Bull Run: FanPosts

Keep Up with the Bulls on Twitter

2013-04-08T01:33:59Z

Got bored.

Tim/Bull Run : @ubbullrun

Conrad: @conradmostiller

Press/Blogs

@JoshWhetzel - Voice of the Basketball Bulls; @PeckOnSports - Paul Peck, Voice of the Football Bulls; @ScottWilsonBUF - Scott Wilson, Part of the UB Football Broadcast, Voice of the Women's Basketball Team

@MattParrino - Sports Editor, Tonawanda News, formerly of The Spectrum

@tonanewssports; @TBNSports

@PaulMyerberg - Formerly of the NYTimes, now USA Today. College FB guru

@JerrySullivan; @tbndicesare; @bgleasonTBN; @TBNbucky

@lebronstein - Jonah Bronstein, Once with the Tonawanda News; @Tsuj10 - Ben Tsujimoto, Buffalo.com; @QC_Sports; @WRUB - Campus Radio; @BradRiter - TrendingBuffalo.com

@UBSpectrum; @ubspecsports; @aaroncmansfield - The Spectrum Editor in Chief; @DavidSanchirico - formerly of The Spectrum; @TheRealJoeKonze - Sr. Sports Editor, The Spectrum

@NicholasMendola; @WECK1230

Teams/Coaches

Baseball: @UBBaseball

@bdcochrane - Brad Cochrane, Assistant Coach

Men's Basketball: @UBmenshoops

@BobbyHurley11 - Head Coach

Women's Basketball: @ubwomenshoops

@UBCoachJack - Felisha Legette-Jack, Head Coach

@UBKB10 - Kourtney Brown, Assistant Coach

@UBPaja - Paja Grasevova, Director of Basketball Operations

Cross Country:

@UBCoachMitchell -Vicki Mitchell, Head Coach

@ToddWitzelben - Todd Witzelben, Coach

Football: @UBFootball

@UBCoachQuinn - Jeff Quinn, Head Coach

**Something you learn when putting a list like this together... for having the most coaches the football team has almost no twitter presence**

Women's Rowing:

@UBCoachCalfo - Sandy Calfo, Head Coach

@UBCoachKanaley - Kerri Ann Kanaley, Assistant Coach

Men's Soccer: @UBMens_Soccer

@StuRiddle - Stu Riddle, Head Coach

@Codeecamp1 - Cody Camp, Assistant Coach; Goalkeepers

Women's Soccer: @UBWomensSoccer

@UBCoachBurke - Shawn Burke, Assistant Coach

Softball: @UBSoftball

@UBCoachTeague - Jennifer Teague, Head Coach

Swimming and Diving: @UBSwimDive

@SwimCoachWill - Will Bernhardt, Assistant Coach

Men's Tennis: @UB_MensTennis

@UBCOACHNAILS - Lee "Nails" Nickell, Head Coach

Women'sTennis: @ubwomenstennis

Track and Field:

Vicki Mitchell, Head Coach

Todd Witzelben, Middle Distance Coach

Women's Volleyball: @UBvolleyball

Wrestling:

@UB_Wrestling - Matt Lackey, Head Assistant Coach

@UBWrestling - Jim Beichner, Former Head Coach

Others: @UBLax; @UBDazzlers; @UBHockey;

Inside the Athletic Department / Student Life

@UBAthletics

@UBDannyWhite - Danny White, Director of Athletics

@UBJoeKepler- Joe Kepler, Asst. Director for Athletic Communications

@UBBrianWolff - Brian Wolff, Associate Director

@UBJonFuller - Jon Fuller, Asst. AD for Communications

@et_gross - Eric Gross, Assistant AD for Development

@UBJohnLambert - John Lambert, Sr. Assoc. AD for External Affairs

@UBblueandwhite - UB Blue and White Club

@UBNewsSource - UB Media Relations

Others: @UBGameday; @VictorEBull; @UBTrueBlue; @UBCommunity; @UBFootballAlum; @ub_alumni

Rest of the MAC

@HustleBelt; @suss2hyphens - Matt Sussman, Hustle Belt

@VanDelaySports; @TheMacDaily; @macreportonline

@MACSports; @PBurwellMAC - Assoc. Director of Media Relations, MAC; @KenMather_MAC - Media & Public Relations; @JGuyMAC - A must-follow; @ExperienceMAC

Official Accounts:

Akron: @GoZipsUpdates

Ball State: @BSUathletics

Bowling Green: @BGathletics

Central Michigan: @CMUAthletics

Eastern Michigan: @emuathletics

Kent State: @KSUAthletics

UMass: @UMassAthletics

Miami: @MiamiRedHawks

Northern Illinois: @NIUAthletics

Ohio: @OhioBobcats

Toledo: @ToledoRockets

Western Michigan: ???

Other Blogs/Message Boards:

@OverThePylon - Ball State

@orangeandbrown - BGSU

@FireUpChips - CMU

@eagletotemblog - EMU

@MaroonMusket; @FearTheTriangle - UMass

@miamihawktalk - Miami

@HuskieWire; @RABAttack- Northern Illinois

@SaddleUpFightOn - WMU

@LetsGoRockets - Toledo

I decided not to search for current student-athletes' handles, partially because of privacy, partially because of time/effort considerations. You can find many of them without too much trouble.

