Fresno State bouncing off to the Bahamas. Are things looking up for Bulldogs?

Fresno State basketball is heading to the Bahamas this summer to sharpen its roster. Coach Vance Walberg is taking the Bulldogs on an eight-day trip featuring three exhibition games against local club teams. This tour provides the program with 10 extra practices, which is a major advantage for a team currently integrating 14 new players.

In previous years, NCAA rules restricted international tours to once every four years. An April rule change now permits these trips annually. Walberg intends to capitalize on this, noting that the combination of international games and additional practice time is necessary for a squad that has struggled over the past two seasons. The team finished 13-19 and 6-26 in recent campaigns, making this ramp-up period critical as they prepare for the Pac-12 Conference.

While the trip includes sightseeing and team bonding, the primary focus is player evaluation. Walberg needs to assess how the new roster performs on the court before the traditional fall schedule begins. He mentions that even with some European players missing due to visa delays, the time together away from campus is a significant asset for building cohesion.

Beyond the travel, the Bulldogs are also receiving a new floor at the Save Mart Center this year. While arena upgrades are helpful, the coaching staff sees the overseas competition as the true driver for improvement. With a completely revamped lineup, the Bulldogs are looking to establish a new identity through these early competitive sessions.

This trip marks the first time the program has gone abroad since a 2015 tour in Italy. By embracing the flexibility offered by current NCAA policies, Fresno State is prioritizing chemistry and on-court repetition. It is a strategic move to ensure the team is ready for the challenges of their upcoming conference schedule.