed) in the Midwest Region of the NCAA Tournament. Tip-off is Thursday at 4:27pm PST. Action News caught up with the 'Dogs on campus before they headed to Denver.

"Obviously, anytime you have postseason play right now, and you're playing on the main stage, really excited about the opportunity. But we've really tried to keep it as routine as possible and just kind of do what we've done over the last part of the season." Said Head Coach Rodney Terry.l

"As soon as we won the game, it was just like a bliss came over the team honestly. And it just came, so positive and everyone's just really happy at this moment." Added Bulldogs Center Terrell Carter.

"Everyone's focused, confident, they know we're not going on a field trip. We're not content on what we did. We want more and we want to win." Said Bulldogs Guard Marvelle Harris.

"The community is really behind us, like they come, I walked to the mall, I had people, random people I didn't even think watched basketball came up to me and said congratulations, congratulations and so, I mean I think it's just more of a positive thing. And it's starting to bring basketball back to the valley." Said Carter.

The Fresno State Women's Basketball team narrowly missed out on joining the men in the big dance. For the 2nd straight season, the Bulldogs will play in the Women's NIT. Fresno State will host Santa Clara in the first-round of the tournament. Tip-off is set for Friday at 7pm at Save Mart Center. 'Dogs lost to Mountain West Champion Colorado State 55-54. For many of the players, the loss still stings.

"Well, it's definitely a disappointment that we're not in the NCAA Tournament. Especially when we were so close to it. You know, I'm still not over it, but I think the only way to get over it is play again. So, looking forward to being in the WNIT. " Said Bulldogs Guard Alex Furr.

"Yeah, I mean the circumstances were not as we hoped. But, it's always fun to come back and play in front of fans and we got lucky having a home game. Especially on Friday and it's fun continuing to play basketball and having a postseason in general. It's good to kind of have the young ones and what they have to look forward to in their season. Just coming to back and continuing practicing with my girls and playing in front of the fans." Added Bulldogs Forward Toni Smith.

"I think everybody is still thinking about it. I mean it's hard to get over. But, it's our first day back at practice and first since then. So, I think today will be a big help to move forward." Added Furr.

"As a coach, you always want to do better. 2 wins would obviously make us better, but I said to the girls, you know, 2 wins is better. 4 wins gets us into the final four. 6 wins, wins the tournament. So, if you look at it that way, it's just kind of well, let's just keep playing and keep staying alive." Said Head Coach Jaime White.