Buffalo Bulls Men's Basketball preview: Freshman forward Nick Perkins

The countdown is going to come in spurts over the next month, since basketball players can't wear numbers that end in 6, 7, 8, or 9. After today, we won't have another three-day stretch until we hit single digits. Today though, we look at bruising freshman forward Nick Perkins.

The Basics

Number: 33
Year: Freshman
Position: Forward
Hometown: Ypsilanti, MI
Height and Weight: 6-8, 225

New Guy?

Yes.

Before UB

As a junior, Perkins broke out in Milan's title run to the Michigan Class B State Title. The power forward had averaged 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game during the regular season, but scored 14 or more in each of Milan's final six games on their way to a 26-3 record and first state title since 1948. The run was punctuated by 30 very loud points in the regional final against Grosse Ile.

His senior year ended in the state semifinals, but he had a double-double in that game after outplaying a pair of fellow Division-1 talents in the previous two rounds. On the season he upped his production to 16.8 points and 8.9 rebounds a game.

Further Reading and Viewing:

Nick Perkins hopes to power Milan to a second state title

Future Bull Nick Perkins named Class B All State in Michigan

Milan's Nick Perkins caps high school career with double double in state semifinal loss

2015-16 Outlook

The book on Perkins for a while now has been that he's expected to get time as a true freshman, and I see no reason why we'd think differently now. As we said yesterday, there's only three forwards with collegiate experience and then Perkins and Ikenna Smart.

Nick attracted interest from a half-dozen MAC schools and a few others. There aren't many videos longer than short snippets, but he's a strong shooter for his size and moves extremely fluidly. Rodell Wigginton and Raheem Johnson only combined for 34 minutes game last year, so even with David Kadiri and Ikenna Smart joining the mix, I expect Perkins to see time from Day 1