Kevin

30 minutes ago, DocCas86 said:

It appears to be from this website:

https://www.dratings.com/predictor/bracketology/

Yes, it's from there. 

D-Ratings does really well.

12 minutes ago, TML1000 said:

Yea...Duke is NOT playing in the NIT

🤷‍♂️  then they don't. 

Just posting reputable rankings that were really good in 2019.

Right now, UB is 4 spots out of the NIT tournament. 

If they lose in the finals to Toledo, I think they have the shot to either be the best team not in the post season, or the last team in. 

6 minutes ago, UBinMD said:

He probably reads this site 😂

Can confirm they read this site.

Good defense for this team right now. I can say I'm impressed by that.

I had UB winning by 10-ish in this one. 

I don't think Kent is the same team without Nuga.

35 minutes ago, DooleyBull06 said:

Perfect place to put it bc if Oats didn’t leave I do believe we’d be an at large contender and mid major darling still. We had too much talent coming back and talent, like Williams, that left once Oats did.

He was the gem guard of the class. 

Could have really used a player like him.

When i go into a really dark place:

5 hours ago, Tee4three said:

Doesn't it make coaching look bad when all your metrics are fine but the results aren't there?

Also as far as 'luck' on kenpom I have always taken it to mean how confident kenpom is in the ranking of the team. If luck is high then the team should probably be ranked lower, if luck is lower the team should be ranked higher

I always thought it meant more for wins. Meaning teams that have a higher luck ranking are justified being ranked higher on their calculations but might have a bad record "luck". Teams ranked lower on luck (top) might have a good record, but not be ranked high based on their other metrics. 

I think it directly looks bad for a coach when advanced stats are there and results aren't. 

Whitesell has been disastrous to start games and to close games. 

10 hours ago, squire17 said:

As of the end of today’s games, Buffalo has the 2nd best ranked MAC defense. Offense is where they fall short.

Based on what? It must be due to the high rebounding numbers, a number that should have went way down after the Ohio game. 

They've allowed the 284th most points

1 hour ago, RecoveringHillbilly said:

Whitesell's post-game quote on the play is pure Pollyanna. I get supporting your guys but it's not about Segu's shot anymore. FLG tweeted how hard Segu works and her emotions that he missed it, and fans get that.  But it is about the lack of a proper PLAY prepped for that situation.

"I liked him shooting that shot, any time. And a million times more. He will make that shot. It'll fall. He just missed it tonight."

I'm not mad at Segu. It was a little further than I think it should have been but I would have done the same thing if I was him and we had no play called. I still don't know why the team isn't drawing up plays that have a 70% 2pt FG percent chance over ones that have 30-40%. 

For me it's the coaching down the stretch. How do you not attack Preston the entire last 8 minutes? Pick and roll him. He can't play defense and you want to catch him in a switch against Williams or Mballa. It didn't even happen once. 

6 minutes ago, Jeseph said:

Was this another quality game in the metrics column?

another game that shows we’re in good shape as a program?

what is Whitesells home record?

He's 13-9 at home. 

That's after Buffalo having a 26 game winning streak that was ended by Dartmouth.

9 minutes ago, Kevin said:

Amazing that this thread has really taken off since I've been out of here. 

I haven't been able to read much but I'm impressed by the passion (on both sides). 

I told @Jesephthat I wish I kept up the original contents up. I was called many things in this thread including a "hack a Shaq" and "coach B's best friend". 

I was trying to bring my best opinions and thoughts when i first posted it. I had many concerns with the hire. From the original hiring of a search firm, to not even trying to hire an up and coming stud. 

The team received a free million dollars to improve the situation of the team and instead chose to eat it, and pay someone less than the last two coaches were making. The momentum and success of this mid-major is almost gone. I am so gutted by this. 

I want this team to be so good and continue the run. Instead we were left with a muddling coaching hire from past failures. You know the definition of insanity right? The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. That's what they got here with hiring the assistant coach who just brought on to bring some coaching tips to Oats, Hodgson, and Quarles. 

I had my concerns with Whitesell when he was the "defensive coach" during his seasons under Oats. If UB had it's slight challenges, it would come on the defensive side of the floor. We are now seeing many of those issues without the defensive talents of Jordan and Caruthers. 

The team was riding the longest home winning streak in the nation prior to Whitesell taking over. He lost that in his first game coaching the team. 

The finishes of games are something that I'd expect to see in a video game when you are playing a better opponent online. There is no steady play, no steady call, no ice water moment. Vander Plas on the other side gets a rebound and puts it back over Nickelberry with the game on the line. Turner takes over down the stretch, just like new senior Nuga did for Kent State. 

The team has struggled down the stretch since this staff took the helm. They couldn't even draw up the right defensive play against Miami last year at home against the conference's worst team

The biggest disappointments of the first two years is the failures on the recruiting trail. I don't expect the team to look anything like it does today next November. Hitting on only 1 recruit has been a momentous event. An even that will not lead to good years in 3 years from now. There is nothing in the pipeline and no one here can even be the least bit confident that Whitesell is going to put a quality team together. 

The leadership needs to do anything it can to save the momentum of the program from the hands of the current 6-6 head man. 