Got bored.

Tim/Bull Run : @ubbullrun

Conrad: @conradmostiller

Press/Blogs

@MattParrino - Sports Editor, Tonawanda News, formerly of The Spectrum

@tonanewssports; @TBNSports

@PaulMyerberg - Formerly of the NYTimes, now USA Today. College FB guru

@JerrySullivan; @tbndicesare; @bgleasonTBN; @TBNbucky

@lebronstein - Jonah Bronstein, Once with the Tonawanda News; @Tsuj10 - Ben Tsujimoto, Buffalo.com; @QC_Sports; @WRUB - Campus Radio; @BradRiter - TrendingBuffalo.com

@UBSpectrum; @ubspecsports; @aaroncmansfield - The Spectrum Editor in Chief; @DavidSanchirico - formerly of The Spectrum; @TheRealJoeKonze - Sr. Sports Editor, The Spectrum

@NicholasMendola; @WECK1230

Teams/Coaches

Baseball: @UBBaseball

@bdcochrane - Brad Cochrane, Assistant Coach

Men's Basketball: @UBmenshoops

@BobbyHurley11 - Head Coach

Women's Basketball: @ubwomenshoops

@UBCoachJack - Felisha Legette-Jack, Head Coach

@UBKB10 - Kourtney Brown, Assistant Coach

@UBPaja - Paja Grasevova, Director of Basketball Operations

Cross Country:

@UBCoachMitchell -Vicki Mitchell, Head Coach

@ToddWitzelben - Todd Witzelben, Coach

Football: @UBFootball

@UBCoachQuinn - Jeff Quinn, Head Coach

**Something you learn when putting a list like this together... for having the most coaches the football team has almost no twitter presence**

Women's Rowing:

@UBCoachCalfo - Sandy Calfo, Head Coach

@UBCoachKanaley - Kerri Ann Kanaley, Assistant Coach

Men's Soccer: @UBMens_Soccer

@StuRiddle - Stu Riddle, Head Coach

@Codeecamp1 - Cody Camp, Assistant Coach; Goalkeepers

Women's Soccer: @UBWomensSoccer

@UBCoachBurke - Shawn Burke, Assistant Coach

Softball: @UBSoftball

@UBCoachTeague - Jennifer Teague, Head Coach

Swimming and Diving: @UBSwimDive

@SwimCoachWill - Will Bernhardt, Assistant Coach

Men's Tennis: @UB_MensTennis

@UBCOACHNAILS - Lee "Nails" Nickell, Head Coach

Women'sTennis: @ubwomenstennis

Track and Field:

Vicki Mitchell, Head Coach

Todd Witzelben, Middle Distance Coach

Women's Volleyball: @UBvolleyball

Wrestling:

@UB_Wrestling - Matt Lackey, Head Assistant Coach

@UBWrestling - Jim Beichner, Former Head Coach

Others: @UBLax; @UBDazzlers; @UBHockey;

Inside the Athletic Department / Student Life

@UBAthletics

@UBDannyWhite - Danny White, Director of Athletics

@UBJoeKepler- Joe Kepler, Asst. Director for Athletic Communications

@UBBrianWolff - Brian Wolff, Associate Director

@UBJonFuller - Jon Fuller, Asst. AD for Communications

@et_gross - Eric Gross, Assistant AD for Development

@UBJohnLambert - John Lambert, Sr. Assoc. AD for External Affairs

@UBblueandwhite - UB Blue and White Club

@UBNewsSource - UB Media Relations

Others: @UBGameday; @VictorEBull; @UBTrueBlue; @UBCommunity; @UBFootballAlum; @ub_alumni

Rest of the MAC

@HustleBelt; @suss2hyphens - Matt Sussman, Hustle Belt

@VanDelaySports; @TheMacDaily; @macreportonline

@MACSports; @PBurwellMAC - Assoc. Director of Media Relations, MAC; @KenMather_MAC - Media & Public Relations; @JGuyMAC - A must-follow; @ExperienceMAC

Official Accounts:

Akron: @GoZipsUpdates

Ball State: @BSUathletics

Bowling Green: @BGathletics

Central Michigan: @CMUAthletics

Eastern Michigan: @emuathletics

Kent State: @KSUAthletics

UMass: @UMassAthletics

Miami: @MiamiRedHawks

Northern Illinois: @NIUAthletics

Ohio: @OhioBobcats

Toledo: @ToledoRockets

Western Michigan: ???

Other Blogs/Message Boards:

@OverThePylon - Ball State

@orangeandbrown - BGSU

@FireUpChips - CMU

@eagletotemblog - EMU

@MaroonMusket; @FearTheTriangle - UMass

@miamihawktalk - Miami

@HuskieWire; @RABAttack- Northern Illinois

@SaddleUpFightOn - WMU

@LetsGoRockets - Toledo

I decided not to search for current student-athletes' handles, partially because of privacy, partially because of time/effort considerations. You can find many of them without too much trouble.

