ButlerAlumDad

31 minutes ago, rma said:

1. Yes, have you been to a UB game at Canisius or Niagara?  This year Syracuse sounded like a home game.

2. Yes, they do currently.  Though it will obviously be more expensive to fly more teams out to farther locations.

 

You obviously have no idea of travel costs. Airplanes, charter busses, hotel costs, travel with tutors, etc. Fans traveling down the street or even down the I-90 is different than fans traveling to Illinois or Iowa or Cinci. 

On 3/29/2019 at 8:37 PM, ATL92 said:

Does everyone understand that TV Conference money is a big factor here.  If we can get to the AAC our athletic budget gets bigger!!

What is not understood is you have to be invited to the party and 1 good year in the entire basketball history of the school doesn't get an invitation. Will UB fans be willing to park 3 miles away and bus to games in the middle of winter like at Syracuse? Even Fordham. Other than to tournament games do UB fans travel and occupy arena space? Does UB have the budget to fly teams to away games? The MAC is a bus & truck and fits UB's athletic budget. Buffalo is not a medium or large media market. It is a small market. 

6 minutes ago, ButlerAlumDad said:

Evans  was the big name. I felt he was wrongly trashed on the message boards for leaving.  How did it work out? Here is an ASU quote... SHANNON’S CAREER IN NUMBERS: Shannon Evans II closed his Sun Devil career as one of the best two-year players in Sun Devil history. He joined James Harden, Jahii Carson and Bobby Lazor as 1,000-point (1,023) Sun Devil two-year scorers, and is the top free throw shooter in Sun Devil history, making 222-of-263 (.844). Among two-year Sun Devils also finished in top-10 in scoring average (15.7/eighth), field goals (317/ninth), free throws made (222/sixth), and assists (256/sixth). His 95 three-pointers made and 256 three-pointers attempted in 2017-18 both ended fourth on the ASU single-season three-point charts.

He also took O'Field and Graham who decommitted from UB when Hurley left

8 minutes ago, UBminicre said:

Does anyone remember the guys who left with (or because) of the Hurley departure? Nowhere to be found. We all remember the guys who stayed. Graves, Jordan, Segu, Williams would be silly not to think about that outcome, regardless of who becomes coach.

Evans  was the big name. I felt he was wrongly trashed on the message boards for leaving.  How did it work out? Here is an ASU quote... SHANNON’S CAREER IN NUMBERS: Shannon Evans II closed his Sun Devil career as one of the best two-year players in Sun Devil history. He joined James Harden, Jahii Carson and Bobby Lazor as 1,000-point (1,023) Sun Devil two-year scorers, and is the top free throw shooter in Sun Devil history, making 222-of-263 (.844). Among two-year Sun Devils also finished in top-10 in scoring average (15.7/eighth), field goals (317/ninth), free throws made (222/sixth), and assists (256/sixth). His 95 three-pointers made and 256 three-pointers attempted in 2017-18 both ended fourth on the ASU single-season three-point charts.

19 minutes ago, ButlerAlumDad said:

NCAA publishes them privately and they are allowed to be released., There's a reason I wasn't specific as to where they ranked. I believe FLJ has quoted the placement for the women. UB men has used the excuse for the poor graduation stats because of JUCO and transfers out of the program. 

here's last years overall link: the new report will be issued around May 1 after all seasons conclude. this is overall not specific for tournament teams... (As a member of the press, I receive releases marked Embargoed until XXXX) 

3 minutes ago, skrabukes said:

I was unaware of those academic stats for UB bball teams. Where does one find those?

NCAA publishes them privately and they are allowed to be released., There's a reason I wasn't specific as to where they ranked. I believe FLJ has quoted the placement for the women. UB men has used the excuse for the poor graduation stats because of JUCO and transfers out of the program. 

26 minutes ago, skrabukes said:

I believe I said academically? I don't know what Detroit or other offers has anything to do with my point about academically qualifying or staying eligible once arriving.

sorry my sarcasm didn't come thru. I believe he's academically eligible. Could he stay eligible? on the men's side (bottom 10% GPA in the NCAA Tournament)? Yes, on the women's side (top 10% GPA in the NCAA Tournament)? No! If he's in WNY his mom will keep on top of him about grades as will his aunt!. I'm certain of that.

27 minutes ago, skrabukes said:

You think Joe Jones could qualify academically to get in/stay eligible at UB?

on the men's team. His only recent offer is Detroit. He still holds a few others I believe.

1 hour ago, skrabukes said:

I'm not arguing over his skills, as I've never seen him play, but someone with no offers who "needs development" at a 3 going to a top 25 team is the best choice for both him and ub? Granted, UB lost 5 seniors, and we'll see how many other openings are available,  but at this very second, UB needs a big or two (since no hawkins or allen), not a developmental 3. 