Amazing that this thread has really taken off since I've been out of here. 

I haven't been able to read much but I'm impressed by the passion (on both sides). 

I told @Jesephthat I wish I kept up the original contents up. I was called many things in this thread including a "hack a Shaq" and "coach B's best friend". 

I was trying to bring my best opinions and thoughts when i first posted it. I had many concerns with the hire. From the original hiring of a search firm, to not even trying to hire an up and coming stud. 

The team received a free million dollars to improve the situation of the team and instead chose to eat it, and pay someone less than the last two coaches were making. The momentum and success of this mid-major is almost gone. I am so gutted by this. 

I want this team to be so good and continue the run. Instead we were left with a muddling coaching hire from past failures. You know the definition of insanity right? The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. That's what they got here with hiring the assistant coach who just brought on to bring some coaching tips to Oats, Hodgson, and Quarles. 

I had my concerns with Whitesell when he was the "defensive coach" during his seasons under Oats. If UB had it's slight challenges, it would come on the defensive side of the floor. We are now seeing many of those issues without the defensive talents of Jordan and Caruthers. 

The team was riding the longest home winning streak in the nation prior to Whitesell taking over. He lost that in his first game coaching the team. 

The finishes of games are something that I'd expect to see in a video game when you are playing a better opponent online. There is no steady play, no steady call, no ice water moment. Vander Plas on the other side gets a rebound and puts it back over Nickelberry with the game on the line. Turner takes over down the stretch, just like new senior Nuga did for Kent State. 

The team has struggled down the stretch since this staff took the helm. They couldn't even draw up the right defensive play against Miami last year at home against the conference's worst team

The biggest disappointments of the first two years is the failures on the recruiting trail. I don't expect the team to look anything like it does today next November. Hitting on only 1 recruit has been a momentous event. An even that will not lead to good years in 3 years from now. There is nothing in the pipeline and no one here can even be the least bit confident that Whitesell is going to put a quality team together. 

The leadership needs to do anything it can to save the momentum of the program from the hands of the current 6-6 head man. 

On 7/29/2020 at 6:40 PM, Dabulls said:

He’s definitely more than capable to play if he gets any minutes, prolific prep is an absolute powerhouse of a team, anyone who dresses for them can play ball

He's redshirting this year. 

I'd have to imagine he may be in line for a scholarship next year if they like what they see in his off year

UB adds the 10PPG 5RPG JuCo player. He will red shirt this year.

Started 20 games on Feather Weather

6-7 205

Interesting. No idea where they are getting a scholarship from unless he is paying his own way as a walk-on this year.

Can't find much on him. no 247 or Verbal commits or Scout

https://twitter.com/jim_whitesell/status/1288460938690146304?s=21

https://www.cccaasports.org/sports/mbkb/2019-20/Conference/Golden_Valley/teams/featherriver?view=splits

Looks like a decent prospect. Scores a ton for a big man. What level of JuCo is he playing? 

1 hour ago, BrooklynBull said:

Do not think that Fagan is waiting to graduate.  I think he is only three years out of high school. He has played two years, one in JUCO and one at UB.  He has two seasons left and there is no need to petition for a 6th year because he has a eligibility left to complete within five years.  You only apply for a 6th season if you have eligibility left after the 5th season.

Also Fagan was seen on a team Zoom meeting screen that was tweeted out a couple of weeks ago.  Graves was also in the picture.

He's 4 years of of HS. He had a RS year in JuCo. Class of 2016. https://www.hudl.com/profile/4928024/TraVon-Fagan

He has a 5th year left, and possibly a 6th if he gets the 2nd medical RS year

3 hours ago, SGBull said:

What are Fagan and Brock waiting for? Seems odd to wait if you know you are going to leave. You are just limiting your options.

Graduation. 

It makes them a Grad transfer option with immediate availability. Though I think Fagan will have 2 with a 6th year supposed to be granted. 

I wouldn't assume either would be playing somewhere that filled their spots early. Low D1 teams that are looking for players who can come in and play minutes. 

10 minutes ago, DooleyBull06 said:

Or maybe Graves isn’t coming back. 

I have it on good record he's back

However, as predicted, Fagan and/or Brock will be gone

1 hour ago, DocCas86 said:

I know there is uncertainty around the upcoming season, but I need to continue to hope the season goes ahead.  So I was poking around Barttorvik.com and here is currently the top 10 points per game scorers.

The top 3 - I agree with there assessment of the top 3. 

Graves is projected to be #5.  I am hopeful that his per game production actually increases - but I don't think he will break the top 3.

Two on the list that seem a bit low to me are Jason Preston and Ben Vander Plas.  Ohio looks to be a tough team this year.

