Sportsfan

I for one support players rights and their ability to leave whenever they want, but I have no idea what these comments mean, comparing the monetary value of what the coaches get ($$$ millions) moving to a Power 5 school verse what a player gets (free education) at both schools as the only tangible monetary value. NFL combine invite potential...no monetary value, as all players go to Pro Days and have personal workouts. The NFL finds players. The combine is mainly a TV event for the NFL and ESPN. Note: MAC had 7 players at 2022 Combine. NLI...monetary value for most players ($500 per year). It would be more accurate if players said: I want a bigger stage, more fans at games, better facilities, bigger bowls games, etc. , as I agree that stage, fans, etc. is an excellent reason to move on if you have the ability.

The current roster with recruits will be a 10-12 win team at best. Impact freshmen at mid-majors don't happen, or they would be in a Power 5 conference. Unless the coaches can bring in 2-3 portal transfers from D1 programs, next year will be a complete rebuilding year.

The theme of my original post was that the current athletic department is very low key about facility expectations. This is in contract to the January 2014 release of the Master Plan (see link below). Per Brooklyn Bull, even if Alnutt presented at a recent event, it was not to the level communication of Danny White and his ability to market a vision, regardless of the probability of it happening....8 years and counting....maybe it was a 20 year vision (except for baseball) https://issuu.com/buffalobulls/docs/athletics_master_plan-final_8eaecd0cdf47d8

Nothing/we agree...exactly what I noted, that White's vision (Strategic Plan) came with no funding, which isn't a plan at all. Would appear the the current administration doesn't follow the same approach, as they are not promising or communicating to the fan base anything related to a Strategic Plan, but to do small tactical projects as funding is provided (i.e, fueling state, locker rooms, etc.)

Unfortunate for UB softball that a High School can have a better softball field than a D1 University.

The impact is that now the athlete is aligned to all other employees of a university and the majority will make their decision yearly on the criteria below: Employee - how much $ can I make via NLI and do I like my coaches and the team culture Athlete - how much am I playing, in front of how many people, quality of facilities, chance of playing in NCAA tournament / CFP / Big Bowl Games Student - a degree is a degree Teammate - everyone look out for themselves (see 1 & 2 above) University - location (weather, near home, etc) Additions?

Agree....but visually, it looks more like a larger High School Stadium than a D1 FBS stadium with the track and little video capabilities. It would appear that the current athletic administration is not interested in presenting visions of facility grandeur and not delivering like Danny White's Master Facilities Plan.

In my view the probability of FLJ not going to her "dream" job in the ACC for more money in her home town and alma mater is about zero. I find it hard to come up with a reason she would stay if she was offered the job, and find it hard to believe that the AD would go after someone else, but he does need to go thru the process. I think Mark Alnutt has plenty of great options to backfill the program with, as FLJ has turned it into a top 75 D1 program.

After watching a number of games in the NCAA Tournament, the majority of the teams (both men and women) winning play excellent on the ball defense with their guards. The UB women guard were excellent on defense, the UB men were below average, and not due to effort, but due to size (Segu) and athleticism (Jack). It looks as if championships are still built with defense and end of game execution.

This is a good video recorded and release right below Covid19.

While always possible, a run is very unlikely. This team has a few players (Mballa, Williams and Segu) that have some offensive talent...but as a team, they are very average....maybe Jim will try a different lineup to try to improve the 1:1 matchups, because with the current rotation, they have demonstrated in 5 loses that they cannot play with the good teams.

Would assume at some point the administration presents a athletic facilities vision so that they can rally donations...but in terms of need that have been mentioned: Performance Center (i.e., weight room) Stadium Scoreboard Soccer field Stadium Improvements (remove track, new endzone stands, stadium entrances, etc.) Track & Field Complex Alumni arena improvements If you want a comparison, the top schools in the MAC for facilities. Toledo - https://utrockets.com/facilities Ohio - https://ohiobobcats.com/facilities

That would be unfortunate if athletics is not an integral part of the Governor/State/SUNY vision for flagship status. In either chicken/egg $$ sequence (state/donors), the investment/funding to have a key alumni marketing program (athletics) not included in the equation would be shortsighted. In a good sign, Mark Alnutt did mention he would provide the vision for the UB athletic department in the near future, so maybe that will be the foundation that the next 10 -15 years are framed off of for UB supporters to get aligned with, or maybe the vision is to be forever associated with the MAC, verse Big 12, ACC, Big 10.

