UB92

That is a glass-is-half-empty perspective! I think this ride has been educational for all of us fans to understand the inner workings of the poll and how those who vote view losses. The bottom line is that the Arizona game, the early season success this year and the high-profile pieces (in ESPN and elsewhere) have given UB's season some "mass". Thus many voters have to overcome that inertia to move UB far after losses. Of course, each loss moves us in the wrong direction. While we have the Chips at home on Saturday, we do have two tough road games in Akron and Toledo after that. Once again, everyone wants to knock off the ranked team in their building. One at a time, though. Chips at home this weekend. Go Bulls.

Yeah...that's funny and coach-speak. He is trying to pump up his players. This is going to be a game won/lost on the boards, in my opinion. If UB can keep it close on the boards (within a few), we'll have a good shot of winning this game. If we are off by 10...then we really need to be shooting lights out and have a strong turnover ratio. I'd like to see UB have a strong shooting night. Otherwise, you have to rely upon strong defense, getting turnovers and rebounds...on the road. Should be an interesting game. I hope Oats has his guys play with a chip on their shoulder. Heck...that quote up there (in bold) is grade-A locker room material for UB.

I agree with you to a point. Sure...I have my NYBI hat since, like you, I think the NY state branding is such a big prize (and available for the taking). But for a variety of reasons, it didn't work out. Now...one can either shrug and say (as you did) that "this damn Buffalo inferiority complex is getting in the way". Or think of how to solve the problem. White either underestimated or didn't factor in the negativity towards NYBI at home. Okay...it is what it is. How does one try to capture a larger market (NY state, etc.) from a branding perspective while acknowledging the longstanding affection the community has with the name of Buffalo (or UB)? I mean, you either complain loudly or try to figure out a solution. At the end of the day, we are going to have to realize that we are going to be called UB or Buffalo. How we fashion a larger name around it to include NY is fine. Heck, we already have/had it: SUNY-Buffalo. The rest is marketing. I always envisioned a lightly defined NY State map with Buffalo as a big star in WNY and the words "Buffalo -- The Center of College Sports in New York". Instead of "New York's Public Powerhouse". Or something where the NY State part is subtle...instead of the boldness of NEW YORK on the jersey or field, which was a fail.

We think alike. You win the day for me. I wonder...is there is a way for the powers that be to include Toronto in their view of Buffalo's athletic impact? I mean, it's about 2 hours away and (IIRC) has about 10x the population of Buffalo. UB profiles, academically, as a B1G school. Of that, there is no doubt. But the comparisons start to go downhill from there. Investment in athletics, facilities, fan base, what is considered market impact, etc. I think that smarter people than I am can really pitch UB in the right way that speaks to what others have called this "sleeping giant" from an athletics standpoint. Beating Ball State is fine. However, I would have liked UB to beat Indiana last night at home.

MAC requires full members to field conference teams in football, MBB, WBB and womens volleyball. So this is a non-starter if we want to field a MAC football team. Good thoughts, though. Football and the basketball teams will be packaged together. However this season ends up for MBB and WBB, the momentum is strong for athletics for UB. Khalil Mack, football success this year, Tyree Jackson, national MBB ranking. The time to have those backroom conversations is now. I hope they are happening. Buffalo can be a college sports town, too. I think that will only happen with recognizable opponents and not directional michigan schools. AAC may be a step, but I have a B1G goal in mind. I want to be around when it happens. Go Bulls.

I think the mindset of the team will likely be "relief". They survived (no other word for it) in Kent on Friday. It could have gone the other way, but some strong play towards the end won it for the team. Now...they've haven't played in three days and don't have to travel. Good news as well -- the loss to NIU, which could have knocked them out of the polls, cost them only four spots. At large is still in play. And now the students are there and the place will be loud. Other than Graves' injury, there is a lot to like about UB's chances tonight for a strong performance. I could be wrong (because you never know), but I would think it is likely that UB puts in a performance tonight reminiscent of earlier in the year. Go Bulls.

Thanks for the clarification -- I will ask my son for his sources next time!

My son and I spoke about this. He does some investigation unbeknownst to me. I think we both say #22. But there are a lot of teams with two losses not ranked, so we can have no more slip ups for a while.

For those interested, go back and watch Bertram's tape from HS. He was a big body with (seemingly) soft hands and just bullied his way since he was so much bigger than others. He seemed to have more confidence back then. At the D1 level, especially in the teams UB has been playing (and the fact that the MAC is better than 2/3rds of the conferences), Bertram just hasn't developed the quickness necessary for a big man. I mean, he could develop a niche like the Big Dog at Akron did a few years ago (he got the ball and bullied his way in the paint). I just don't see Betram having that quickness to do this at this level. Maybe he'll develop some aspect of his game (on either offense or defense) that will allow him to see the court more in the future. So...I mean...if he is in love with basketball and wants to play more, he can transfer to a less-competitive program. But I doubt it. I mean, the guy is a college student and will get a degree and move on in life with that degree. He isn't playing pro ball, so why would he leave Buffalo? He gets to part of a fantastic team, gets to play some when they need him and can provide some veteran leadership off the bench, in the locker room, etc. I may be wrong, but I think the coaching staff is looking for Fagan to move forward next year. Of course, they really haven't played him much...but that's because other guys are ahead of him. Maybe he does look elsewhere, but there will be a bunch of minutes available next year, so it is an open situation for him. I mean, when five guys that play meaningful minutes graduate, there are a lot of minutes to fill.

