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Missed most of the 2nd half so was pleasantly surprised to see UB hung in there and only lost by 6. I’m a broken record, but if Bulls shot even 30% from 3 instead of 19% they would’ve won handily. If they could manage to get hot and shoot 40% a few times like we were used to seeing in the golden years, they could do some damage. Seeing signs of improvement, especially in the turnover department with only 6 for the game. On to the next

It is not 100% clear where team goes from here, but I put together a few charts using D1 only games to try to gauge UB performance in each game vs season to date performance of their opponent's other games. Turnover Rate This is percent of possessions with a turnover. The team has settled in to be about the median in terms of turnover rate, after early season struggles against Hofstra and Iona. There is still room for improvement, but the recent trend has been favorable. Offensive Rebounding Rate This has been about the median for most of the season. Offense eFG% As mentioned in almost every thread - UB shooting needs to improve. Defense eFG% The Hofstra and Iona games stand out (in a bad way). Overall, defensive performance has been about the median. I will stop with these four. I have other stats from BT that I could produce charts. I will gauge interest and determine if other charts worth creating.

Lastly I'll add I have a weird excitement for the Niagara game. And it has nothing to do with the local rivalry that used to be somewhat fun. Mostly because it's a 3-9 team, our last chance to get an OOC win on the record in 2023. We've been pretty much playing either very good or solid teams the entire schedule. It's a must win game even though this year isn't about the Ws, but it's just an early season benchmark. If they are improving as it seems, it would be great to see them really show out.

The positives winning the turnover (against a team that does not turn it over) and offensive rebounding battle, plus playing hard the entire game. As other posters have stated, need to improve shot selection and make a few more shots and a few games will go their way. First game back for Adams, he looked ok, had a few forced shots. As for Graham, hoping a combination of rust and jitters. Let's hope they return to Alumni and pick up a win against Niagara.

Thought UB battled hard tonight. Their offense is obviously a work in progress but it was nice to have Isaiah Adams back in the lineup. They ended the game on a 20-6 run to make it somewhat close in the final minutes. Graham looks really raw for a former 4 star recruit. Overall, one of the better games they've played this season.

Both our perspectives have merit, I just waste more time coming up with my thoughts. I am not aware of easy source for stats prior to garbage time. Things would definitely look a lot worse. In the recent games I scanned the gamecast, UB was competitive to a point and then went on a rather lengthy drought where the bulk of bad shooting stats come from. The timing of when that starts and length varies from game to game. Even if runs at the end of games is a function of the opponent letting up, I give the team props for continuing to play hard. For now I am hoping that Adams return, Graham playing more to his Mo St stats, Sabol being more consistent and Chapman being a little more efficient, helps them improve shooting. Hoping we have some more optimism after next four games.

Great posts as usual, in this and the other thread. Admittedly, my analysis is more shallow than yours. I can't quite get up the interest to dive deeper on this team, mostly due to the simple facts I posted. Not leading for a single possession past the first quarter of a single game is pretty damning evidence of an uncompetitive team. Not trying to heap work on you, but I'm curious how the stats you're working with would look up until the largest lead of the game, or some other way to exclude what I regard as garbage time.

Why things are trending a slightly more optimistic for me - at the beginning of the season - the team struggled on offense, both shooting percentages and turnover percentages and on defense - allowing opponents a very high shooting percentages This was especially the case in the Hofstra and Iona outcomes. The turnover rate and opponent eFG% has improved recently to more average D1 levels - but more consistency is needed and if possible improvement. The one area that has continued to plague the team is poor shooting. If this can be sorted out (a big if perhaps), then prospects will improve for MAC. As for comment about late game runs to make end margin closer - likely some of this is due to opponents taking their 'foot off the gas', but the press that UB employed late in second half gave Richmond trouble - so some of the credit should go to UB for fighting back to make the game close. Lastly the Niagara game is a good yardstick for (if / how) the team has progressed. Niagara / FDU are roughly similar quality - a win would be evidence of some progress. In addition, opening MAC play @CMU, WMU and MOH - will give a good gauge of expectations for the MAC regular season. It will be interesting to see where this team stands on 1/10/2024.

Appreciate the attempts at positivity but... We've trailed by ~20 points at some point in 8/10 D1 games, all but Louisiana and FDU. I've never even heard of something like that. We haven't had a lead in the second half against any of the 10 D1 teams we've played. That is UNBELIEVABLE. Skimming the game flow charts, I don't think we've had a lead past the ten minute mark of the first half. We've pulled some games close late when the opponent has already let up, making scores look closer than they really were. Agree that Niagara feels like a could/should win game. The MAC schedule should present even better opportunities for wins compared to the decent schedule we've faced of 50-200 ranked teams. But nonetheless it is a commentary on where we are at the moment when we're combing the schedule looking for a single solitary win. Kudos to the guys and staff for maintaining the effort level in the face of some harrowing results so far.

I will say to start this game I enjoyed the approach. They worked hard on defense with good intensity and on offense every player has the greenlight to shoot a three within 5 seconds. Seemed fun for a bit but after a while they missed so many of those 3s so badly, Im shocked we went 7-37 from 3. Felt like 2-50 honestly. That being said why not try something. Truth is the end of the game showed they need a bit more balance in the approach. Let the skill guys get the bucket in between the 3 pt attempts. I don't hate the idea of us trying to become a run and gun team but you gotta make the shots look better. I figured sabol would be the most up for this style but he was the most hesitant during the early barrage and seemed to always pass it off. All that being said you can see GH experimenting still with different styles but if the effort and hustle remain at this level for the remainder of the season they'll win some games for sure.

We gotta take the ball to the basket more. A lot more. I know we don’t have a ton of size but at least try to draw a foul. That will improve our outside game/shot selection as well.

Better that's for sure Gotta figure out the offense, way too many forced or bad shots and too much confusion

The good - only 2 turnovers and at the 4 minute media only 1 foul

Adams is starting!

Great one of those pointless ESPN type stats the media loves to put out for no reason. Literally service no purpose but thanks. They also won 4-5 games total in the early Battle Reggie startup days before they quickly turned it around with generally the same roster (granted the battle injury was depressing that season). It's all relative. Has nothing to do with this team.

With tonight's loss, Buffalo drops to 1-10 on the season, matching their worst record through 11 games since returning to Division 1 under Dan Bazzani in 1991-92.