Fresno State 6th in Mountain West basketball poll; Orlando Robinson is all-conference pick

Fresno State was picked to finish sixth in the Mountain West Conference in a preseason media poll, which is nothing new. But the Bulldogs seemingly every basketball season have exceeded expectations and they have the pieces in place to do it again starting with Orlando Robinson, who was selected to the preseason all-conference team and is stronger and more physical after declaring early for the NBA Draft and going through workouts with a number of teams.

“He’s really got into the weight room,” coach Justin Hutson said. “He has done a good job there, trying to get his body right, to get stronger, lower body and upper body, and he has worked on his jump shot.

“Nobody works harder than Orlando and nobody really cares more. He has really invested in himself and the team, and he’s a pleasure to coach because you never have to coach effort with Orlando.”

Robinson also is not the only returning player for Hutson, with point guard Isaiah Hill, forward Anthony Holland and guards Deon Stroud, Junior Ballard and Jordan Campbell back.

The Bulldogs, who have finished fourth or higher in the Mountain West in four of the past six seasons, also have transfer guard Jemarl Baker (Kentucky and Arizona). Baker is a senior with two seasons of eligibility remaining and expected to play in a starting role, after averaging 12.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists last season at Arizona.

“I’m excited to have returners,” Hutson said. “It hasn’t happened too much in my short tenure here. I’m excited to see some familiar faces and have some experience out on the floor.

“We talk about it as a staff. When you’re on the practice floor you’re always pushing to get better and you’re constantly doing that and we have young men that want to push to get better and we have coaches pushing them to get better. But when you go back and watch the film you’re saying, ‘We are better.’ You’re excited about that. Now, whether that’s going to be enough, it remains to be seen, but we’re excited for the season.”

Colorado State, which received 11 of 20 first-place votes in the poll and 207 points, was picked to win the Mountain West. San Diego State, with seven first-place votes and 201 points, was second followed by Nevada (2, and 189), Boise State (147) and Utah State (127).

The Bulldogs (119) were picked sixth with UNLV (109), New Mexico (79), Wyoming (79), San Jose State (40) and Air Force (23) seventh through 11th.

Robinson was joined on the preseason all-conference team by forward David Roddy (Colorado State), guard Isaiah Stevens (Colorado State), guard Grant Sherfield (Nevada) and guard Bryce Hamilton (UNLV).

Sherfield was selected as the preseason player of the year in the Mountain West with San Diego State guard Matt Bradley the newcomer of the year and UNLV guard Keshon Gilbert the freshman of the year.

Fresno State has an exhibition against Stanislaus State on Nov. 3 at the Save Mart Center and opens the season with home games against Fresno Pacific on Nov. 9, Long Island on Nov. 12 and Idaho on Nov. 15.