Fresno State hosts Colorado State in pivotal Mountain West matchup

Fresno State men's basketball returned to the Save Mart Center on Jan. 12 to host Colorado State in Game 17 of the season, a matchup that put a rebuilding Bulldogs squad under the spotlight as Mountain West play reached the midseason stretch. Tipoff was set for 6 p.m. PT, with broadcast coverage available on the Mountain West Network and live stats links provided for fans tracking the action.

Entering the contest, Fresno State stood at 7-9 overall and 1-4 in conference play. Colorado State came in at 11-5 and 2-3 in Mountain West games, a team with notable wins already in conference competition. The Bulldogs were coming off a tough road loss at San Diego State, carrying the weight of that result back to a home crowd hoping for a response.

Institutionally, the program is in transition. Head coach Vance Walberg is in his second season, navigating a roster that features heavy turnover: only four returners from the previous year remain on the squad. That makeup creates a short-term competitiveness challenge while shaping long-term recruiting and development strategies at a mid-major program that relies on sustained community support.

The matchup carried historical resonance. It marked the 48th meeting between Fresno State and Colorado State, with the Rams leading the all-time series. Notably, Fresno State has held a positive record at home against Colorado State, a fact likely to figure into fan expectations and coaching preparation heading into the Save Mart Center contest.

For Fresno County residents, the game matters beyond wins and losses. Home dates at the Save Mart Center drive economic activity for downtown, provide student and alumni engagement opportunities, and serve as a visible indicator of how the university balances athletics with institutional goals. A team with many newcomers can affect attendance patterns and season-ticket renewals; it also shapes how the athletic department allocates resources toward player development, staffing, and community outreach.

The Bulldogs’ team release supplied game coverage details, a short recap of the previous game, player and coaching notes, and historical context about the series, all intended to help fans and stakeholders interpret what the matchup signified in the broader arc of the season. Media availability on the Mountain West Network and live stat streams gave local supporters multiple ways to follow the game even if they could not attend in person.

Our two cents? If you care about local college sports as a civic institution, track how the program supports player development and community engagement this season—show up when you can, or tune in via Mountain West Network and the live stats feed so your support sends a clear signal to the university that Fresno values competitive teams built for the long haul.