Then someone needs to keep John Orogun (2020) in contact. Too bad they pulled the offer for Joe Jones (Greg Oden's brother).Sad to say, though UB finished for the 1st time as a top 25 team, its nowhere near a top 25 program. 

5 hours ago, skrabukes said:

Are you just a shill or crazy? He has no offers from anyone, yet UB should go after him? What has he done to show that he is capable of playing at this level? Summer and he are completely different types of caliber.

A good coach recognizes skill sets. Recruiting services are surprised he has no offers. As he never has played as a true 3 development is necessary. He has the defensive skills, drive and desire. Yes, coaches have talked about stashing him away at prep to learn positions. Doesn't Mack have a brother on UB Football though nowhere near the NFL stars skill levels? Watching him go up against highly recruited players and then earning MVP made him low-mid major worthy IMO. I also think his family got talked into the wrong AAU program. He was at RAP. If he played for CR, Castle or RENS he would have been noticed. Same for the local kids on CGE. At least Rice offered Julien. Ebuka has no D1 offers yet either though lots of interest.

Not so much this year. Geographically it fits. Butler can recruit against all schools though they are selective in fitting a system and shy away from 1 and done. There is also an unwritten policy, "no visit, no offer". The don't over recruit... "Creaning". They are last in the Big East in recruiting budget and still don't have a practice facility. UB according to coach JW & coach? BH were really counting on Hastings signing to be a Bull not a Bulldog. What I found different until Cleveland was the Butler team is a family. For the 1st time I saw  "Family Team Unity" among the parents at UB though it was on the women's side. At Butler we as parents traveled together, socialized, and 15 years later still are in touch. Teammates still are going to weddings, etc. and Brad Stevens is now organizing the get togethers for the team members that played for him. He took over after Joel Cornette's untimely passing. 

Maybe the new coach will look at him though he would need to change from a 5 to a 2/3 or small 4. He held Louisville's 5 star recruit totally in check and outplayed him when COH defeated Lawrence Woodmere last weekend. He has a few D2 offers, no D1s. Lots of upside IMO if a strong coach can tame his temper.

Hawkins just announced he will be announcing at 9pm CT tonight on his instagram account. Up until Wednesday he only had 2 offers, UB & Arkansas. Wednesday afternoon he received an offer from Alabama.

1 minute ago, JoeyRattlesnake said:

Lanier is from Buffalo... so there is a tie.

 

Also, do we really want "Spoon" again?  A lifer who challenges for a MAC title every four years?  This is a good problem we have on our hands.  We are successful, therefore we are looking for a new coach.  In reality, you're always looking for a new one unless you're a blue-blood program?  You're either winning and coaches are getting poached or you're losing and you're firing your coach.  Look at Va Tech.  They just were a 4-seed, challenged Duke to the final horn and now Buzz Williams is flirting with Texas A&M.  It happens everywhere not named Kansas, Duke, Carolina & Kentucky.

Sorry, forgot to list Rob as local though I believe UB would be a stepping stone for him. All one needs to do is look up state salaries here and compare with state schools with big time programs. No NYS employee has a 7 figure salary. 

40 minutes ago, BrooklynBull said:

Not true.  There has never been any discussion about dropping football or lowering football other than from people on message boards.

disagree!!! With knowledge! It was during Arklepane's tenure. 

17 minutes ago, UB05 said:

Bucky? Is that you? In all seriousness though, the school understands fully what big time athletics can do for its public profile and enrollment. President Tripathi has said as much himself 

I'm not Bucky! I'm the parent of a former high-major D1 participant and a current highly recruited 3 sport female who elected not to continue sports at the next level. I was also a member of UBAAC (University of Buffalo Athletic Advisory Council) transitioning the school back into D1 and considered a major donor to UB. Last year the men's team had the 3rd lowest GPA in the NCAA tournament field. This year's numbers haven't been released. On the other hand, the women were in the top 10% GPA of tournament teams. 

2 minutes ago, UB05 said:

You’re probably right. But if people expect us to become a big time program we have to be able to compete like one. Unless our donor base and boosters increase, we honestly don’t deserve to be in a different class than the rest of the MAC. Can’t think big if we don’t act big. 

What the fans want and what the school and SUNY may want are 2 different things. UB is maintaining the minimum number of sports to qualify for D1. http://www.buffalo.edu/ubnow/stories/2017/04/UB-sports-reduction.html. Without a huge donor gift including the field house, football was on the way out that would have forced UB to leave the MAC. Alumni Arena is a poor facility for big time hoops though better than every other school in the area. It was built as a multi-purpose building. 