Last year we collapsed in the last 7 minutes at Kent in a game we dominated. It was our first conference loss. I had to listen to hecklers chirp loud during that run. Tonight...was an improvement over the NIU game. The guys seem a step slow on both offense and defense compared to earlier in the year. I guess it is the grind catching up. I expect a rejuvenated bunch on Tuesday hosting Ball State. Lock down on D. Go Bulls!

We are now at a bifurcation point for the season (unlike the first loss to an en fuego Howard). That loss to Marquette was explained away and the Bulls pushed on. Now...after a few less than stellar (for a top 15 program) performances, with the latest one ending in a defeat, I believe UB can take one of two paths for tonight's game. Path 1: The players and the coaches (inwardly...but maybe outwardly) are still lamenting the loss from the other day. Will they get an at-large bid now? How far will their ranking drop? Kent State comes out and kills it tonight, bringing great energy and UB gets down. Turnovers beget more turnovers for UB and they lose by double digits. Now we go from one bad game (and one embarrassing play at the end of the game on defense) to a two-game losing streak. Path 2: The players and the coaches reset. Oats' and the team redouble their efforts, especially in the effort areas (rebounding and defense). UB has a 10+ lead at half-time and wins comfortably. Yes...this could be a tough, grind-it-out game...but I don't think it will be. I think it will be either path 1 or path 2. Oats has said all of the right things "We can control our effort", "Blue collar teams...show up, guard people, rebound,...and don't worry about the articles written about you". "If we play with more effort, we win". But lots of people say things...whether they actually believe them to be true and demonstrate them is a totally other story. We really don't know. UB isn't playing Marist tonight...they are in Kent (who own a road victory at Vandy). This is not an ideal game to reset and refocus, but it is what it is. Go Bulls!

I kind of stayed away from posting after the game...I think most of us saw this coming with how the games have been the last few times out. Something was missing. It is clear that the team has to get back to what they were giving when playing games earlier this season. It is a long season, though, and it is very tough to do that. Kudos to those teams that figure out how to gut out a win on the road when playing multiple times a week. Forget the fouls, however. NIU shot 50% from the field...which was their season average. However, they held us to only 37% -- below our average. We should have made it up in rebounds and in turnover ratio...where we have a edge. But...we lost the rebound battle and barely (by 1) won the turnover battle. So...sub-part shooting night and we didn't win the effort stat of rebounding. That equals our first conference loss. It isn't a mystery as to what has to happen on Friday.

NIU seems to shoot the ball well. They are at 50% FG and 37% from 3. UB is 46% and 34%, respectively. NIU loses out on the boards vs. UB and turns the ball over more / has fewer steals than UB. So...it seems that we'll have to rebound well and win the turnover battle to secure a victory. It has been a bit of a mixed bag for NIU. As we all know now, having UB visiting your gym is not another game or another MAC team -- it is a top 15 program in the country coming. We will get everyone's best shot in their gym. I suspect this will be another grind-it-out game. If we are hitting our open shots...we can get ahead early. If not, we will have to lock down on D and rebound well..and try to force them into turnovers. Go Bulls. Put on a show!

Yeah...now I have to go on Twitter and troll some Kansas fans while, simultaneously, promoting UB.

Thanks. It would seem that somewhere in the $800k range (+/-) as base would be the starting point. I mean, you kind of have to do that without it even being a negotiation point to demonstrate value. I wonder if Groce's salary will still be $650k once the Illinois part runs out. It is Akron, so you never know. They just gave a guy with very limited credentials a strong salary to replace Bowden (who, I assume, they still have to pay for a few years).

I hope you are right. Media (and others) compare everyone to Gonzaga because they are the gold standard. It is what the media does. Also...the media need to write stories to attract interest. UB is the golden child for that this year. I mean, how many articles can you write about Zion? This year Buffalo (and in every other year there is some other team/teams for a diversion) is the one. Lots of media surrounding Buffalo and it will only grow as the team keeps winning and is strongly ranked. All good. I am in it for the long game. In my mind, every article on the Athletic, or the AP or Yahoo or ESPN.com brings us incrementally closer to moving to a high conference. To me -- that's where I think UB needs to go. While I would prefer we skip the AAC, it would be a good step (of course, I want B1G....UB, by many factors -- though not all -- is a B1G school --- but that is for another thread). At any rate, I believe we can think long term and act short term. In the short term...we need to keep up the momentum of football and basketball (having the success that WBB has had only enhances the package -- it is all good). Right now...we need to keep Oats in the fold. Does anyone have a list of MAC coaches' salary? That would be a good start. You would think he'd need to be top salary as an opener.

