DooleyBull06

8 hours ago, ChubbyHubby said:

One silly question.  Do we now have to root for Cuse to win so that our win against them looks better?  That's gonna be a tough one.

We want every team we play to win so that all our win against them look better.  That is of course unrealistic but for certain we want Cuse, WVU, Marquette and SIU to do as best as they can.

10 minutes ago, bull_trojan said:

So let's say we got the option of 3 funds:

OOC Guarantee Fund: 6.7 million endowed to give 300k annually to the program earmarked to pay 3 teams 100k to come to Alumni.

Nate Oats pay the man Fund: Same amount endowed to add to his salary to keep him around.

Basketball Practice Facility Fund: 6.7 Million as the 50% needed to finance a 13.4 million facility.

Which do you support? 

Honestly the money might be best spent on the OOC fund. More marquee games, more ticket sales, bigger fan base, possibly higher ticket prices, but the resulting cash could pay for more Oats money and a practice facility.

Interesting question.  Its like what came first the chicken or the egg.  For right now until the point in which Oats leaves (hoping he doesn't) we should strike while the iron is hot and budget for maximum exposure.  And hope the funds, recruits and wins roll in.  Funds that we can then use to fund a raise for Oats and upgrades for the program.  Now is the time to lay the foundation for the near future.  However, I feel that if Oats were to bolt while he's a hot commodity we could be back to square 1. 

1 hour ago, UB92 said:

I am wondering what the line will be tomorrow.  I expect (yep) that UB will be a road favorite...maybe 1 1/2 points or somewhere in there.   Fans think one thing, but those guys know how to set lines.

http://www.vegasinsider.com/college-basketball/odds/las-vegas/line-movement/suny-buffalo-@-syracuse.cfm/date/12-18-18/time/2000#BT

According to this we are 3 point dogs. Ruff ruff.  We will see if this changes come tomorrow night.

We are ranked...14th.  No movement. We can move the needle this week.

Hopefully WVU steps up during conference play and beats Kansas in Morgantown.  They just need to jell.  Huggins is still breaking that team in and they will be better come March than they are now.  Its still a quality win (Quad 1I believe) and right now it doesn't look that way but by March hopefully it stands true.

Let em talk now, we will laugh later.  But in all seriousness I feel the MAC is gonna be tougher this year.  Add the fact that we are gonna get everyone's best effort every night, we are gonna have to fight playing down to some opponents and not bringing it every night.  That said Kent State is always a challenge bc they have some seniors and they play bully ball.  EMU is a challenge because of their zone.  Toledo is a challenge bc they have offensive fire power.  And we know their fans are bitter about last year's title game in which they didn't have Fletcher.  The conference isn't gonna be a cake walk.  Or maybe we are just so good it will be?

13 hours ago, dutchcountry7 said:

You act like the regular season is ending today.

We we are talking about one game at Marquette being huge to determine where the team is nationally.

St. John’s plays Marquette twice and all the other Big East powers. We will know where they stand at the end of the season. It doesn’t matter their OOC schedule. 

I’m not acting as though the season is ending today. Merely using today’s state of affairs as a means to discuss the non conference schedule and future seasons.

As for the St. John’s example, they have the inherent benefit of playing Marquette and other big east powers only bc that’s their conference. They are forced to play them. Therefore they don’t challenge themselves in the non conference. They get fat in non conference, pick off a few big conference wins and have a lofty win loss record and rest on their laurels. Which is what the selection committee has attempted to devalue in recent seasons. Thus trying to level the playing field for us the little guys. Bc the non conference portion is the only chance we get to face some power teams. So will we know where St. John’s stands at seasons end if they are 23-8 overall 11-7 in conference play? 

So scheduling is beginning to matter for all teams regardless of conference. And that’s what the committee is trying to establish. 

https://twitter.com/lebronstein/status/1073636041884663808?s=21

Maybe this sheds some light. Out indefinitely. Unless indefinitely ends tomorrow at 2pm he’s not playing.

43 minutes ago, MillenniumBull said:

So no thoughts on the NCAA taking control of a third of the on conference scheduling. Got it.