Congratulations on being better than kansas

2013-04-07T02:24:39Z

This is surely a great day for your university and every football player that has played Buffalo football. ku football is in the next year going to a much simplistic conference called the MAC. They are going to get swallowed up in the MAC and will have to drop football. Thanks for giving Turner Gill to ku and reminding ku that their football program isn't even close to mediocre. It will be fun if they get kicked out of the big 12 and will go to the Mac, where they have to drop their football program.

Buffalo Bulls Basketball 2012-13

2012-11-08T16:06:21Z

Its finally here!! College basketball is just about to dawn upon us, which means another season of decent mid-major basketball, more discussion on whether or not to fire Reggie Witherspoon, more talk about how Buffalo is still only the 4th best program in the MAC, and roller coaster emotions from both fans and myself. This years basketball team is one that is sure to grab your attention, and possibly frustrate you at the same time.

This season, Buffalo is predicted to finish 4th in the MAC East by the very Ohio biased MAC Media Poll after finishing with the second beset conference record last year. Ohio and Akron are the two favorites to win the conference and represent the MAC in the big dance since sadly it is still going to be only a one bid conference. I would love for the MAC to be a 2 bid league, but the only chance I think there is of that is if Ohio has a stellar year that is worthy of a selection into the big dance, and another team wins the MAC Tournament. Can it be Buffalo this year? Sure it certainly can be, but I wouldn't count on it.

Buffalo comes into the season losing 3.5 very important players from last year (only 3.5 for me because Filzen was a one trick pony whose defense never really got any better, and couldn't do anything else if his shot was off). Forwards Mitchell Watt and Titus Robinson are both playing professional basketball overseas after accumulating the most wins for any Bulls players in the D-1 era. Dave Barnett was the glue to this team, so replacing him may be an even bigger challenge than replacing the athletic forwards.

This Years Team-

Luckily the Bulls are still returning 3 starters from last years team, and all 3 of them are underclassmen who will be back for the 2013-2014 team as well. Jarod Oldham will be running the PG position again this year after his exceptional year last year. His stellar defense/rebounding combined with his ability to run the offense made him made favorite player on the team last season. With an assist to turnover ration of better than 2-1, he made himself one of the most valuable PG's in the MAC. I sometimes read "I guess Oldham will be running the point this year" as if he is some terrible player with little value. Sure he is not a scoring threat and needs to improve, but on a team that had plenty of scorers around him he did exactly what you need you PG to do. Run the offense, be a leader on the floor, and get your team the highest percentage shot possible. He's a great fit for this team (as he was last years team) and can turn into an elite player in the MAC if he is able to score a little more.

Auraum Nuiriankh is another returning starter who has a lot of expectations. His diversified offensive game makes him a huge threat for opponents, but he has big shoes to fill. He is already a better offensive player than Dave Barnett was, but Reggie has typically likes his 3 guard to be more of a rebounder/defender/dirty work player. Auraum is not that at all, although he has the ability to be a great swingman. He only averaged 2.2 rebounds per game last year, not very typical of Reggie's starting 3 guard. Much of the Bulls success will rely on Auraums ability to be effective on both the offensive end, as well as on defense.

Javon McCrea doesn't need much of an introduction. We all know how talented a player he is and I think we can pencil him in for 18 and 8. With Mitchell Watt leaving, McCrea will be more aggressive this year and will have moments when he carries the team on his back. He's a solid defender who can use some work boxing out, but a little worried to see how he does on the defensive end down low this year. Watt's ability to block shots last year made everyone's job a little easier last year, so I hope Javon can stay out of foul trouble so he can be the Bulls primary scorer and stay in the game.

Will Reagan may be the best recruit the Bulls have had over the past 10 years, so based on talent alone I think he'll be an immediate contributor to this team. He's mature being this is his 3rd year of college, and he had last year to learn the offense and grow some chemistry with the rest of the team in practice. He has a tough job of filling the shoes of the MAC player of the year, and it may take him a little bit of time to show his talent since he hasn't really been on the court in 3 years. I have no doubts that he'll be the 3rd best player on the team by the time the season is over.

Tony Watson is an interesting player for this team who is going to have a fairly big role. He was brought in as a PG but a combination of his shooting ability and the fact that Oldham is just simply a better PG has made him an impact bench player with the ability to shoot from anywhere. There were times last year when my complete dislike as a player flip-flopped to me loving him being on the floor. I guess I just prefer him as an off the ball player as opposed to being on the ball. His defense and rebounding needs to improve, but on a team with limited outside shooters Tony Watson is going to be key.

Cameron Downing and Xavier Ford will both be coming off the bench this year and will be competing to be Reggie's 3rd big man. Buffalo pretty much ran only 3 forwards last year (mostly because all 3 were very talented giving the Bulls the best front court in the conference) and I have a feeling Reggie is looking to do the same this year. Downing and Ford have different problems though. Downing isn't athletic enough, Ford isn't big enough. Downing doesn't defend well enough, Ford isn't experienced enough. I don't have a horse in the race but I would prefer Reggie run the 8 man line-up of last year as opposed to his 10.5 man line-up he has in years past. One of these players stepping up will be the key to that.

