Bull Run - NCAA Basketball - Bobby Hurley Hired to Coach the Buffalo BullsWhere Buffalo Fans Hang Outhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48083/bullrun-fave.png2013-03-29T18:34:25-04:00http://www.ubbullrun.com/rss/stream/39145672013-03-29T18:34:25-04:002013-03-29T18:34:25-04:00Hurley on WGR
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<p>To really appreciate a Bobby Hurley interview you have to prepare to take the good with the bad. For example the good is a 10 minute interview on WGR, a station that at times seems to go out of their way to avoid talking UB hoops. The bad is that they pretty much start with talking about White's time and Duke and end with talk about this years tourney.</p>
<p>Not that the coach talking about his background is a bad thing, but it can overshadow UB. Hurley for his part does a decent job about bringing it back to UB and WGR did not go too far off the beaten patch. So what did we learn?</p>
<p>1) Right place - Right time</p>
<p>Hurley had decided to be a head coach before he was asked for the Buffalo Job, so the offer came at just the right time. After he talked to white Hurley called Coach K for advice.<br><br>2) We can stop dreaming of Duke at Alumni</p>
<p>White talked about how hard it is for a mid major team to schedule power teams. With Rhode Island they ahd to go to Pitt but Hurley thinks that might be for the best. You can get hard shots at elite teams and get a pay check for it.</p>
<p>3) The players have bought in</p>
<p>Hurley talked about having a great response from his interactions from his players. Which could be expected considering that White consulted the players on their next coach. <br><br>4) New Coaches coming soon!</p>
<p>Hurley said he should have the staff named a week or two after the final four. He has people in mind but he is not planning on rushing the process.</p>
<p>5) Defense!</p>
<p><br>Then some talk about what UB will do, and it almost certainly won't be a zone defense. Hurley Talked a bit about a zone defense and it's down side, it's lax rebounding and tenancy to make players not be aggressive on defense.</p>
https://www.ubbullrun.com/2013/3/29/4162786/hurley-on-wgrTim Riordan2013-03-27T22:36:58-04:002013-03-27T22:36:58-04:00Shannon Evans Recommits
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<p>Bobby Hurley's first big recruiting victory comes in the form of a save!</p> <p>Chalk up Bobby Hurley's first recruiting win as a head coach. Shannon Evans, who had decided to reevaluate his commitment after the dismissal of coach Reggie Witherspoon, has decided that he still wants to play in Buffalo. The re-commitment by Evans leaves UB with one outstanding scholarship to fill.</p>
<p>Evans, a guard from Suffolk, Virginia signed his Letter of Intent back in November. Evans was a 2012 graduate of Nansemond River High School, where he averaged 19 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.6 steals per game as a senior en route to being selected to the All-Southeastern District First Team and Honorable Mention All-Eastern Region. </p>
<p>He spent the past year playing for the Hargrave Military Academy under former Marshall point guard A.W. Hamilton.</p>
<p>It was a tough adjustment at first but Evans not only cracked the starting lineup</p>
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<p>"It was shaky at first. But I worked hard and now I’m in the starting lineup." --Evans</p>
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<p><br>By the end of January Evans had started 15 games and was averaging 16 points, six steals and five assists a game.</p>
<p>The change of coached threw Evans commitment into jeopardy because his decision to come to Buffalo was based largely on his relationship with the staff. Within a matter of days Evans went from unsure about Buffalo to reopening up his commitment.</p>
<p>Within hours of Bobby Hurley putting on a UB cap Evans was expressing an eagerness to reconnect with Buffalo and shortly after he announced that he will in fact play for the Bulls.</p>
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<p><img style="float: left;" class="decoded" alt="https://si0.twimg.com/profile_images/2975740722/a487baa65041c38267ee213494ed1fe8_normal.jpeg" src="https://si0.twimg.com/profile_images/2975740722/a487baa65041c38267ee213494ed1fe8_normal.jpeg">Just talk to coach Hurley. I'm staying in buffalo. Ahh let's get this MAC title! <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23UB">#UB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23bullsnation">#bullsnation</a></p>
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— Shannon Evans™ (@hollywood_11) <a href="https://twitter.com/hollywood_11/status/317045853690945537">March 27, 2013</a>
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<p>If Getting Evans into the fold so quickly is an indication of Hurley's skills relating to players then any concerns about getting the current players on board with the new coaching staff can probably be put to rest.</p>
https://www.ubbullrun.com/2013/3/27/4155200/shannon-evans-recommitsTim Riordan2013-03-27T15:47:53-04:002013-03-27T15:47:53-04:00Bobby Hurley on Mike and Mike
