Fresno State Men’s Basketball Roller-Coaster of a Season

By: Tyler Van Dyke

The Fresno State Men’s Basketball team has had quite the roller-coaster of a season so far, battling injuries and close losses throughout the year. The Bulldogs had to battle through adversity when they lost key players to their lineup and dropped off in scoring production because of it. The team needed someone to step up and instead they got three.

Fresno State guard Anthony Holland was one of three players to embrace this challenge.

“When we lost such big pieces to our team, everybody had to step up in a very big way, and I felt like I had to step up and help my team out the best way I can,” Holland said.

Holland said he felt like he needed to produce and score more for the Bulldogs because he had a stretch of four games where he averaged almost 15 points per game back in January.

Brazilian native Leo Colimerio was the second player to step up for the Dogs. A sophomore this year, Colimerio has been adjusting to an increased role and that has led to more energy and rebounding for the team.

“I know I am not going to score 30 points, but I just feel like I bring more energy, and that’s my role on the team,” Colimerio said. “Overall the thing I improved on the most was rebounds.”

Colimerio’s energy and tenacity on the boards show when watching him on the court.

The last to step up was the “Big Man” himself, Orlando Robinson. Robinson is touted as one of the best overall college basketball players in the country. Landing himself on several national player of the year award lists, Robinson is the leading scorer for the Bulldogs averaging 19 points per game this season.

For Robinson, it is not about his personal accolades. It is about the success of the team.

“All those accolades and personal achievements are very important, but winning basketball games with my team is the top priority,” Robinson said. “So I recognize them, and I just continue to move forward with my team and continue to do what we do.”

Robinson is a potential future NBA draft prospect in the making.

Having dealt with the adversity of a roller-coaster season, the Bulldogs have managed to persevere to be the sixth-best team in the Mountain West Conference. With rising stars like Holland, Colimerio, and Robinson, the Bulldogs look to make a statement in the Mountain West tournament and end the season on a high note.