mikescherrer8

Really good defensive performance by the Bulls. Especially against a team that put up a good fight against Kentucky, I thought we shut them down today. UB didn't shoot the ball well here again, sloppy turnovers and forcing shots and missing easy buckets inside. I'm not particularly worried about the shooting because UB didn't shoot the ball all that well until conference play. But, we are 3-0, we are ranked, let's enjoy this.

I guess I'll be the first to ask. What is the hype with Southern Illinois? I see that they are returning a lot of players from last year. But, how do they fair and match-up against UB? Looking at their record and team stats last year. Nothing really is standing out, other than maybe they were a good defensive team. Either way, if they are as good as people are making them out to be, I'll be expecting a tough game.

Well folks, it's official, Buffalo is ranked #25 in the AP Poll. https://collegebasketball.ap.org/poll

Jeff Goodman is being way too generous with that #10 spot, but I respect it.

Jon Rothstein has UB at #24 https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/1061804582463004672

Noon I believe.

Really nice article on Oats. I agree as stated that as long as the administration and the university are on board to be serious about basketball, and invest time and money in it, then Oats will be here for a long time, especially if Oats has the vision to turn Buffalo into a Gonzaga/Butler type program. This really flirts with the notion that Oats will stay here for a while. Expressing the urge to build this program, buying a house here, settling with his wife and children here, who love the area. I guess it really just depends on if the university has the same ambitions as Oats.

You're making it a bigger deal than it really is. It's pretty clear that you're just finding things to complain about. You need to relax.

I actually disagree. If we take away the abysmal 3 point shooting, compared to last year in the first game against Canisius, I thought we played much better. Defensively, we played pretty darn good. Really eliminating St. Francis' ability to get comfortable, turning the ball over, and preventing them from gaining any sort of momentum, especially in the second half. St. Francis is a damn good team too, and for us to hold them to 67, could have even been less, that's very impressive. Mind you, last season, Buffalo really didn't become the ultra consistent team until about the Ball State game, game #15, that's when we saw guys like Jeremy Harris come alive. And from what I saw yesterday, this team is going to find itself well before game #15 this year. It's still early on in the season and it'll take time before the true talent and potential bleeds out. It'll take adjustments, changing up game plans, and just each player finding their role on the roster.

Off topic, indeed.

First half thoughts: Like 11-12 from the free throw line and drawing a bunch of fouls. 14 fouls for St Francis in the first half. Dislike 3 point shooting in the first half was bad, forcing too many of those shots, despite our ability to make those types of shots. Need to adjust and win this game in differ Like 11 assists on 14 baskets made. The unselfish play of UB has returned. I really enjoy the unselfishness that is distilled into Nate Oats' players.

Things that I'm looking for in today's game are: 1. Offense and pace. Can we repeat the same scoring pace at around 85 points per game? UB finished 7th in country in scoring at 84.8 PPG. Let's see if that will carry over this year. 2. Hold teams in the low 70's or under 70 points per game. Can we improve defensively and hold teams under 70 points per game? UB finished last season allowing 76.2 PPG, 274th in the country. This is definitely an area that will need improvement. 3. Making the free throws. Buffalo last season was 241st in free throw % at 69.7%. This season, I'd like to see a step forward in this area. Be somewhere in the top 100 which is typically around 73-74% at least. These easy buckets have to be made. 4. Forwards. Being that UB is not very deep at the 4 or 5 spot, I'd like to see today if we get any significant forward contributions outside of Perkins. I'd like to see McRae, Fagan, or Bertram step up. It'll be interesting at the season progresses, which one of those 3 rises to the occasion. 5. Who replaces Wes Clark? Wes Clark was obviously a huge reason for UB's success in the MAC Championship game and in the win against Arizona. But, who fills that role? Caruthers? Jordan? It'll be interesting to see what adjustments are made moving on from a leader like Clark. 6. Rondo Segu and Jeenathan Williams. I think I can speak for everyone, I cannot wait to see these 2 guys play. I am curious to see how many minutes each guy gets and to see how they both contribute further in the season.

UB is gonna have to win, a lot of games, to be 9 seed. Including win 2/3 with Marquette, West Virginia, and Syracuse. Beat the Bonnies, beat Illinois State twice, be a #1 seed in the MAC playoffs, win the MAC championship. Outside that realistically, we're a 11 or 12 seed.

UB has the chance to beat teams like Marquette, and can definitely beat Syracuse. One thing they have to work on from last season. Defense. These guys can score 85 points a game, but they have to finish them and pull away. This team has the speed, athleticism, ability to rebound, shoot the 3, and play fast. It's really up to them at this point if they want to be as great as they can be. As coach Oats has said, keys to success are the 3 H's "stay hungry, stay humble, stay healthy".

Very true. Gonzaga I suppose is a really good example on you can become a powerhouse team and still be in a mid major conference. Hopefully that's where Buffalo is heading.

Holy smokes, how is New Mexico NOT in the top 25 here? The talent on that roster is insane. At the very least they should be top 10 I would think. Anyway, Buffalo #2, can't complain. Of course, Gonzaga is barely a mid major.......

There's nothing wrong for a program to request donations and crowdfunding from people who genuinely care about the program. In the end, if you don't want to donate, then don't donate. If you want to donate, then donate. It's not a hard concept. People always have to complain about something..................

I think he was referring to 3 point shooting. 8-33 from the 3. 30-41 from the 2. But overall, that's 38-74 51.4% total shooting. Pretty good overall.

St. Francis is a much smaller team, heavily rely on guard play, and playing the perimeter. D But I think we see Rondo more of a play maker this game. And we might see some flashes of him slashing toward the basket for a few layups. And maybe a few 3 point attempts. I also want to see his perimeter defense displayed.

Yeah, Oats did mention after the Daemen game they're trying to get him healthy for the St. Francis game. Unsure really if he'll be ready or not, however.

Wow, what a blow to NIU, and what a huge waste of talent and potential for German too. Bonehead move.

Ronaldo Segu is looking quite good, everyone is chipping in and we're winning the way we're supposed to. We look excellent on offense and defense. Granted, it's Daemen, but, we aren't even struggling and things are flowing.

Loving all the guard and wing talent pouring in. The only thing that concerns me is our lack of depth at the 4 and 5 position after McRae and Perkins are gone after this year. Nonetheless, I have faith in Oats and the rest of the coaches to bring in great talent for the future.

Anyone got a stream link to the game? No cable for me.

To be quite frank, Delaware State did run the ball 54 times for only 3.7 yards a carry, which isn't that great on their end. I didn't think the run defense was all that bad, but, I do agree there can always be room for improvement.