(5th day of blogs looking back on Fresno State athletics in 2007-08.)

Just about everyone at Fresno State hopes for better days in the men's basketball program.

The Bulldogs struggled in the last half of the 2007-08 season to finish 13-19. It was one and gone in the WAC tournament. And, regardless of what official attendance figures say, many fans voted with their feet and stayed away from games at the Save Mart Center.

The program's historical problems aren't helping public perceptions. These include self-imposed and NCAA disciplinary actions in the wake of violations during the eras of former coaches Jerry Tarkanian and Ray Lopes.

But there's something amiss more fundamental than a losing record or a less than stellar non-conference home schedule or relatively old rules violations. It's as if the Valley has lost faith in college basketball.

Coach Steve Cleveland speaks to as many as 40 groups a year -- service clubs, schools, boosters -- in an effort to paint a new picture of Bulldogs men's basketball.

"There's been a lot of issues with this program, on and off the court," Cleveland says. "And also a lot of misinformation."