I don’t know how I feel about the NCAA taking control. Ultimately the selection committee holds the power. If come selection Sunday they penalize teams for not scheduleing tough games then teams will adapt. Take St. John’s for example. They are undefeated but they have beaten no one. Our resume is stronger than theirs. Therefore logically you would think we would get a higher seed. As we know things don’t always work out that way bc of money, bias or in some cases corruption. Which is why I tend to not want the ncaa to intervene as much. Let the big schools schedule cupcakes we will battle the big dogs and come March we will be battle tested.

A few things about the non conference schedule.  I'm not going to get into stuff I don't know about like how the NCAA operates or whatever.  But my observations are these...

1) UB should try to get into some of these non conference tournaments more often.  Tournaments that feature high majors not teams like Milwaukee.  I understand why we chose this year's tournament bc it would net us two home games.  But we need more exposure against high majors.  For example how awesome would it be to go to Maui and play 3 games against teams from the SEC, ACC and Big 10.

2) We should try to get involved in any tournament, invitational or classic that takes place in MSG and or Barlcays.  Lets get some roots established in the NYC Metro area.  That will help with with recruiting and revenue.

3) The MAC as a conference has to establish a conference versus conference annual match up.  Think ACC/Big 10 challenge.  Other conferences are following this model and I'm afraid the MAC will get left out if it doesn't act quick.

4) Along the lines of #3 MAC teams have to schedule better and take on challenges.  This will build the conference as a whole and potentially move it from a one bid league to a multi bid league.

5) Back to UB, we just have to face the reality that we are not going to get good P5 teams or to come to Alumni.  It just is what it is right now.  We are viewed as a dangerous team to those P5 schools.  No one wants to come here...that's a badge of honor.  It's a known fact that under Boeheim SU never travels for a true road game.  So getting them to come to Alumni won't happen.  Honestly if we beat them this year I can see Boeheim not wanting to play us as long as we are good.  But that doesn't mean we shouldn't back down from going on the road.  As we are doing this season, lets go to high majors and beat them.  Plus that helps the metrics.  And its all about the metrics. I like the idea of getting a home and home, not an in season home and home.  But we won't get a home and home with power schools.  We have to think ahead and get up and coming teams that might be good in the near future.  Example...schedule a home and home against a team that is view as being a year or two away from contending.  If that makes any sense.

6) We should keep our annual games against our Big 4 rivals.  That establishes rivalries and is good for the community and local recruiting.  Plus gives us alternating home games.  Shame on Niagara for not playing us this season.

Conclusion...of course I want SU to come to Alumni but the reality is they won't.  I love what Oats has done with the non conference the last two years but there's room for growth and more exposure.  And we may have to put the idea of a sold out Alumni for a battle of two top 25 teams for a little bit.  At least until we sustain this current level of success for a few more years. 

I was watching this game.  Houston is a good team that will be dangerous come March.  Now on to their arena...I believe the graphic said it cost 60 million to renovate and they got 20 million in one donation from Tilman Fertitta (who owns the Rockets).  It seats about 7,000 and has all the bells and whistles.  No doubt its gorgeous but lets keep in mind, they got 20 million in one donation.  One third the total cost to renovate.  Heck I wish we could just get 10 million bucks in donations for a new practice facility.  If we had boosters with deep pockets we'd be just like everyone else.  For now we have a really good team and we must fill AA 6k strong every home game.  Maybe one day we can renovate Alumni.  Or perhaps play some games at KeyBank.  We can all dream, unless someone comes in with a massive donation like Fertitta did for Houston.

15 minutes ago, mikescherrer8 said:

Wow, Ja Morant 15 points 9 assists in the first half. That guy might be one of the best guards in the nation. What a talent.

Scouts are in attendance. The buzz is he could be a lottery pick.  Would love to see him match up against our pitbulls.

Also...we should stomp this team at home. 

I’m watching the espn + broadcast of the SIU Murray state game and they said Fletcher was dressed and warmed up with the team but is not playing. He is in uniform watching from the bench.

That would lead one to believe whatever team rule he broke isn’t enough to have him suspended for much longer. Seems like he may play Saturday. 

Also we want SIU to win this game.

9 minutes ago, ed said:

 gonzaga basketball is pretty much the direction that every mid major, including ub, dreams to have as a model for their program. and they arrived there pretty recently.

Without getting into financials, I love the Gonzaga model.  And their model has hinged on Few remaining as head coach.  Which is why its vital Oats remains at UB.  Which I guess brings us back to financials.  Ugh my head.