Just to put this to bed: Villanova is a blue blood. Evidence (since 1982) Received a #1 seed in NCAA tournament: 2018, 2017, 2015, 2006. Received a #2 seed in NCAA tournament: 2016, 2014, 2010 Received a #3 seed in NCAA tournament: 2009, 1996, 1995, 1983, 1982 Villanova's first Final Four was in 1939. Their last was last year. Maybe Villanova's blood isn't as blue as Kentucky or Duke or North Carolina, but they are certainly in the picture.

The love UB is receiving...priceless. Just keep winning.

A few thoughts.... The Gonzaga model is attractive. If that is what someone wants to build, more power to them. Of course, Gonzaga doesn't have to contend with have an FBS football team. Butler getting to two title games in a row is something that, these several years later, is still leaves me shaking my head. Man...they were a tough out. Didn't get rattled. Now...Butler, safely out of the confines of the Horizon League, gets to compete in a multi-bid league of the Big East. Loyola, in my opinion, is a bit of a flash-in-the-pan. Like VCU before them and George Mason before them. To lump them in with Gonzaga (as is done above) is not right. Gonzaga deserves their own classification. In the truest sense of the word, they are now an outlier. The Shaka Smart comp is interesting. Texas is a high-profile job. He is paid $3M at UT. He has made the tournament as an at-large twice in his three years there (20-13 and 19-15). This season they are a bubble team at the moment (10-6)...but just lost a close one @KU. Both of Smart's tournament appearances were 1 and done, so the expectation (as, I think, is properly mention above by Dooley) is not just they are going to make the tournament, but it is to make noise and show up in a Final Four (and soon). Rick Barnes can attest to that! In reading the Athletic article, it does give me a little more optimism about Oats staying (and the fact the that cupboard is not bare next year...from anyone's perspective). We'll see.

If you remember the EMU game, EMU had to force up shots late (and even had some shot clock violations). For EMU to win, they have to rebound strong (again) and maybe begin their offense a little earlier in the shot clock. They will get higher-percentage looks. Just those two things will make the game much closer.

There will be a bit more time to talk about this in March/April, but the number of mid-major coaches that stay with a program (especially after a season like this one) is really small. There is something to be said about loyalty, family liking the region, want to build something, etc. etc. But he is ambitious and someone may increase his pay by a factor of 2 or 3 in a snap. It is really, really hard to say no to that. If (and big if) UB was very aggressive about meeting his desires (or demonstrates action and a plan towards meeting his desires), then it becomes more intriguing. I would have thought UB would have been VERY public about their efforts towards Coach Oats, but maybe they are doing things behind the scenes. Dedicated practice facility...sure....but I think the conference affiliation is a strong driver as well. I think (without no inside knowledge) his biggest concern is having to go 30-2 every year to get a at-large bid. I think Alabama was 6 -10 in conference recently and they got a bid. That margin for error (plus the increased salary) is, I would assume, extremely attractive. Buffalo faces a big uphill battle here. I 100% believe that if UB made public statements about being aggressive in looking for a different conference, it would go a long way in such negotiations. It would be B1G news, in my opinion, and send a strong message. The time is now...

It says G-League, summer invite (and not being drafted). My son and I were speaking about this recently and we both felt he would not be drafted, but would be someone who would get a summer invite (because of his profile). If he has a stellar next two months, I could see him sneaking into the end of the second round.

This is truth. The WVU win served its purpose...UB is ranked based (in part) off that way. Sure...it would be great if WVU was undefeated (except for that loss to UB) or even a strong team, but it is what it is. But WVU winning or losing games will not impact UB as much as what they do when they play. Keep winning and keep good NET ranking (top 25) and keep in AP top 25. That would be a great recipe for an at large bid. The momentum is already there.

Our quality depth really helped tonight. Maybe we don't win that game last year...and definitely not two years ago. Gotta gut out some road games like this. We are going to take everyone's best shot. Remember...for many MAC teams we will be the highest ranked team that has played at their gym in a long time. Lots of excitement to try and beat the Bulls. Remember how excited we were when we stopped Kent's streak? Heck...fans may storm the court if they beat Buffalo at this point. That is what UB will face in every road arena...regardless of the opposing team's record. Gotta keep grinding... Go Bulls.

The line is like 16 or 17. Sure...WMU can win. Anyone has a chance. Without an effective Perkins, that chance increases. But, as we've said all year, UB has so many ways to beat you that they have some margin for error if someone (or two) has a bad night. UB may lose in the MAC (more likely on the road), but I really don't see that being the case in Kalamazoo. However...the students are back for WMU and this is the highest ranked team they have ever hosted in that arena. We will very, very likely see WMU's best on display tonight. It was a close game against EMU for much of the first half, so I expect more of that...and I expect this to be closer than the line. Every game, especially on the road, we are very likely to get a great effort from the other side (and an interested fan base to see a ranked team). It is how we deal with it that will decide what options are available to the team at the end of the regular season. In reading the comments from the WMU coach, I expect them to foul regularly to slow down the Bulls (and, I think, hold their possessions...kind of like EMU did). Expect a slower, sloppier game. Go Bulls.