Luckily Ohio is a two man team. However, BG is going to be a major challenge. Akron lost everyone but LCJ, I’m actually shocked he didn’t grad transfer 

6 hours ago, UB05 said:

50/50? LOL, I don’t think we’ve gotten anything other than Whitesell and Grant bashing since the start of last season from you, followed by crickets whenever they did something positive. I don’t understand it, but it’s absolutely your right as a fan and at times it’s been warranted. As for 20 wins being “the goal,” you’re just twisting the argument to make yours look better. I don’t think anyone here is going to happy to coast along winning 20 games and not making it to Cleveland. But the fact you continually ignore is that we lost 4 of 5 from the starting Lineup of our best team in program history and the two best players to come off the bench in program history. And still won 20 games in Whitesells first year with an incredibly young team. All while pulling in 2 of the best recruiting classes in program history despite turnover of 2 recruiters and the loss of an entire class when Oats left. You ignore all this because cuts the legs out from under your silly insistence that this was a terrible, unacceptable season and that we’re somehow “back to the Reggie days” which is laughable and insulting to the current team and coaches. 

"I dont think anyone here is happy to win 20 games." Lololol! Talk about the actual funnest thing I've read on here. That is the principle argument to the success of the season.

I'm not addressing the fact that they graduated their top players? Every team loses players. It's a 4 year sport with transfers and NBA drafts involved as well. 

Incredibly young? They played 3 seniors and 3 juniors in their top 10 (5 in the top 8 ), as i've posted in other threads, they were not even in the top half of the NCAA for minutes by underclassman and only 381 by Freshman. They had some youth but "incredibly young" is hilarious. 

2 of the best recruiting classes in program history? what are you referring to? Last year was certainly not that (only 1 player went on to score more than 3 PPG). Are you counting this year too? Every player minus Mballa was an Oats hold over or recruit (including Hardnett). He gets credit for not having anyone leave, sure. I've said that before and have stated that's probably how he scored the job over other candidates.

Winning 4 of 5 titles (where players also graduated) and then going on to not even qualify for Cleveland would be a big step back and it is perceived that way to the public. I get that there are a select few board members and donors who don't care or see this, but it doesn't make it any less true.

36 minutes ago, skrabukes said:

I have no problem with criticism when it's warranted. Again, the team replaced 4 All-MAC players from the year before. The fact that you figured that they'd win (evidently) 25+ games since 20 wasn't enough is ridiculous. Had we all hoped for better? Of course, however a 20 win season following the best season ever and incredible graduating class/new staff/re-tooled incoming class is nothing less than reasonable, but not in your eyes. Instead, you always gravitate on the loss to the 12-seed (which no one is happy about, but the score starts at 0-0 in sports) and worst home record in the MAC (how was their road record compared to the rest of the MAC?).

With regard to "how much you do or don't donate" has nothing to do with anything. If you want to frequently criticize the program, then do something to help it so that it can meet your expectations. That seems like a valid statement as well. 

It's not a winning number total. It's not that hard to understand. The issue that the "complainers" have is that hitting a magical random number doesn't exonerate them from the season. We get told all season to wait for Cleveland or let's wait to evaluate in March. Well March came and they lost in their home gym to a team that had one player go off (that they couldn't defend). Now you are saying "IT'S JUST ONE BAD GAME". Well, it also was the biggest game on the schedule.

They dropped home games to teams worse than Miami (poor home fans), the energy was lacking heavily at times, the lineups and end of game coaching decisions were off, defensive disappearance (309th), FT shooting (262nd), and the allowed stretches of ice cold iso ball that every single person on here knows was a problem. That's plenty more issues than them not reaching 25 wins. But if you want some magical number to make yourself feel better, I wanted 23-24 wins and at minimum and a MAC semi-finals game (which no one should tell you is too lofty). If you were at senior night 2019 and at the home Miami MAC game and think that general fans/public haven't taken a big step back, I'm not sure what to say.

What are they going to do with my money? They earned 1M for grooming Oats for a P5 job. Do we know where that was allocated?  So in order to criticize the program, I need to donate a certain amount to help them reach MY goals? That's exactly what I'm talking about. 

I've spoken with many casual UB fans that are bummed by the Oats departure (more than players), the issues with recruiting (that looks way worse to the average person) and the scare to go back to days prior to Hurley. To your shocking understanding, I am generally the one that "sells" the team back to these more casual fans. 

I can post my thoughts on UBFAN.com/bb/and still root for the basketball team to win games, regardless of how much you claim on hate the team and players.

I'm done hijacking the transfer portal thread though to argue with you again on how negative or positive someone is allowed to be on a fan board. 

12 minutes ago, skrabukes said:

Yep, and your sctick is negativity towards the players, coaches and team always, so it goes hand in hand. 

Another fact is that the team won 20 games last year after having graduated 5 players, 4 of whom were All MAC players. That season also included a coaching overhaul and needing to replace an entire recruiting class. Sorry that wasn't good enough for you. 

Always? That's inherently false. 

Is 20 wins a goal that I'm misunderstanding the importance? 107 teams finished with 20 or more wins, UB finishing tied for 107th. Is that their goal? 107th and no bid to Cleveland? Seems like we've set goals back to the Reggie days then. 

You allow for a 95-5 positive to negative ratio. I'm probably closer to 50-50, which is apparently "ALWAYS" to you. I don't think I'm allowed to post without you needing to claim now "negative I always am."

Your positivity fan board post-ratio or how much you do or don't donate, doesn't make anyone a better fan than someone else, as much as some on here don't like to believe.