Corey Raley-Ross is an interesting player. He attacks the basketball better than any guard has for the Bulls in years. His athleticism and size can make him an excellent player, but his combination of mediocre defense and very inconsistent shooting has kept him out of the line-up. If you couldn't take any minutes away from Filzen when you're that talented then something must be wrong. I would love to see Raley-Ross be an impact player for this team, but if he isn't contributing in the non-conference portion of this season then don't expect to see him take off the warm-ups late in the year.

Jarryn Skeete and Stan Wier are this years incoming freshman guards, and both have the potential to be excellent Bulls players as their college career continues. Skeete is a flashy point guard who will see some minutes early in the season, but I think Reggie is looking for more of a ball control PG. Skeete will dazzle you in the minutes he gets this season, but this is still Oldhams team to run so don't expect to see him too much. Wier on the other hand has the talent and position to be an impact player this season. Wier has the size, shooting ability, and all around game to be a Rodney Pierce like player. This Bulls team is begging for shooters and Wier probably is the best one on the team before he even steps onto the court. Unfortunately knee problems will keep him sidelined for an indefinite period of time.

Andre McPhail is another incoming freshman who has a diverse game. I don't really know too much about him, but from what I see and know he is kind of a hybrid between Titus Robinson and Javon McCrea. He has McCrea's stocky build with an attack the basket kind of athleticism. His post game needs a lot of work so don't expect to him to see much of the floor this year with more experience elsewhere on the team.

All in all this is still a very good Bulls team who would shock me if they failed to finish above 500. This team will rebound the ball very well using its size, and will play very solid defense. If Downing can be the 3rd forward then the team will always average at least 235lbs in the front court. They may not be super tall, but rebounding and solid defense down low usually depends more on weight and strength, which this team has. Plus the back court may be starting 6'3", 6'6", and possibly 6'3" at shooting guard. The 2 achilles heels for this team will be its ability to shoot from the outside, and it may lack a little bit of athleticism down low. The Bulls had an extremely athletic/offensively diverse front court last year (which made them far and away the best in the conference) to a team that may see 3 dunks all year from its forwards. Maybe I'm just so used to seeing Titus and Mitch on this team that I'm too worried about their absence. Regardless, the McCrea and Reagan will be plenty good down low and may end up being better for this team since they can use their strength to get to the rim. Getting points from the guards is my bigger worries. Raley-Ross may not even be good enough to see the floor, Nuiriankh is still just potential with a lot to prove, Watson doesn't attack the rim very well at all, Oldham isn't really out not there to score, Wier may not even be healthy enough to play this year, and Skeete is just a freshman. There's plenty of talent and diversity in the back court, but I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

This Years Team-

Hope you didn't buy those plane tickets yet...

2012-10-24T15:01:55Z

Vandy cancelled on Ohio state in 2013 and that started the domino's...

Report: Ohio State could host San Diego State in 2013
The Buckeyes have been searching for a non-conference game in 2013 to replace their Aug. 31 season-opener against Vanderbilt, which was recently canceled by the Commodores. San Diego State has apparently emerged as the most likely candidate.

Ohio State has been in talks with Buffalo to move their game, previously announced as Sept. 21, to the season-opener on Aug. 31. San Diego State would then be placed into the Sept. 21 slot or they could switch with Florida A&M (Sept. 7).

Vandy cancelled on Ohio state in 2013 and that started the domino's...

Report: Ohio State could host San Diego State in 2013
The Buckeyes have been searching for a non-conference game in 2013 to replace their Aug. 31 season-opener against Vanderbilt, which was recently canceled by the Commodores. San Diego State has apparently emerged as the most likely candidate.

Ohio State has been in talks with Buffalo to move their game, previously announced as Sept. 21, to the season-opener on Aug. 31. San Diego State would then be placed into the Sept. 21 slot or they could switch with Florida A&M (Sept. 7).

One Week in...

2012-09-28T10:09:29Z

Just some feedback on the new format Tim;

1. Very data heavy. I don't have the greatest internet connection at home, and it takes forever to load.

2. Although the layout is very pretty, it is very disjointed. Stuff is just all over the place. I miss the sidebar you used to have with links to other blogs and fansites. There is no longer a quick dropdown on top for me to switch easily between other SB blogs. The stories you posts dont remain in a sequential format, and it is a chore to come on and find a specific post, such as the Pic-em thread.

3. Android App, which I use from work, and when at games, still isn't loading right. I just get random links to select posts, and not the most recent, or even the most recently commented on.

Like I said, it is very shiny and sparkly, but not very user friendly.

Just some feedback on the new format Tim;

1. Very data heavy. I don't have the greatest internet connection at home, and it takes forever to load.

3. Android App, which I use from work, and when at games, still isn't loading right. I just get random links to select posts, and not the most recent, or even the most recently commented on.

Like I said, it is very shiny and sparkly, but not very user friendly.

