Good Sports: Fresno State Men's Basketball

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The more things change, the more they stay the same for the Fresno State men's basketball team. And the Bulldog coaching staff would have it no other way.

"We talked about a continued momentum from last season," Fresno State assistant coach Michael Schwartz said. "Really building on how we finished the season last year in conference play and post season. It's not something we've shied away from. It's something our guys have embraced."

Last year's run to the College Basketball Invitational Finals was the Bulldogs' first 20-win season since 2007. Coaches and players are proud of that finish, and even more excited about building on it.

"Bringing back the people we brought back it should be easier for us because we have people who can lead us," shooting guard Marvelle Harris said. "And me as one of the leaders, show the younger guys how we finished last year with what we did to turn around the program."

"Just how high this team ceiling is," power forward Braeden Anderson added. "I just think the potential this team has, not just saying that."

6'9" power forward Braeden Anderson watched his teammates reach new heights last season while rehabbing a neck injury sustained in a preseason car accident. Now that the Canadian is back on the court:

"Now obviously I'm a part of it," Braeden said." And I can take some of those tips I was given to other guys and use them myself."

Add in a transfer from the University of Texas in scoring guard Julien Lewis, and a strong returning group - including point guard Cezar Guerrero and guards Paul Watson and Harris, and the Bulldogs have plenty of firepower to compete in the tough Mountain West.

"As much experience as we have, there's also the element of we do have new players," Schwartz said. "And we do have impact players in Julius Lewis and Braeden. Both are extremely talented, both are extremely physical players. And they've done a hell of a job over their careers so far doing it every day and now it's exciting to see in games come Friday."

"We're going to be a complete team," Harris said. "We're going to be ready to play. We're going to be coming all season to every game. It's going to be exciting to watch us."

And they'll look to take another huge step forward this season.