Fresno State Basketball Gears Up for New Season

The Bulldogs open play next month with a revamped roster and a new high-pressure tactical approach.

Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Basketball

Fresno State Basketball Gears Up for New Season

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Fresno State women's basketball transitions into the Pac-12 era with a significantly overhauled roster and a new up-tempo playing style. The team looks to improve upon their 15-18 finish from the previous season under the guidance of head coach Ryan McCarthy.

Why it matters

Coach McCarthy is implementing his signature 'mayhem' defense and offense to elevate the team's competitiveness after a sub-.500 finish in conference play last year. This strategic shift aims to mirror the consistent success he achieved during his long tenure at Alaska Anchorage.

The revamped Bulldogs squad features 11 new players, including six international athletes from Australia and New Zealand. Returner Ashlyn Rean anchors the lineup, having averaged 12.7 points and 7 rebounds last season.

The players

Ryan McCarthy

He is the head coach of Fresno State who previously maintained an 82.2% win percentage over 13 seasons at Alaska Anchorage.

Ashlyn Rean

She is a returning player for the Bulldogs who averaged 12.7 points and 7 rebounds per game during the previous season.

Rubi Gray

She is a transfer player who averaged 14.1 points per game while playing for Sacramento State last season.

The details

The team's new 'mayhem' style prioritizes aggressive, up-tempo play designed to force turnovers and generate quick scoring opportunities. With only four returning players, the roster relies heavily on international recruits and fresh transfers like Rubi Gray, who averaged 14.1 points per game at Sacramento State last year.

October 30, 2026: Exhibition game against Stanislaus State.
November 4, 2026: Season opener against UC Merced.
January 7, 2027: Conference play begins at Colorado State.

Season Trajectory

This roster overhaul represents a foundational shift for the program as it attempts to break away from the performance plateau seen during the 2025-26 Mountain West conference season. The new personnel and high-pressure system are calibrated to reposition the Bulldogs in the more competitive Pac-12 landscape.

The addition of 11 new players means that rotation roles and early-season scoring volume remain fluid as the team integrates international transfers. Fans should look for defensive turnover rates in early games to gauge the effectiveness of the team's new aggressive full-court style.

The takeaway

The Bulldogs are banking on a complete cultural and tactical reset to revitalize their program. By prioritizing high-pressure defensive metrics, the team hopes to create a faster, more efficient path to victory in their new conference.