What do you guys think about leaving the MAC for a better conference?  And what conference would it be?  

All very exciting.  And think we haven't even played to our full potential.  Not that we want to peak now but just think ahead to March (MAC Tournament) when Williams and Segu are no longer "freshman".  And can we please give love to Jayvon.  He has blossomed this season.  Just a veteran deep team.  Tough 3 game stretch that will go a long way in terms of growth and our resume.  Lets get to Cuse undefeated then we can go big game hunting.  I, despite our ranking, expect us to be underdogs against Cuse and Marquette.  Both of whom are playing much better now.  Go Bulls.  

Are students still on campus this Saturday?  I know finals are this week.  I hope AA is rocking.  This team hasn't had many home games and this is the toughest so far.  May even be the toughest home game of the season.  Must defend our home court.

This is the epitome of a trap game. Coming off a big road victory and right before a big road game against Cuse. SIU is playing well since we last played them and now they have actual game tape and experience playing us. This is another test. A game that can’t be taken lightly. 

Something to keep an eye on...SIU’s best player (Fletcher), who didn’t play against us the first time, was suspended for their last game. It’s not known how long he will be suspended for and if he will miss the game against us. I’d like to get the best shot, but that’s just me.

4 minutes ago, Jeseph said:

It’s a rivalry. We need to start winning to make it a good one.

It has all the hallmarks of a rivalry.  In state schools in close proximity, which leads to battles for recruits, bragging rights and fan support.   Public versus private school.  We play each other every year already.  I could go on.  As said above...we need to take control of the rivalry.

Quick question...Do anyone of you feel we have an inferiority complex (big brother/little brother) when it comes to Bonaventure?

https://twitter.com/verbalcommits/status/1070010723915325440?s=21

Seems we are still going the juco route in recruiting. We just offered him a scholarship. 6-5 shooting guard with multiple high major offers.

This game is all of a sudden huge.  Glad we get to play San Francisco.  Based on the excellent scouting report previously stated this could be a high octane game.  Hope CJ is ok but this is no doubt a test and would be a great resume booster.

I wanna jump in on the love.  CJ is a gamer.  You look at him and nothing jumps off the page about him, but then you watch him play and you see a leadership, tenacity (as evident by his rebounding) and a joyful exuberance.  Not to mention he's got game.  From his shooting to his handle to his rebounding and defense, every year he has grown as a player.  Which is a testament to both him and the coaching staff. Lets enjoy his senior season and hope he has some more big buckets along the way.

Wherever we can get talent that fits the system lets get it.  Canada seems to be a hotbed lately we should explore that too given the proximity.  And if we can tap into the NYC area that would be great too.  Anyone remember Jonas Jerebko?  He had signed with us out of Sweden but never stepped foot on the court.

5 hours ago, Buffalobonnie said:

That's the funny thing about NCAA basketball you will want to kill us on the 8th, but then will root like crazy for us the rest of the year.  Our win over you guys definitely helped us get the at-large bid. 

Same was said about Cuse last year and how their win against us strengthened their resume.  Which is why we should want all our opponents to win, especially in the non conference.  Its all about the metrics in case we slip up during MAC play/MAC tournament. 

7 minutes ago, hurley said:

If all goes well on Friday I really hope we get SFU on Saturday.  Team is some places is projected for 3rd overall in the WCC, ahead of BYU.  If by some miracle they beat the Zags or Saint Mary's during conference play could be another decent win.  Any idea if we'll be able to watch this game anywhere online?  

 

https://www.teamrankings.com/ncb/conference-tournaments/west-coast-bracket/?anchor=proj-standings

Definitely agreed that I hope we get San Francisco. The more quality wins the better our metrics get. As far as watching I think the games are on cbs sports network.

Both teams and also West Virginia (despite their outcome tonight) have look bad. All these teams will be better come March than they are now. However we need them to win now. Them winning will only help our resume. So while yes them losing this week might bump us up the rankings we need them to win during non conference play so that our metrics get better. 

And most definitely we can compete with Cuse and Marquette. What I’m seeing so far through a week and a half is that you can have all the 5 star freshman talent in the world but you need veterans and guard play. We have that. If our shots fall we are extremely dangerous. Go Bulls!