UB92

10 hours ago, weareub46 said:

To me a move to the AAC would be perfect however that comes with the idea that all the current teams stay. It's clearly a step up from the MAC. Yea travel expenses would be more but it's not so crazy geographically with UCONN Temple Cinci...

It's nice to have this conversation but it's going to take multiple years of success. BBall has been getting consistent (we'll see how this season goes) but one good year of football isn't enough. We need sustained success to be considered. I get that it's nice to be atop the MAC for now but the whole dream of everyone here and all UB athletics fans is to get to bigger and better places and start becoming one of those big sports schools. 

I was speaking to two guys in front of me at the Rutgers game who were talking about how they still don't get the full amount of money as the other BIG10 schools for another couple years and things have obviously been tough. Even my sister and her friends who went to Rutgers are all down on the fact that they don't win anymore. I 1000% disagree though. They literally completed the dream every mid-major has and made it to a P5 school. Yea, things will be tough and for a while but eventually the TV time, payouts, recruiting etc. is going to make their teams better. Now they at least have a chance (way) down the line to compete for a football national championship. THAT IS THE DREAM!!

To me a move to the AAC would be the most logical next step up. The quality of schools is way better, the competition and notoriety is better and would be a massive step to make this athletics program better. Whether or not the AAC feels Buffalo would fit is out of our hands but I don't understand how this wouldn't be the ideal situation to get bigger and better. The ultimate goal is likely for UB to somehow make it to the BIG10. Would make most sense geographically in a P5 conference (I guess maybe ACC but not really..) and the only way to start making moves towards that is to get in a better conference than we are now. No P5 school will ever take a school from the MAC.

These are the things I think about sitting in bed at night. Not saying we are necessarily worthy to move up yet...just that it's the dream.

Over the years here at UBFAN, I have written many different versions of this same post...with names or conferences changed.

The first step is to win, consistently.

The second step is to be at the right place at the right time.  

Being successful at Step 1 increases the likelihood of Step 2.  But you can't get to Step 2 without Step 1.

Having followed UB sports (especially football and basketball) for almost 30 years, the two biggest things to happen to put UB on the path towards Step 1 was hiring Gill and Hurley.

The hug after the BSU MACC between Gill and Manuel...there should be a picture of that (large size) somewhere in Alumni.  It signified a step change.

Finally making the NCAA basketball tournament was another step change.

Now we have to win and win consistently.  Beating WVa in a true road game helps establish that consistency in many different ways.

Though I am not in Buffalo, I will wear my UB gear today proudly.

Go Bulls!

This is a bit off-topic, but I was looking through some of the scores of the D1 games last night.

UNC went to Wofford (a team they lost to on their home court last year) and won (though the game was tied in the second half).  Kudos to UNC for playing a true road test against a regional team in a small gym as their opening game.

Double kudos to UNC...they travel to Elon on Friday to play in their HS-sized gym.   Before November is out, they even travel to Michigan for another true road test.    

We all hear how hard it is for mid-majors to get top teams to play in their gyms, so UNC should be acknowledged for this.   Contrast that with Syracuse...who will never travel to a small program and only go to someone else's gym sparingly in OOC (Columbus this year, Georgetown last year, Wisconsin two years ago, etc.)

7 hours ago, Kevin said:

I’ve been told by the coaching staff to watch for Fagan. He’s honestly projected to do big things. Might we see a step up for Brock too? Eapically since the MAC lost some of its forward talent. 

It seems clear that Fagan is going to give UB minutes down low this year.  Maybe he plays the Smart role and/or compliments McRae and Bertram.  Mid-range, likely not alot for Fagan, but he will shoot the 3 and, it seems, can finish at the rim.   I think Fagan will be more of a producer on the offensive side than Smart, McRae or Bertram, especially in transition.   Let's see what happens on the defensive side of the ball for Fagan.

I looked through Cadwell's timeline on Twitter.  Ran 5:28 for the mile.  I don't know about his basketball talent yet, but I suspect he won't get tired running up and down the floor!

3 hours ago, promotherobot said:

Best hope, better bowl games, ones tied to larger conferences, need teams to fill-in. How great would a Pinstripe Bowl against Syracuse be?

It will be a big longshot for the Pinstripe Bowl not to fill.  I believe there are lower-tier bowls with one P5 tie-in that may be in play.  If UB has a gaudy record, maybe they can get one of those.

App State is ranked this week..at 5 -1.   UB did not get a vote at all (not one vote!) from the AP (neither did Army).   UB needs to send some propaganda to the AP voters to get on the radar.

The best thing about this was that Nick Perkins played!!!

Another site with a good write up.

https://www.three-man-weave.com/3mw/mac-basketball-preview-2019