BullsFan14

I think he is on for Saturday. This tweet, in my opinion, confirms it. I thought with it being hush-hush he might have done something criminal related (Justin Moss anyone?). I agree it is probably a team rule violation. Either way, tonight would be a good game to follow for SIU vs. Murray State. SIU only being 3 point favorites.

Uhoh

CJ Massinburg, Buffalo Now: Massinburg has slowly improved during his four seasons at Buffalo and is the best player for perhaps the best mid-major team in the country. He is averaging 17.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists this season, and has come up with his best performances in the biggest games. Massinburg, a 6-3 shooting guard, went for 43 points, 14 rebounds and 3 assists in a win at West Virginia earlier this season, and had 19 points and 6 rebounds in Buffalo's first-round win over Arizona in last season's NCAA tournament. Only a handful of high school seniors play on the grassroots circuit after their senior season ends, and Massinburg was one of them in the spring of 2015. The Texas native didn't have too many options. San Francisco had been the favorite, but the Dons received a commitment from another player before Massinburg was prepared to make a decision. At the time, Massinburg seemed likely to go to junior college for a year before heading to the Division I level. That's where Buffalo comes in. Nate Oats had just taken over from Bobby Hurley and needed players. A couple guys had transferred out, and Oats suddenly needed five or six players to fill out the roster. Former Louisiana Tech assistant Dusty May, who is now the head coach at FAU, called Oats and mentioned Massinburg as a player he might want to check out, considering he was still available in late April. Oats told assistant coach Jim Whitesell to watch Massinburg while he was in Indianapolis for the live recruiting period. "I liked his size and I liked that he could do a lot of things," Whitesell said. "Handle the ball, play some point if you needed him to. A lot of toughness; he wasn't afraid of sticking his nose in there. And he had a little more physical build than some of the younger kids out there." Whitesell reported back to Oats and they brought Massinburg on campus for a visit. The only other school in the mix at the time was Prairie View A&M, so Oats laid his cards on the table. "When Nate sat down and talked to him, 'Hey look, here's the situation. We've got a senior guard back, we've got a freshman point guard back who was all-rookie team. There's no guarantee you're gonna play at all, and I may think about redshirting you,'" Whitesell said. "It was a straightforward conversation. "And C.J. said, 'All I want is an opportunity.'" Perhaps the biggest adjustment for Massinburg was going from Texas weather to the harsh upstate New York climate. "I think he adjusted pretty well to it," Whitesell said. "Now he's got all the gear, all the winter clothes." And the talk of redshirting Massinburg his freshman season? That didn't last long. "[It ended] pretty quick," Whitesell said with a laugh. Next game: Saturday vs. Southern Illinois (2 p.m. ET, ESPN+) Game to watch: Tuesday at Syracuse (8 p.m. ET, ESPN2) NBA draft report: "He's a really physical wing with deep range on his jumper. Love the way he rebounds and how smart and tough he is overall. Wish he was a little more dynamic as an athlete or shot-maker. Jumper takes too long to get off and he doesn't create very much for himself or others. You'd hope to see him be able to play-make some at his size, but he's really more of a catch-and-shoot, close-out guy for them. He's a big-time college player, but he'll need to add more to his game to stick on a team down the line, I think." -- Jonathan Givony, ESPN

Hi all - Hate to be that guy but can people post The Athletic article on Oats and FLJ. I do not have a subscription

Hate to be the bad news guy. A large contingent of students will be gone by 12/17. Most/Basically all finals were scheduled this week so a lot of students left.

Can you guys take this to another thread? I just want to talk SIU

So what exactly is going on with Fletcher at SIU?

Seems like a trap game but I trust Oats to have the team mentally prepared. I wonder how CJ's knee is doing. He looked in bad shape at the Bonaventure game. Last game against SIU - 35.5% shooting - 28.6% 3 point range Season average - 47.5% shooting - 34.7% from 3 point range If we shoot close to our average, they won't be able to catch up to us due to their slow play.

Seth Davis has us moving down. https://twitter.com/SethDavisHoops/status/1071941038422482944?s=19

Jon Rothstein has us at 16

Good game yesterday against the Bonnies. Man it is fun watching this team when they are cooking. Huge step up from Graves and Harris. It seems like Harris is just about back to last season. A shout out to the freshman as well. Against LeMoyne I called out Williams but this game he looked more solid all around (defense and offense). Going into a hostile environment like the RC can be intimidating for a freshman and they didn't seem phased. It was the first time I have been the RC. I thought it was a cool place. Makes you wonder how loud it would be if we had something similar. Passionate fans in Olean. It is always great to see passionate fan-bases. 9-0 baby

Thank you for coming over and for the heads up. Looking forward to seeing Stockard . I want to see how he mathes up with us. The atmosphere should be rocking. We have a group of people coming down to the RC for the game too. They are typically a louder crowd Looking forward to it!

Sorry for the double post. Currently 8 point favorites against Bonaventure with O/U at 148

Why can't we have bias article writing like this in the Buffalo area? http://www.oleantimesherald.com/sports/pollock-bonnies-make-statement-for-game-with-buffalo/article_fb97b3ec-f91f-11e8-91bc-072da8b87951.html

Its funny. I am going with my girlfriend and I had to warn her about going there. I have been in hostile environments before but had heard very negative things about extreme Bonaventure fans at the RC. I hope it isn't the case and there are no issues. I am expecting a little more hate than usual (with us being ranked)

It should be a good game. I am really excited to see us tested by Stockard. It will be tough playing the 6th man in the RC. I know a lot of UB fans are coming down for it. That being said, any tips about the RC and some cool concessions or anything? I have never been but heard good things.

How Franciscan of you

It could also be a Harris situation where they truly breakout in MAC play.

I am glad I wasn't the only one who thought that about Williams. Also have that similar feeling to Fagan. Williams was obviously higher. I think they will be breakouts within 2 years though.

Alnutt has volunteered on numerous 5k charity runs in the Buffalo community, attended many local neighborhood events and has his face out in the community (even while his family is not living here yet). I find that incredible. Saw him on the metro going downtown wearing a UB hat by himself. A guy came on the train and they started chatting. He had no idea who he was, asked him about Buffalo sports then UB sports. Then ultimately told him who he was. It was great and I thought the conversation was productive for both individuals. I don't have an interview or article to send you about it. I have seen it. Have you not seen the UB Football team attend elementary and middle schools during the season and doing walk to victories? The videos are on their twitter. Kids getting excited about UB (Community Engagement). It is all around you but you are choosing to actively not see it. You need an article or interview? Maybe I am different, I see that as gloat. I am sorry this is off topic but that accusation that you made is a strong one.

Although tough, I disagree. I think this will be the game where everything clicks for us. Harris hits at least 4 threes as we cruised to a 83-65 win in Olean. Stockard (is that his name?) Is good but good luck against our defense guards.

I also liked that Katz agreed with Oats in that no team wants to play us. He wanted to make sure Oats said it first.

I think we will have a great crowd tomorrow. Oats was on Bucky and Sully this morning saying that he is still feeling the effects of the jet lag. Hoping that doesn't translate to the players tomorrow. Syracuse crushed Le Moyne this year. I am thinking the same will happen for the Bulls. Would like to see a lot of minutes from the freshman and new players. Use Perkins, Massinburg, Jordan sparingly. I want Harris and Graves out there to start getting the rhythm for their threes Looking forward to it! Doors open an hour before and you can grab a cold beer!

Imagine if the Buffalo Bulls were a 6th seed in the NCAA tournament! That is incredible!