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TBF my two aren’t getting renewed if halcovage is still here. So at worst they are only 498 off. If halcovage turns it around I’ll buy some single game tickets and buy back in two years, but I see that as low probability so I’ll save myself the money next year. They’re 0-10 with an average losing margin of 14.4 points against D1 opponents on their home court. They are going to hemorrhage season ticket holders. Idk how many there were to begin with but only losing 500 seems optimistic honestly

From the moment UB joined D1, WBB was certainly more competitive out of the gate than MBB with 20+ wins in 5 of the first 6 seasons and 10 straight .500+ seasons before going 9-19 in 2001-02. Just based on that, it does seem like there’s an “easier” path to success on the women’s side. Obviously it helps to have the right type of HC to deliver that success.

The bar is set REALLY low right now. So I hoped that they kept it competitive for a half, on a day when they were honoring an all-time great with some others in attendance. And they did that, up by 6 at the half, partly because they played much better defense today, partly because Akron wasn't shooting well (partly because of that defense). I figured we might be able to hear Groce explode at halftime in that locker room, and sure enough they eliminated that deficit quick after halftime. The Bulls stuck around, kept it a 3-5 point game most of the second half but couldn't quite get over that. Like so many other times, the game was decided in the last 3 minutes and the Bulls folded up. But I was entertained, the team played hard, especially more physically on defense. Among so many games to get down about (the Kent game, for instance) or mad about (the NIU game, or the Niagara game), this wasn't the worst. They were in it today despite some of the worst 3 point shots ever - how many didn't even hit the rim? Chatman - his usual double digits, and to his credit, hit his foul shots at the end Adams - got some good rebounds today, tough to the basket on offense, but fumbled it away at the end. Zakir - some progress here. He wasn't afraid to get tough underneath. Sabol - not his day Fulcher - getting more confident taking it himself to the hoop. They need that. Wilson - wish we saw more. Hit his foul shots The team could really use some more depth but I guess Graham and Boldin are hurt? Akron - until the very end, they were HORRIBLE from the line. At one point they were 4-14. The person they trot out there once a game to try foul shots blindfolded was doing about as well. To the point that I kept thinking, keep fouling them, they can't hit their shots. First half they weren't hitting three's, second half they started to. I expected better from Freeman, I thought he was going to have a record day against this UB team, but the Bulls had a plan for him, get physical, and they did a good job of it. Akron goes to the hoop inside forcefully and confidently. You match that or you get run over. My brother: "Akron's bench warmup shirts say something like 'Right is Right'. I wonder if those are court-ordered?" Crowd - the team gave them a reason to get excited at times. The band does a great job of cheering in the almost total absence of True Blue.

Agree. What it boils down to also is upper classmen not being leaders and having little situational awareness. Two examples…Smith dives on a lose ball and instead of calling a timeout he throws the ball into an Akron crowd of players. A possession or two before that Adams tried to dribble penetrate from the top of the key and turned the ball over going 1 v 2. Both those possessions were late in the game when we were down 3-5. We have a young and inexperienced roster but what’s compounding our issues is our upper classmen aren’t taking control. Plain and simple we are a team that doesn’t know how to win. We don’t know how to execute in the crunch to win games. For what it’s worth, I thought GH3 called the timeout at the right time, dialed up the right plays got the ball where it needed to go…players just didn’t execute. Against NIU players did hit their FTs. The last week we’ve been playing our best stretch of basketball yet yielding negative results.

UB battled and gave a solid Akron team a tough fight which is encouraging. They do seem to be improving. That said, they just don't have the right collection of guys. Huge roster turnover will be needed following this season.

Turner Battle speech was great. Can't believe how time flies. Feels like just yesterday I was watching the crowd record smashing NIU home game in 2004. There can never be another crowd like that (because of the bench side bleachers being gone) I dont even care if they win this one but Im glad they put up a very nice first half leading into the speech!

That’s exactly what it was, no need to poke the bear when you have 3 total wins

They overlooked this team. For those that will be offended by Burke yelling, I would recommend not listening into the locker room.

Electric half. Zaakir's game has been great last few games.

IMO no. Didn’t win anything while here that he played a part in, didn’t win Player of the Year. Really good and an All-Decade worthy type player. But not one of the best to ever do it, which is what the Wall of Fame is for. Again just my opinion.

No. IRS clarified it earlier this year.

I've often wondered if UB were to go all-in on any sport it should be women's basketball. It takes less money to become a major program.

Strategy is easy. Finding 40 people much less 440 to do that annually, oh yeah with no tax write off, would be insanely hard here.

0% chance.

$1,500-$2k for each starter? This isn’t 1975. Freeman and Ali Ali at Akron are getting $100k each (allegedly).

Luckily, our season will be extra short this year.

I was at those game. I remember heckling Constantine Popa from Miami. Modie Cox was fun to watch. He always had a look on his face like he was smelling a bad fart. Those were the days when we dreamed of just getting to the big dance. Now the expectations are much higher, which is cool to see.

I remember that game vs BC. The game vs the U of Miami was even closer as UB lost by just 6. That ‘93-94 team with Modie Cox, Rasaun Young and Myron Banks was very entertaining and gave us hope of things to come as the Bulls finally got into the double digits in wins. They had an identity as a team that was tough and had swagger, that you felt had a chance against anybody after the way they played versus these 2 teams.

I was against it. But I hate losing to our MAC peers more. I’d do a monthly donation hit to my credit card to get our teams out in the community and be competitive in the G5/conference.

No game thread. New low here.