To have fun SLAM’s thirtieth anniversary, we’re spotlighting the 30 most influential males’s school groups from our previous 30 years. Stats, information and chips aren’t the primary issue right here, it’s all about their contribution to the sport’s cultural material.
For the subsequent 30 days—Monday by Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full checklist right here. We’ve additionally bought an unique retro collegiate assortment, out now, that pays homage to every squad’s threads. Store right here.
Image this: daring colours, flashy designs, and an entire lot of swagger. That’s precisely what sort of aura the ‘98 Fresno State Bulldogs exuded that season. Rocking radiant crimson uniforms with the Bulldogs written on the hem of the shorts and loud blue waistbands, the Bulldogs didn’t simply play basketball; they made a press release with their threads. You couldn’t miss them on the court docket, and belief me, you didn’t wish to.
The person calling the photographs for the Bulldogs was none aside from Jerry Tarkanian, a training icon recognized for his flashy demeanor and even flashier performs. As he was affectionately recognized, Tark wasn’t only a coach; he was a showman. His fast-paced, high-flying type of play saved followers on the sting of their seats and opponents on their toes. With Tark on the helm, you by no means knew what sort of jaw-dropping transfer or play was coming subsequent.
Identified for his or her distinctive expertise and contributions to the group, Chris Herren, Rafer Alston, and Terrance Roberson helped elevate Fresno State’s dominance in school basketball. Chris Herren, some extent guard with lightning-fast reflexes and an uncanny capability to learn the sport, was the engine that drove the Bulldogs’ offense. His court docket imaginative and prescient was second to none, and his knack for locating open teammates made him a nightmare for defenses to deal with.
On the duvet of Problem 22, we dubbed “Skip to My Lou” one of the best level guard on the planet—excessive expectations for a 20-year-old junior hailing from Queens. However if you happen to knew something about Rafer, you knew he was about to lift the taking part in area for NYC level gods throughout the collegiate scene. Playground prodigy, highschool legend. The Bull Canines’ engine. A participant who would go on to outline SLAM’s 30 years.
Skip made a right away influence together with his electrifying type of play, averaging 11 factors and seven.3 assists per recreation which helped the group to a 20-win season. Then there was Terrance Roberson, generally known as “T-Rob,” a standout participant recognized for his scoring capability. Standing at 6 ‘7, T-Rob helped Fresno State seem within the NCAA tourney by averaging 14.6 a recreation to place Fresno State on high. Their particular person abilities weren’t sufficient to get Fresno State far within the NCAA Match, however the Bulldogs weren’t only a two-man present; they’d a supporting solid that was each bit as proficient and thrilling to look at. Chris Herren would dazzle defenders within the pick-and-roll, meting out 4.8 assists and swiping practically 2 steals a recreation on high of 15.6 factors per. Tremaine Fowlkes diced up the paint simply whereas tearing down boards and instantly kick-starting the quick break. Each participant on the roster introduced one thing particular to the desk. Collectively, they shaped a cohesive unit higher than the sum of its components, a group that was as formidable because it was entertaining.
The file books could not mirror it, however Fresno State’s 97-98 squad stamped the San Joaquin Valley with an unreplicable season. The crosses, the dimes, and the photographs could by no means be seen once more in such a style. So it’s about time they bought their due shine. Their influence introduced consideration to the expertise and potential of the group, and so they laid the groundwork for future success by even making it to the event.
Photographs by way of Getty Photographs.