Buffalo Offensive Linemen Build Team Chemistry & Gain National "Exposure"

2012-09-26T15:59:00Z

UB Linemen, Jasen Carlson, Trevor Sales, Wyatt Cahill and Dillon Guy gained national "exposure" during tonight's episode of Tosh.0. Tosh showcased funny Instagram pictures and the UB linemen were featured:

TOSH.0!!!!!!! I WAS JUST ON TOSH .0
— Jasen Carlson (@Jasen56) September 26, 2012

Sounds all good, nothing wrong with that...

If you just saw 4 naked dudes playing rockband on Tosh.O... That was me and @jasen56 @wyattc97..... Hell yes..... I feel famous..
— Big T the MC (@BIGTtheMC) September 26, 2012

naked, well, that is kind of embarrassing, but it's team building; if naked video games gets them all on the same page, and we get a 1500 yard back, then I'm all for it...

Anyone watching Tosh.0 that Instagram picture section featured me @jasen56 @bigtthemc @dillondg65 playing Guitar Hero naked! #CelebLife
— Wyatt Cahill (@WyattC97) September 26, 2012

Wait was it Rock Band or Guitar Hero? These guys aren't on the same page at all.

Edit: This is meaningless without the actual video. Maybe not so safe for work but things are blurred out...

Tosh.0
Get More: Tosh.0 Videos,Daniel Tosh,Web Redemption

TOSH.0!!!!!!! I WAS JUST ON TOSH .0
— Jasen Carlson (@Jasen56) September 26, 2012

Sounds all good, nothing wrong with that...

If you just saw 4 naked dudes playing rockband on Tosh.O... That was me and @jasen56 @wyattc97..... Hell yes..... I feel famous..
— Big T the MC (@BIGTtheMC) September 26, 2012

naked, well, that is kind of embarrassing, but it's team building; if naked video games gets them all on the same page, and we get a 1500 yard back, then I'm all for it...

Anyone watching Tosh.0 that Instagram picture section featured me @jasen56 @bigtthemc @dillondg65 playing Guitar Hero naked! #CelebLife
— Wyatt Cahill (@WyattC97) September 26, 2012

Wait was it Rock Band or Guitar Hero? These guys aren't on the same page at all.

Edit: This is meaningless without the actual video. Maybe not so safe for work but things are blurred out...

Tosh.0
Get More: Tosh.0 Videos,Daniel Tosh,Web Redemption

Buffalo's Defense

2012-08-27T18:39:37Z

I need help. My friends and I are having a college fantasy football league and I drafted a uga rb and wr (UB fans dont hate me). I'm trying to decide who to start. Anybody know what our beloved Bulls are going to try to do to stop em bulldogs? i smell upset baby!!! Write it down!!! i think they should blitz murray's ass with everybody including some secondary! aside from mitchell, they dont have anything at receiver. Our corners can get on an island and shut them down!

So where is Mitchell Watt?

2012-08-05T05:50:06Z

Gilboa/Galil tabs rookie Mitchell Watt | Israel | Sportando
Gilboa/Galil signed for the upcoming season Mitchell Watt. The American rookie spent his NCAA career with Buffalo Bulls averaging 16.3ppg, 7.5rpg and 2.3apg as senior.

Hapoel Gilboa Galil is a professional basketball club that is based in north-east Israel since 2008. The club plays in a 2,500-seat stadium in Gan Ner.

In May 2010, Hapoel Gilboa Galil won the Israeli Championship, after defeating the defending champions Maccabi Tel Aviv, by a score of 90–77 in the finals of the playoffs.

Watt had a great post season, and played respectably for the Memphis Grizzlies after being singed to an NBA summer league. Still once the rosters were set Watt did not have a place in the NBA so he joined the Israeli Super League.

Gilboa/Galil tabs rookie Mitchell Watt | Israel | Sportando
Gilboa/Galil signed for the upcoming season Mitchell Watt. The American rookie spent his NCAA career with Buffalo Bulls averaging 16.3ppg, 7.5rpg and 2.3apg as senior.

UB Home Games Announced

2012-06-07T19:45:58Z

Straight from UB Athletics

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo has announced its kickoff times and television plans for the 2012 home portion of its football schedule that includes six contests at UB Stadium.

UB’s home opener against Morgan State will kick off at 6:00 pm and will be aired live locally, and throughout the state, on Time-Warner Cable Sportsnet (TWCS).

The Bulls will battle Kent State on the national stage in a primetime matchup on ESPNU on Wednesday night, Sept. 19 at 7:00 pm.

The Bulls will host Pittsburgh on Oct. 20 at 3:30 pm. The homecoming contest will be aired live on ESPN+.

Buffalo’s tilt with Toledo on Oct. 27 will also kick off at 3:30 pm and will be aired live on TWCS.

UB’s final two home games of the season against Miami (OH) (Nov. 3) and Western Michigan (Nov. 10) will each start at noon.

Straight from UB Athletics

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo has announced its kickoff times and television plans for the 2012 home portion of its football schedule that includes six contests at UB Stadium.

UB’s home opener against Morgan State will kick off at 6:00 pm and will be aired live locally, and throughout the state, on Time-Warner Cable Sportsnet (TWCS).

The Bulls will battle Kent State on the national stage in a primetime matchup on ESPNU on Wednesday night, Sept. 19 at 7:00 pm.

