2016-17 Buffalo Men’s Basketball Previews: Nick Perkins

He came alive at the end of last season to show his true potential. Nick Perkins has the opportunity to be one of the most important pieces to Buffalo’s offense this season.

The Basics

Number: 33

Year: Sophomore

Position: Forward

Hometown: Ypsilanti, Michigan

Height: 6-9, 260 lbs.

New to Buffalo?

Nope

UB Career

Because of the lack of experience on UB’s roster last season, Perkins was immediately thrown into an impact role and played in all 35 games last season. Although he averaged a solid 7.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, Perkins looked out of place. Often times he’d miss many crucial defensive assignments. By the time the MAC tournament rolled around, Perkins started gaining momentum. In the MAC Championship Game, Perkins put on the best defensive performance of the entire season over Akron’s Isaiah Johnson. When the Bulls won the MAC and received a bid to the NCAA tournament, Perkins shocked the nation by throwing down 20 points versus Miami (FL). Miami’s head coach Jim Larrañaga scrambled at half-time to make defensive assignments to guard Perkins from the three-point line—something he rarely has to do with forwards in the ACC.

Further Reading and Viewing:

Buffalo Bulls Men's Basketball ekes out overtime win over Canisius, 98-96

After a late seven-point lead evaporated, freshman forward Nick Perkins was involved in a pair of critical final-minute plays - one only after a game-tying three-pointer from Jarryn Skeete - and the Buffalo Bulls came out on top of an emotional 98-96 overtime win against crosstown rival Canisius.

Milan’s Nick Perkins “not going anywhere” as Buffalo loses coach Bobby Hurley to Arizona State

But the only way Perkins sees himself revisiting his commitment is if Oats wasn’t part of Buffalo’s coaching staff at all next season.

I love the above article because it shows how much people want to play for Oats and the system he utilizes.

2016-17 Outlook

We saw great things from Nick last year, but you’re getting a new and improved version of him this time around. Perkins has slimmed down a bit and put on a lot more muscle over the off-season. He clearly looks like he’s in the best shape of his life and it’s paying dividends. His defense is stronger and his ability to shoot the three ball is the highest it’s ever been (in fact, it’s better than some of UB’s guards). Perkins is going to be a serious matchup problem because of that shooting ability. He’s going to be able to stretch the floor and open up so many opportunities for the Bulls because of it. I would not be surprised to see his scoring output double this season to 15 points per game.