13 hours ago, MillenniumBull said:

My perspective on Oats, very good motivator.  The players like him and they play for him.  He has had the luck to land in a situation where UB has just been much more athletic and talented then his opponents so his coaching credentials have not been overly tested.  We will see now.  His record vs NCAA teams this past season, 2-2.  Not bad but we did have 5 seniors.  Last year, 1-5.  And still that one win is what he is known for.  I wish him well, but I don’t see him a game changer at the SEC.

There is an old expression... "The real power hides behind the throne". "Wild Oats" was the frontman screaming, yelling and "F" bombing his players on the court. Whitesell was calm and collected calming them down and strategizing. Hodgson kept up the encouragement. After Marshall left I believe UB lost the bench ability to develop the players without the 2 years of JUCO or post grad prep experience. I'll give him 2-3x as long as "Spoon" lasted at Alabama meaning in 3 years he'll be back at a low mid-major. Oats is not Bruce Pearl or Brad Stevens. I sadly witnessed Todd Licklitter leave my son's squad at Butler after tournament success including a sweet 16 taking a few assistants with him to Iowa (including the current Butler HC LaVall Jordan and current AHC Jeff Meyer. The "Butler Way" didn't work there and they were out in 3 years whereas Butler continued their winning ways after the promotion of an assistant coach including consecutive Final Fours and transformation from the Horizon league to the A-10 and now to the Big East.

Just now, Jeseph said:

I'm not as fixed as others on Lanier's 2005 success at Siena. He's been tied to Rick Barnes at strong programs for years now, I would hope that would set him up for better success in his next HC stint.

Conversely he's had a taste for P5 basketball and may be another "stepping stone" coach. At this point though, I'm not sold on anybody selling us on long term commitment at UB so it is what it is...

If UB wants long term i.e. "Spoon" then you need where local ties are strong i.e.: Battle, McDonald, Jacob, Nwora, and assistants like Gamble

42 minutes ago, MKBullsfan said:

I’m not thrilled about Rob Lanier. Didn’t he fail at Siena? That’s basically like failing at Canisius or Niagara. He’s also job hopped around and interviews often. What if he starts looking again after only a year? Also, I could care less if he’s from Buffalo. I rather hire someone with deep aau or juco recruiting ties and Hodgson is that guy. Hodgson is still hungry while I think Rob has been collecting good salaries as Associate coach around many schools. Get someone younger, hungry and that will focus on building off this last 5 years. 

Rob is indeed active on the recruiting trail.  He is often in this area and signed talent Bryan could not. i.e. Davonte Gaines 6'7" SF Health Sciences. At the moment I waiting to see what John Orogun will do. He's the 6'11 C UB offered as a Sophomore while at Park. 

Sites rarely update once a player makes a commitment. For many that are great juniors due to peaking early you don't get a true picture later on. Gordon Haywood was a **

1 minute ago, rma said:

Jeenathan

he was 3.5 and made almost no real impact on the court. not a game changer

1 hour ago, rma said:

Well we got one.  Who knows where he goes now.

Who? Noah Williams is a ***, Glover **, Tujaute Williams **, Grant **, Thomas **, Agee **, Hawkins ***. All according to Mike Liebert Verbal Commits.

2 minutes ago, trueblue32 said:

I would say having a top 20 offense with no real NBA talents is unique and not accomplished playing "playground ball".  I'm not downplaying the staff and I've been advocating for hiring from within.  If you feel Oats was the wild screamer and not much else to me it makes his jump to Alabama all the smarter before he gets "exposed".

UB with JUCO players had enough experience to deal with MAC players. UB doesn't get 4star talent out of high school, and not too many 3 stars either unless they go the JUCO route. Also, the Pacers were hot on CJM. I have a personal opinion that his leaving as well as a possible BH departure was not as recent as it seems. Marshall stopped calling recruits he was after a few weeks before his departure was announced. 

51 minutes ago, trueblue32 said:

Sure but how many of them did so in two consecutive years?  And how many were top 25 for essentially the whole year?  Acting like we did so much more for him than anyone else has ever done for a coach is bizarre.  I had grievances with Hurley for how he tried to air us out in the media after he left but Oats did nothing to harm us so I don't understand why everyone is trying to tear him down now.  If the worst thing he did is make us sound better than we are with the Gonzaga talk then almost every person on this board is probably just as bad as him.

Don't downplay the rest of the staff and their roles. Did UB do anything unique? IMO individuals were allowed to play "playground" ball. It worked with this group. JW strategized the defense and again IMO was the bench coach. "Wild Oats" was the screamer.