The Bulls will host Pittsburgh on Oct. 20 at 3:30 pm. The homecoming contest will be aired live on ESPN+.

Buffalo’s tilt with Toledo on Oct. 27 will also kick off at 3:30 pm and will be aired live on TWCS.

UB’s final two home games of the season against Miami (OH) (Nov. 3) and Western Michigan (Nov. 10) will each start at noon.

Wickity Wickity WAC

2012-04-30T17:46:00Z

From brendanloy.com

The death of the WAC?

If the WAC dies should the MAC go after Texas State? If FAU's rival FIU leaves, could the MAC poach FAU from the Sun Belt? Could we take Western Kentucky for basketball? Could we become the first to 16?

We won't but that would be fun...games near Austin (San Marcos) and Miami Beach (Boca Raton).
Crazy Mascots (WKU's Big Red).
Being able to say we were the first to 16 ...in your face other conferences.
Helping kill the WAC and weaken the Sun Belt makes us stronger.
Recruiting pipelines in talent rich Texas and Florida.

The WAC was slated to play with 7 teams...but now it's looking like 5 again.

See the full list below

From brendanloy.com

The death of the WAC?

The WAC was slated to play with 7 teams...but now it's looking like 5 again.

See the full list below

Louisiana Tech - Reported to CUSA
UT San Antonio - Reported to CUSA

1) Idaho
2) New Mexico State
3) San Jose State
4) Utah State
5) Texas State

The Sun Belt had 11 teams but will now be back down to 9:

Florida International - Reported to CUSA
North Texas - Reported to CUSA

1) Arkansas State
2) Florida Atlantic
3) Georgia State
4) UL Lafayette
5) UL Monroe
6) Middle Tenn State
7) South Alabama
8) Troy
9) Western Kentucky

The C-USA will be back at 12,

Adding FIU, UTSA, La Tech, N Texas to:

1) Alabama Birmingham
2) East Carolina
3) Marshall
4) Southern Miss
5) Rice
6) UTEP
7) Tulane
8) Tulsa

Got sWatt? Mitchell Watt Continues to impress at the Portsmouth Invitational

2012-04-13T20:42:59Z

2012 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament: Day 2 Recap | NBADraft.net

The first of which came from Buffalo’s Mitchell Watt, the 6’10" versatile 225 lb. forward who garnered rave reviews for his performance in their opening round loss. Adding to an already impressive resume at the P.I.T., Watt put on a memorable audition for the NBA crowd Thursday by diving for two loose balls in the early going, retreated in transition ‘D’ and thwarting what may have been a thunderous alley-oop by the opposition after a teammate committed a live ball TO, and converting a crab-dribble/spin into the lane half-hook over

In terms of Numbers Watt put up 14 points, and took down 7 Rebounds.

I was dubious about his chances at NBA camps but as time goes on Watt get's stronger and stronger. Were it no for his bought with Guillain Barre several years ago he could easily be on NBA draft boards.

2012 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament: Day 2 Recap | NBADraft.net

The first of which came from Buffalo’s Mitchell Watt, the 6’10" versatile 225 lb. forward who garnered rave reviews for his performance in their opening round loss. Adding to an already impressive resume at the P.I.T., Watt put on a memorable audition for the NBA crowd Thursday by diving for two loose balls in the early going, retreated in transition ‘D’ and thwarting what may have been a thunderous alley-oop by the opposition after a teammate committed a live ball TO, and converting a crab-dribble/spin into the lane half-hook over

In terms of Numbers Watt put up 14 points, and took down 7 Rebounds.

Mitchell Watt catching fire, and attention, at the 2012 Portsmouth Invitational

2012-04-12T18:08:36Z

2012 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament: Day 1 Recap | NBADraft.net
The guy I’m most intrigued about thus far is 6’10" Mitchell Watt (Buffalo). Going 5-11 from the field and finishing with a pedestrian 11 points (1-3 from deep), Watt buttered his bread on the defensive end tonight with 7 blocks. The stretch 4 is smooth in a number of areas. On the PNR, showed the ability to roll HARD, not just roll. Also, popped and drilled his lone three when given too much space by the defender. Lefty with a deliberate release – has a seductive shot-fake that gets guys in the air. Effort guy w/ outstanding timing when he gets off the floor (blocks and ‘O’ boards). Not a great athlete but not a below the rim type guy either. Listed at 225, the MAC Player of the Year may have to show his lower body strength in keeping defensive positioning down low before an NBA team will ink him. Would like to see him prove he can consistently stick 15’-20’ footers (32.4% from 3 this year). One to keep an eye on the rest of the tourney.

He has the stage, now he just needs to capitalize on it.