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<p>Bobby Hurley on Mike and Mike</p> <p>Bobby Hurley is spending a lot of time on the phone today. I'll say this Danny White's big gamble. It is certainly getting the attention of college basketball fans anywhere. The more that comes out about his ability to recruit, and the fact Weber really wanted him when his brother moved to Rhode Island also says a lot.</p>
<p>Mentioned briefly that he wanted to work with the players to get their buy in. Wanted to tell them he was eager to work with them, and that he understood how hard this time was for him.</p>
<p>What he lead from Bob Hurley and Coach K, his father. The Passion for the game and the loyalty to the program.</p>
<p>A lot of the interview was spent talking about duke back in the day. Tied it to the problems with players not finishing their college careers before moving on. It was a very informative interview about hoops in general, more so than about UB specifically.</p>
<p>Hurley's take is that in the new world the elite talent leaves early and that flattens the world between mid majors and high majors. White used the world "shrink the gap". In his opinion this makes it much more possible for mids like Florida Gulf Coast to make noise.</p>
<p>He's not a dynamic guy when talking to the press, but who cares! If he helps the Bulls break a press that's all that matters.</p>
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<p align="center">You can here this and other ESPN Mike and Mike interviews <a href="http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=9103306">here</a></p>
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<div align="center"><center> If you don't see the player you can listen to his press conference <b><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2387921/audiomikeandmike_2013-03-27-093104-6701-0-0-0.48.mp3">here</a></b> </center></div>
https://www.ubbullrun.com/2013/3/27/4153894/bobby-hurley-on-mike-and-mikeTim Riordan2013-03-27T14:55:49-04:002013-03-27T14:55:49-04:00Bobby Hurley on the Dan Patrick Show
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<p>Six minutes of good exposure..</p> <p>Hurley feels like he is ready for the challenge of a head coaching job said his brother really helped him get ready.There probably was a benefit in learning from your brother, if ever there was a frank relationship that would be it.</p>
<p>Hurely did say he had consulted with Coach K down at Duke last week before taking the job. Then</p>
<p>His states goals were standard coach speak. "School has a lot of potential", "UB is a sleeping giant". It's a lot of stuff we have heard before but I don think waking such a giant is easier than when a football coach says it.</p>
<p>What I really liked, when pressed on how to play the game. Hurley talked about wanting to maintain an exciting style but he wanted to give the players freedom within their abilities. The system should be built around the players creativity and ability.</p>
<p>Hurley comes off as a bit low key during interviews but from what I hear of him that's the opposite of what you will see court side.</p>
https://www.ubbullrun.com/2013/3/27/4153784/bobby-hurley-on-the-dan-patrick-showTim Riordan2013-03-26T22:39:06-04:002013-03-26T22:39:06-04:00UB Hoops Czar On Hurley
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<p>Brandon who helped Bull Run get it's start back in 2009 weighs in </p> <p>Well it's the beginning of a new era for UB basketball...and regardless of if you think it's a good hire or bad hire UB has made a splash. Bob Hurley, former All-American Duke point guard has been named the new men's basketball coach for the University at Buffalo. Good hire? Hard to say as today is day 1 and we haven't seen any results, but I think this is a very good hire for the University at Buffalo<br><br>We have to try to be completely unbiased in regards to how we view the new hire, because I know many of us loved Reggie and didn't want to see him go. I always fell a little on the pro-Reggie side of the fence but the doubt of if he was really going to get UB over the hump was always slightly present. He didn't recruit very well, was always poor in regards to late game situations, and sometimes seemed more interested in constantly trying rotations of players instead of doing what is best for winning the game right in front of you. He loved the University, loves the city of Buffalo, and I don't think he would ever leave if offered a bigger job, but the Reggie era is over. I was a big fan of Reggie's offense, and often seen it as one of the best in the country, but he was never able get his teams over the hump. Remember the lead he blew in the MAC final back in the 04-05 season? Remember how his team pretty much didn't show up for the MAC final back in 08-09? Remember how he failed to reach the MAC tournament Championship 2 years ago with what was probably the most talented team in the MAC and the best mid-major front court in the country? Sure he's a great guy, great for the student's, always cared about the students and made sure they did things the right way, but his results always screamed mediocrity. College basketball is results based business, and 14 years of not making the tourney is going to get you fired in the world we live in.