zigo230

12 minutes ago, skrabukes said:

What makes you believe that? I am not sure that I feel the same way at this very moment.

Only because we've lost coaches before and come back strong.  But yeah, it's a worry for sure.

Jeez,  Taste some success and instead of continuing to build... these coaches  just bail for more money and higher profile programs.  What happened to loving UB,  the best people-best program, etc.?

Anyway,  half-kidding here.  It's just upsetting to have our basketball program gutted in a day... but they will be fine in the long run.   

It looks desolate there. Not homey. But I’m sure his family are in shock. That kind of quick move will take some time to sink in.

Tonight the University of San Francisco promoted their associate coach to head coach.  He’s only 33. 

One thing for sure, in a couple years when UB is an 11 seed or whatever in the tourney, the NCAA will have ‘Bama and Oats sitting right there in the same pod.  

Saw some footage on Twitter of Nate and his family getting off the plane in Tuscaloosa this evening. So weird seeing that... and some fans lined up at the fence to say hello. It just seemed awkward.  Here one moment, gone in a flash.

I think (like Hurley) he will have to deal w the fact that every SEC program has amazing athletes and he won’t win by being the most athletic team on the court.  You could definitely dominate the MAC that way, but not the SEC.  so it will be interesting to watch ‘Bama hoops and see where this goes ..

What a rough few days. Lose a big game in an ugly fashion, lose our great seniors, then lose the coach that made it all work. Dang. What a gut punch today. 

I feel like the UB job has moved beyond the point of hiring a new coach to cut his teeth here. This should be a destination job for someone proven at a high level.  I could buy into Hodgson only because he’s been here and knows all the players and incoming recruits. So maybe he could maintain what we have.  I could buy another flashy hire like Hurley or a Johnny Dawkins type. An up and comer who wants to prove themself but also has a name that people recognize and get excited about.  Otherwise I like the idea of a P-5 coach who wants another chance to prove himself  

I don’t really want any of these teams to win it all. But I guess I could live with Gonzaga or Texas Tech (only because they hammered us and it would make me feel a little less salty about it).

We often hear that Nate hopes UB can someday be Gonzaga of the East.   I wasn't sure what that meant other than wins on the basketball court.  I heard an interesting radio interview yesterday with a basketball insider guy (not sure who it was).  The question to him was why is Gonzaga able to maintain their excellence. How does Mark Few do it?  He said kids line up to go there because for one thing, their overall basketball facilities blow away any program in the Pac-12.  He said they charter everywhere and the food is gourmet across the board. Just a first class place to play hoops, probably the finest in the country.   The athletes that get picked by Few don't mind beating up on the lesser competition in the WCC. As long as they get great preseason tourney experiences in Florida, Bahamas, Hawaii, Vegas, etc..  They know playing their conference schedule the Zags will be in the NCAA's and have a great chance for a long run. That's the ultimate payoff.

Wasn't sure where to post this..  just thought it was interesting in reference to where UB Hoops is trying to go.   I realize being a State University comes with a whole different set of realities over a private institution.  

So anyway, I hope Oats continues to say NO to other programs that come sniffing around. 

Was hoping we would push them like UCF pushed Duke. Unfortunately the Bulls didn’t give TT or their fans much to worry about tonight.  

The narrative will be, they were a nice little MAC team... now go away and let the big boys play. But really the Bulls are a very good team and will hang with anyone on most nights.  This specific matchup turned out to be a bad one.

looking forward to next season! 

Really impressed with the women tonight. What an effort after getting down so much early.  They outscored UConn on their home court over the final 3+ quarters. Didn’t see that coming 

We haven’t scored in about an hour of real time. Omg

Well, on the glass half full side- maybe Oats’ phone is not ringing off the hook after this.

Ugh. All the backwards crazy passing.  Nothing happening.  I guess that hyped up TT defense is as good as advertised. They might be a sneaky Final 4 club. 

This sucks early. We’re not even playing?!?! Cmon boys! 

Some folks on the TT board think UB is full of themselves and have no respect for Big12 basketball.  Not sure which press quotes they are referring to.  But whatever,  this will be tougher than any MAC opponent. I think we all know that and the players too.  But everyone has to feel confident otherwise you lose the game before you even step on the court 

If the Bulls enter the 4th qtr with a legit shot at UConn, that in itself will be considered a win. Here’s to wishing 

The Bob Hurley death stare as the first half ended 

Wow, just a fantastic afternoon 

Graves and Carruthers suck so far. Cmon guys 

It’s ok to be nervous and anxious.  Even fans of UNC, Duke, Virginia, etc.. are nervous come tourney time regardless of the opponent. Let’s get it going, Go Bulls!

1 hour ago, JoeyRattlesnake said:

I'm not sure why, but I have an awful feeling in my stomach.  I think I like being the little-guy more than the favorite.  I think the guys are prepared and more than capable, but we've all see too many 11's get hot after that play-in game (see Syracuse 2018).

 

Any one else feel similarly?

I hear ya.  Was rooting for Belmont and St. Mary's yesterday because you know one of these 11 seeds are gonna win a game.  Neither came through so now we have to sweat this out!  

3 hours ago, xDerekRx said:

Two of my favorite days of the year! First 2 of the NCAA tournament. Best perk of working for myself has always literally been having these two days open. Although I always think its fun for those of you with desk jobs  with all the streaming games on one of your monitors. Always seemed like fun.

That's what I'm doing.  Since I have my own office it doesn't matter but the March Madness stream on CBS still has the Boss Button.  Always cracks me up to see that.

I saw St.Johns a couple times this year and they looked really good in those games.  I like them to win this game vs. ASU.... we’ll see soon enough 

12 hours ago, UBigbobby said:

I listed to Howard and Jeremy this morning.  Only talked UB men and women for at least an hour and a half.  It was the main topic of their show.  On the drive home WGR were talking 100% UB Bulls.  Talking matchups with ASU or St. Johns.  Every single caller wanted to talk about UB.  Talking about the recruits coming in next year, and the the long term possibilities.  

Basically, the Bulls were being treated like a legitimate companion to the Bills and Sabres.  There was a discussion on who you think the most important Sports personalities in Buffalo are.  Many people felt #1 was either Eichel/Dahlin or Josh Allen.  #3 or #4 was Nate Oats.

I will admit I don't know what Schopp and Bulldog talked about.  They have previously said they do not follow basketball (college or NBA) at all, so i don't know if they tried to talk UB or instead debate which third string tackle the Bills should sign next.

This may only last until the weekend, but never, at any point did I think UB basketball could be more than a weekly interview of Nate Oats on Howard and Jeremy and a 5-10 minute segment.  To see basically the entire day dedicated to actual discussion of the Bulls was fantastic.  

At work today I had people talking to me about the Bulls because they know I'm a fan.  One colleague started a water cooler discussion about how she loves CJ and doesn't understand how Jordan can be so bad at freethrows.  She's a Buff State alum and her husband went to Canisius.  She has 0 UB connections.

Great to hear the radio heads and community talking UB for another postseason.  Howard generally knows UB sports the best and can have a good conversation about the program...football, mens hoops and women's.   Schopp had Nate Oats on his podcast a few months ago for a long chat about sports and family stuff.  They both live on Grand Island and seemed to know each other off-air.  So the WGR guys do have a healthy respect for the only consistently winning program in town.

As coach said,  when you play in the MAC (and mid-majors in general)...there aren't many quality wins to be had out there., only BAD losses.