Does this result in additional investment into athletics....the only way the Bulls align their sports teams with the the flagships of other states is with help from the NY state and investments in facilities and operating budgets. The MAC is a nice regional conference, but not where the flagship university of NY should be participating in. With NLI, Transfer Portal, etc., teams can get really good really fast with $$$.

With the portal, I think recruiting and roster management won't stop for the 2022 until camp starts....probability of transfers after spring ball will increase the open slots....roster management is becoming and art with day to day free agency.

Very good insight...my humble observation is that the culture within college sport (AD/Coaches/Players) has changed dramatically over the past 10 - 15 years, and will for a large group continue to move to a "me first" approach due to NLI, massive salaries, transfer portal, conference realignments, social media, etc.....how many more..."First I would like to Thank God, my parents, coaches, teammates, etc., but after deep reflection I have decided to enter my name in the Transfer Portal"...will we need to see as fans...I see the fan/student/alumni treating colleges sports more like pro sports....win and I will pay attention, lose and I will not waste my time or money....check out some of the pro teams venues that are losing...empty.....there is also a decision by UB/SUNY leadership if a recent announcement of flagship status will result in additional investments in athletics, or if they are satisfied with being in a low funded/low profile D1 conference (MAC) with non flagship state colleges.

This type of situation with attendance is not unique to UB or even college. Sports is entertainment, and why would anyone want to go see a bad product and pay money....the role of the AD, coaches and players is to put on a quality show...currently, that is not happening in either football or men's basketball...and BTW, Hurley and Oates were also entertaining during the game, post game, interviews, etc.

The Ohio post game quote about " incredibility disappointed in the effort" was striking. Facing the top rated team in the MAC, at home, and after a loss, and not have effort. I would say at this point in time, the athletic department is missing "energy", and it is has the potential to trickle into the fan base. Maybe a result of the pandemic, budgets, or other reasons...but for 1 of 2 official "Flagship" SUNY universities, the potential is there.

Would assume a PWO..

As you watch this team, there are so many weaknesses that good teams expose, they are at best a 4-5 MAC Team. Graves is sorely missed for his defense, driving, ball handling and physical presence.

Total FBS Scholarships Available = 11,050 (130*85) Number of FBS starting positions =3,250 (25 *130)- includes 1 LS, 1 Kicker, 1 Punter # of FBS Scholarship players currently in Transfer portal = 925 Probability of getting a FBS offer = 25%-30% Number of active players in NFL = 1,696 The teams the portal really helps are the top programs, as they no longer will have a rebuilding year, as they can plug in a free agent into any roster hole they may have in any particular year. The rest of the schools are playing merry-go-round with 2 and 3 star recruits. Most of the coaches will figure how to best manage the player movements (like the NFL).

Agree....the first couple pressers were good, but after that he was very scripted and really didn't say anything with insight. Let's give him some time, as this is really the first job he has had where he had to speak to the media...regarding player attrition, it is a bit odd that 4 starters on the offense (which, BTW wasn't very good explosive at all during the season), go to the portal. The most alarming item is the lack of #'s (scholarship) on the offensive line with spring ball only 2 months away. I have always wondered what "culture" he is referring to when he refers to "Building a Culture". UB had a winning culture that played hard and smart under Lance.

Seems college is quickly moving to the NFL model with yearly roster turnover....year 1 with a new staff is not surprising, but the low numbers on OL will need to be filled quickly for Spring Ball.

Off to Kansas?

It would appear that the Super Senior transfer has nothing to lose by putting their name out in the Portal...the opportunity for a 6th year. I am not concerned that this is happening, as most have not been key contributors, so why would a coach want to keep around someone for a 6th year and take a a valuable slot in the 85 limit and maybe the players thoughts are if I didn't start/play a lot as a 5th year senior, why would I want to come back to the same program for a 6th year. Only with the covid year are we seeing this in college football. This team needs more talent and speed...so Mo has to free up slots and recruit better players than 5th year role/reserve players within the 85 player limit.