<br><br>Now in order correctly opinionate (odd word choice, I know) about the new hire we have to forget about the fact that Reggie was fired. If Reggie was the coach of Buffalo for next season they would probably be the 3rd or 4th best team in the conference, and with 5 seniors on next year's roster you would think that Reggie would be around at least another year. But he's not getting that chance. So think as if Reggie resigned, how would you feel about this hire?<br><br>First off, many of us sports fan want to be a part of a University that is always looking for the best, and always looking to win so that we can see our school ESPN and all over sports world. The University at Buffalo has done that over the past 7 years with its hires of Turner Gill, Jeff Quinn and Bob Hurley. So I think we all have to respect that. In regards to this specific hire, we as fans can't really complain. I personally fell in love with the idea of Turner Battle being at the helm of this basketball team. A guy who is very close to the University, hard worker with decent experience, someone who cares about Buffalo and its players, isn't looking to use Buffalo as a stepping stone for bigger and better things...but hiring Turner Battle just wasn't happening.<br><br>Bob Hurley comes from a very rich basketball family in terms of its basketball history. Hall of fame coach as a father, played at an extremely high level for Coach K over at Duke, and has both NCAA and NBA experience at different levels. He is an extremely hard worker, and has always built his success off of that as well as understanding the game. He is always motivated, and is going to do everything he can to make this team win, and very importantly he will do it the correct way. I think if he has some immediate success (lets say a tourney bid over the next 3 seasons) he is going to jump ship and leave for greener pastures, but he would then have every right to do so. I would prefer a guy who is going to stay around<br><br>for the long run, but I don't think that Bob Hurley. One small thing that I like about this hire (and blame it on my biased from where I am and where I'm from) but he's going to recruit in the NYC metro area, which is where the heart of basketball talent is. Reggie never seemed to have any interest in that, but through his father's program and players as well as his own recruiting contacts Bob Hurley is going to bring some NYC recruits up to Buffalo.<br><br>It's sad that Reggie is gone, and the timing of it seemed a little questionable given the experience of the team returning next year but this is, but it is what it is. The University at Buffalo went for a big name who hasn't coached his own team yet just (feels a little like the Turner Gill hire) and this University has had success with it in the recent past. The team that is returning is not one that suits Bob Hurley's style of coaching, but he has a hungry team that is aching to make the tourney next season. Let's see if Bob is the guy to bring this team to the next level.</p>
https://www.ubbullrun.com/2013/3/26/4151458/ub-hoops-czar-weighs-inBrandon Harris2013-03-26T19:33:45-04:002013-03-26T19:33:45-04:00Jeff Quinn Welcomes Coach Hurley
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<p>Coach Hurley,</p>
<p>I am delighted to welcome you into the UB coaching family. When I arrived, your predecessor gave me a few words of advice about winning at home and trying to finish in the top five of the conference and developing players, and I have to admit, all of his advice was crap. I did none of that and I'm still here, I'm still standing, and he, well he's gone. So I thought I would give you my Jeff Quinn Next <strike>Bearcat</strike> Bull In certified ten step plan to success.</p>
<p>1) Alienate your star. I ignored that lump Zach Maynard, and was free to find and develop my own Quarterback. Licata Time baby. You got that kid McCrea, text him and tell him you're moving him to Point Guard and then never return his calls or texts.</p>
<p>2) Reject all current recruits. This fanbase will attribute all successes for three-four years to Reggie, so start supporting the "bare cupboard" defense by rejecting the entire recruit class.</p>
<p>3) Slogan! Change UB True Blue to the Buffalo Berserkers, it's like Duke's Cameron Crazies but it's Buffalo...never let them forget you're from Duke.</p>
<p>4) Speaking of...book Coach K for the season tipoff luncheon, better get on that, I hear he's hard to get.</p>
<p>5) Change the Uniforms, if you change the uniforms they will be forced to stop showing old highlights, which comes in handy just in case your teams have no real highlights.</p>
<p>6) Study real hard to beat Ohio, like once...trust me, one Ohio win is worth like seven MAC wins</p>
<p>7) Repeat after me: "it's part of the process"</p>
<p>8) Lighten up that schedule...no one remembers S.O.S. during extension renegotiations.</p>
<p>9 Speaking of extensions, it's never too soon to ask for an extension, get back to that renegotiation table.</p>
<p>10) No subs, run your starting five 40 minutes a game, every game, it's not your fault if your good players breakdown.</p>
<p>Best of luck as you take over in the coming months,</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Jeff "Jafar" Quinn</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Head Ball Coach</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Buffalo Football</p>