2012 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament: Day 1 Recap | NBADraft.net
The guy I’m most intrigued about thus far is 6’10" Mitchell Watt (Buffalo). Going 5-11 from the field and finishing with a pedestrian 11 points (1-3 from deep), Watt buttered his bread on the defensive end tonight with 7 blocks. The stretch 4 is smooth in a number of areas. On the PNR, showed the ability to roll HARD, not just roll. Also, popped and drilled his lone three when given too much space by the defender. Lefty with a deliberate release – has a seductive shot-fake that gets guys in the air. Effort guy w/ outstanding timing when he gets off the floor (blocks and ‘O’ boards). Not a great athlete but not a below the rim type guy either. Listed at 225, the MAC Player of the Year may have to show his lower body strength in keeping defensive positioning down low before an NBA team will ink him. Would like to see him prove he can consistently stick 15’-20’ footers (32.4% from 3 this year). One to keep an eye on the rest of the tourney.

He has the stage, now he just needs to capitalize on it.

Really Scout!

2012-04-04T14:58:17Z

Against my better nature I am going to send some traffic scouts way, check this out..

Briefly skim this article and let me know if you notice whats missing..

Scout.com: MAC East Coaching Analysis & Hot Seat Status
Picture this. You’re a beleaguered athletic director with an opening at the top of the football organizational chart. Your checkbook is open, and your fan base is glaring at you with unwavering anticipation. Which of the SECs current head coaches would you put in charge of the program for the next five or so years? Knowing that your own job hangs in the balance, to which man would you entrust your future?

Yup apparently Buffalo was not worth mentioning and I can't fathom as to why?

No matter what platitudes were offered in public It was probably already pretty warm under Warde Manual. But a new Athletic Director owes no loyalty to a struggling coach and, from his perspective, does not need to feel bad about the "mistake" because he was not the guy who made it.

So if you're writing an article about MAC East Coaches on the hot seat who are you going to talk about? The only coach who might be in Quinn level dangers is Clawson in Bowling Green and at least he has goten the falcons to a Bowl game.

This, along with using a logo from more than a half decade ago, is why scout is awful

Against my better nature I am going to send some traffic scouts way, check this out..

Briefly skim this article and let me know if you notice whats missing..

Scout.com: MAC East Coaching Analysis & Hot Seat Status
Picture this. You’re a beleaguered athletic director with an opening at the top of the football organizational chart. Your checkbook is open, and your fan base is glaring at you with unwavering anticipation. Which of the SECs current head coaches would you put in charge of the program for the next five or so years? Knowing that your own job hangs in the balance, to which man would you entrust your future?

Yup apparently Buffalo was not worth mentioning and I can't fathom as to why?

This, along with using a logo from more than a half decade ago, is why scout is awful

The new CUSA-MWC conference......Trick or Treat?

2012-02-17T07:54:05Z

Its official...After months of secret meetings the alliance has formed via a non binding agreement that will bring together the 8 football playing members of the Mountain West plus 8 football playing members of CUSA in one supposedly glorious union.

What's talked about the most by the athletic directors of the new conference (alliance) is how this new conference is spanning 5 different timezones (for those unsure that is Hawaii, Pacific, Mountain, Central, Eastern) to maximize TV availability. The selling point is TV yet the new conference does not have any firm numbers from the networks. According to Tulane president Scott Cowen, there have been no discussions about what the market value would be at this point of the new TV deal only that they have a hunch it will be of more value than what the conferences by themselves were making before. One CUSA and MWC AD after another has proclaimed the alliance will have a greater per university TV distribution than previously.

The question of how much or how little this next TV deal is worth to the alliance is of very little concern in the larger picture. To understand the larger picture of the alliance first we have to assess what is the ultimate objective of this alliance; in a world where everything goes right what are they trying to achieve?

The ultimate achievement by the alliance is if they can somehow lure schools that are scheduled to play football in the Big East by 2013 to the alliance (and in many cases back). Why would any Big East football school want to move back down to the alliance? Depending on circumstances they may be forced into doing so. If Notre Dame decides to go to ACC and take Rutgers and Uconn with them while the BIg XII adds Louisville and Cincinnati the remaining BE football members will find themselves stuck in a conference that has lost its TV appeal, hence the alternative of participating in the alliance suddenly looks attractive.

So the alliance needs a cataclysmic BE realignment event but what does it in place to be prepared for the new order instead of another poaching by the leftovers? One of the core reasons UCF, Memphis, Houston, SMU all agreed to join was to share in the extensive NCAA men's basketball revenues held by the Big East. Each Big East school receives approximately 2 million dollars per school just in basketball distribution alone from the NCAA basketball tournament. That is greater than the value of the existing MWC and CUSA TV deals combined, not to mention that the Big East is negotiating a TV deal worth in the neighborhood of 10 to 12 million per all sport member. Its clear that to have any hope of attracting UCF, SMU, Boise and whoever else is left out of the ACC or Big XII during the next round they MUST build up a sizable NCAA fund and hope the BE football schools coming back will boost alliance market value.

Is the alliance up to the challenge in men's basketball? Are they going to be able to put at least 5-6 schools into the NCAA tourney every year as an 18-20 team conference with some of those schools making deep runs? The best way to tell is by looking at past history. On the basketball side of the ledger 8 of the 15 basketball playing members are coming over from CUSA. CUSA has typically been a 1 bid conference since 2005 with a couple exceptions. That one bid was usually Memphis and head and shoulders above the opposition making nice runs in the NCAA tourney but going forward Memphis is gone.