https://www.ubbullrun.com/2013/3/26/4150720/jeff-quinn-welcomes-coach-hurleyConrad Mostiller2013-03-26T18:21:49-04:002013-03-26T18:21:49-04:00First Reactions After the Press Conerence
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<p>After seeing Hurley in action I'm slightly less "less impressed" and a bit more optimistic!</p> <p>Any regular readers of this site know I don't have much in the way of a filter. I don't sleep on anything I write, heck I don't even proof read most of the content that goes up here (Not really paid you see). So my initial reactions to Danny White's hire was, well, not good.</p>
<p>Then I watched the press conference and the boiling rage was somewhat ameliorated. My concerns all still hold but I am seeing some of the upside people are talking about. </p>
<p>For one the guy knows the point guard position and UB happens to have a pair of very good point guards who need the mentoring. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/175509/jarryn-skeete">Jarryn Skeete</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123272/jarod-oldham">Jarod Oldham</a> can each really benefit from Hurley's experience. It's one thing to know it and another to coach the team but in terms of 1:1 mentoring for our guards White could not have done a lot better.</p>
<p>The other concern I had was recruiting. But Hurley is connected with some great prep schools and has a name which could really get recruits to respond. Shannon Evans, who reopened his commitment after Witherspoon was let go, seems genuinely excited about the hire. On Twitter he has indicated that he is not only open to reconsidering his future at UB but is eagerly awaiting "a call"</p>
<p>Next year Hurley will have one of the most talented teams in the conference, and definitely one of the more experienced teams in the MAC. Hurley was brought in because White did not think Witherspoon could get UB to the next level with that amount of talent. Hopefully Hurley can!</p>
https://www.ubbullrun.com/2013/3/26/4150536/first-reactions-after-the-press-conerenceTim Riordan2013-03-26T16:27:25-04:002013-03-26T16:27:25-04:00NCAA Basketball - Bobby Hurley Hired at Buffalo
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<figcaption>Dan is going to have to hire someone to replace his Brother. | Peter Casey-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The decision is in and... We are not amused...</p> <p>Here is what I had to say about Bobby Hurley a few days ago when Channel two put him on a short list.</p>
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<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph8">Let's see... Complete lack of head coaching experience and a whopping three years of assistant coaching experience at schools that are no more relevant the UB. Let's put it this way, Turner Battle has a resume that blows this guy out of the water!</p>
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<p class="pgh-paragraph">Now the News, the spectrum, and the collective intelligence of Twitter tells me Hurley is in fact our new coach.</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph">I know, I know he played at Duke and has shared a table with Basketball Royalty. Playing for Duke makes you no more qualified to coach a division one team than sleeping at a Holiday Inn. The guy has a more established track record owning race horses and singing than coaching. This is a wholly underwhelming hire.</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph">In fact it was not until he was being sued for defaulting on a loan used to purchase a horse that he jumped into coaching. He was hired by a team his brother coached and moved, with his brother, to Rhode Island a year later. That's his coaching experience... No really! Thats *all of it*.</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph">Here is everything about coaching on his page at GoRhody..</p>
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<p><b>Bobby Hurley begins his first season as a member of the men's basketball coaching staff at Rhode Island, serving as the team's associate head coach.</b><br><br><b>Prior to arriving in Kingston, Hurley spent the previous two seasons as an assistant coach at Wagner College as a member of his brother Dan's coaching staff.</b></p>
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<p>Now all of this being said maybe this is a hidden Gem of a coaching talent in a two years or so we will be toasting the genius of Danny White. I don't count being a great player as making you coaching material but White knows hoops and has to know this decision could make or break him with Buffalo.</p>
<p>But Hurley has a whopping two years of recruiting experience, and no head coaching experience.</p>
<p>I've asked Brandon, our hoops czar from some years back to weigh in on this because he knows College hoops better than I do. Heck I was not thrilled with Coach Jack but she is doing a great job turning the Women's team around. So while we wait for Brandon does anyone want to talk me off the ledge here?</p>
https://www.ubbullrun.com/2013/3/26/4150106/ncaa-basketball-bobby-hurley-hired-to-coach-the-buffalo-bullsTim Riordan