Out of the 15 basketball schools of the alliance only 4 have an RPI above 40 the typical threshold to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.

10. Southern Miss

12. UNLV

29. New Mexico

33. Colorado State

58. Nevada

60. Marshall

85. Wyoming

111. Tulsa

114. UAB

171, Rice

173. Air Force

183. East Carolina

185. UTEP

193. Tulane

212. Fresno State

The alliance has 4 schools based on current RPI numbers that are NCAA worthy. On the surface this looks like a strong alliance basketball conference is possible but when you factor in an RPI drop for the MWC schools when mixed in with CUSA plus Southern Miss is having an unusually outstanding year this looks like it will be more of a 3 bid type of a conference rather than the 5 or 6 it would need to be to start building a war chest of NCAA tournament money. The TV deals proposed for the alliance are unlikely to have much in the way of positive impact on basketball recruiting. The alliance most likely will be playing its men's basketball on Fox or CBS College Sports in one of those obscure mid major packages that nobody tunes into. There is going to be negative recruiting against the alliance as well with recruits preferring a more compact conference where they won't have to loose so much class instruction time.

While the alliance is unlikely to be successful in men's basketball it has next to zero chance to succeed in football. One of the prime problems with the alliance is the schools that comprise the western division are helpless in football recruiting.

Over 95% of FBS level recruits are found in Texas and points east. In the west the PAC-12 earns its pick of the litter on the recruiting trail and then after that BYU, Boise, San Diego State all clean up. Its always been this way going back decades and that is part of the reason why you've always had 1 or 2 top 25 teams from the intermountain region; a couple of schools clean up the remaining quality recruits. Back in the 80's some of the names were different. BYU was still BYU but Fresno had the place of Boise in the pecking order. Enough talent had started to come out of Utah to support the Utah Utes as a regular competitive team in the 1990's so by the late 2000's you had BYU, Utah and Boise State all head and shoulders above the other non-PAC competition in their region. That pattern is still in place but the alliance doesn't include any of the traditional misfit toys of the west, giving the alliance a big stack of western deadwood that is almost impossible to overcome.

Here is how the football Sagarin ratings (based on 2011 numbers) look for the new conference:

24. Southern Miss

35. Tulsa

60, Nevada

72. Air Force

79. Marshall

84. Air Force

89. Rice

92. UTEP

93. East Carolina

97. Hawaii

105. Fresno State

142. Colorado State

152. UAB

155. UNLV

171. Tulane

175. New Mexico

A traditional line for predicting bowl eligibility is a Sagarin rating of about 80, of which only 6 alliance programs qualified last year. That is a major issue if only 5 of 16 alliance schools (31.3%) are strong enough to finish with a bowl eligible record. Five of the schools (Colorado State, UAB, UNLV, Tulane, and New Mexico) were rated below 140 in the Sagarins. The MAC by contrast only had one (198. Akron) below the #140 threshold.

The plain fact that football in the alliance isn't very good could go back to affecting the number of bowl agreements signed by the new conference in the upcoming bowl certification cycle (2014-17). To be sure there is going to be some improvement in alliance football but there is no way that they'll ever be able to match the Big East or any AQ conference if the AQ exists in the future or if it does not.

Summary

While news about the merger sounds exciting and heavy anticipation looms over the next mega TV contract signed by an FBS conference, the reality is the alliance is going to be nothing than an overgrown version of CUSA. An overgrown version of CUSA complete with the continued mediocrity in men's basketball and football. Rather than lift men's basketball up the former CUSA schools will weigh it down. Instead of enhancing the football package with western timezones, most of the football schools on the MWC side will be duds.

Time will tell and performance does run in cycles but based on the level of the programs that comprise the alliance today it doesn't project well in the near term. The schools that have departed for the Big East are bound to grow stronger in their recruiting efforts and in some cases as the expense of alliance schools. For example many of the football players that are now attending Southern Miss or Tulane will be heading to Memphis and the Big East. Boise State situating itself in the Big East has almost made its status out west permanent and it will be extremely difficult for any western football school in the alliance to knock them off their mantle playing in a second tier conference.

Bulls Inconsistencies Will Get The W Tonight @ Kent

2012-02-14T20:33:07Z

The Bulls are riding an 8 game winning streak and are in prime position for the MAC tournament, but critics, myself included have seen an wildly inconsistent team. This will help them tonight against Kent State. Not that Kent State will underestimate them by any means, but Buffalo has not executed to their model play as of late. Kent State is probably confused to exactly how to attack Buffalo since no player has been exceptional as of late. Kent State has pretty solid perimeter defense, but Oldham does not necessarily have to score (per usual) he just has to continue to penetrate, and he will. Expect Filzen to have a big game today. Too much attention will be payed to McCrea & Watt will also have a solid game. Titus will be rather ineffective, but Barnett will have one of his better games of the year, due to the lack of attention payed to him. Still this game will be very close as Buffalo gets back to form and shows the type of team they really are. Buffalo should kill them on the boards, but if Kent crashes the boards this will hurt them as Buffalo is best in fastbreak defense. I have Buffalo by 6, Filzen is the player of the game. Critique away.