The season opener for the University at Buffalo football team will be played on the national stage as it was announced today that its game at Ohio State on Aug. 31 will air on ESPN2. The game will kickoff at noon at Ohio Stadium.

It will be the first ever meeting between Buffalo and Ohio State. The Buckeyes are coming off a 12-0 season in 2012. The Bulls won three of their final four games in 2012 and with the key nucleus of players returning, much excitement surrounds the 2013 squad.

UB’s game at Ohio State is the first of five games set to air on one of ESPN’s platforms. Beginning in November, the Bulls’ final four games of the regular season will air on ESPN2, ESPNU or ESPN3.

Senior linebacker Khalil Mack has been named a third-team Preseason All-American by Phil Steele on Wednesday morning, one of two Mid-American Conference players honored on the defensive side of the ball.

Last season, Mack earned first-team All-Conference honors for the second straight season, and also was tabbed by Sports Illustrated as an honorable mention All-American. The Fort Pierce, FL native had 94 tackles, including 21 tackles for loss, again putting him among the nation’s best in the category. Mack added four forced fumbles and eight quarterback sacks in 2012.

He begins his senior campaign within reach of two NCAA all-time career records as he is just 19 tackles for loss shy of the all-time national mark and just three forced fumbles away from the career leaders as well.

Mack and the Bulls begin the season on Aug. 31 at Ohio State.

Former University at Buffalo wide receiver is getting another crack at the NFL.  Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reports Rivers has signed a deal with the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens.

To make room for Rivers on the 90-man roster the Ravens cut quarterback Dayne Crist.

Rivers came into his own during his junior and senior years at UB.  As a junior in 2010 he caught 50 passes for a team-high 690 yards and scored five touchdowns.  Rivers followed his 2011 campaign by grabbing 60 passes for 615 yards and two touchdowns as a senior.

He went undrafted in 2012 but signed as a free agent with the Green Bay Packers. He didn’t make the roster and later spent time in the CFL with Calgary Stampeders and Edmonton Eskimos.

Locally born, Rivers was a two-sport star at Lackawanna high school, also excelling in basketball, where he was a first-team, All-WNY selection by the  Buffalo News a senior.  He was also an All-WNY selection at football as a defensive back in 2006.

Former University at Buffalo basketball star Mitchell Watts has earned a tryout with the Orlando Magic of the NBA, the school announced on Monday.

Watt averaged 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game under Reggie Witherspoon as a senior in 2011-12.  For his efforts he was named the MAC Conference Player of the Year. He went undrafted last year but did play with the Memphis Grizzlies summer league team. Unfortunately it didn’t lead to a NBA deal.

Watt took his talents  overseas to Israel, playing last season with the Hapoel Gilboa Gailil of the Israeli Basketball Super League.

He was one of  four American’s on the team’s roster.

Orlando already has one former area college star on their roster.  St. Bonaventure’s Andrew Nicholson was a first-round pick of the team last season. Nicholson averaged 7.8 points per game as a rookie.

The University at Buffalo men’s basketball team has signed Junior College transfer Justin Moss, head coach Bobby Hurley announced on Tuesday. The 6-7 forward from Indian Hills Community College in Iowa will enter UB with three years of eligibility beginning with the 2013-14 season.

“Justin is going to be a great addition to the program. I’m confident that he will be an immediate contributor next year,” Hurley said. “He has a terrific motor. He runs the court very well. He plays above the rim and is a very good rebounder. I think he’ll solidify the frontcourt depth next year and will be a big part of the future frontcourt moving forward.”

At Indian Hills, Moss averaged 9.5 points and 5.1 rebounds in his lone season with the Falcons. Moss shot 65 percent from the field and 77 percent from the free throw line.

Moss is a graduate of Romulus High School in Michigan where he averaged 13.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per game and was named Detroit News Class A Third-Team All-State as a senior. He helped lead the Eagles to a 23-2 record and an appearance in the Class A State Quarterfinals. He averaged 17.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game as junior and helped the team post a 22-2 record and a Top 25 ranking by USA Today.

Moss joins incoming freshmen guards Shannon Evans and Deyshonee Much who will also join the Bulls next season.

University at Buffalo sophomore forward Will Regan was named to the five-member Academic All-Mid-American Conference men’s basketball team on Friday, as voted on by the league’s Faculty Athletic Representatives. The Buffalo, NY native is an accounting major with a 3.6 grade point average. Senior Tony Watson earned an honorable mention.

Regan averaged 11.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in his first season with the team, playing in all 34 games and starting in 33. The sophomore big man peaked when the team needed him most, averaging 16.8 points per game over the final six games of the season. That stretch was highlighted by 36 points in a MAC Tournament win over Ball State – the eighth most by any MAC player in the tournament’s history and the most ever by a UB player.

Akron’s Brian Walsh, Ball State’s Jauwan Scaife, Ohio’s Walter Offutt and Western Michigan’s Brandon Pokley round out the all-academic team.

Watson finished second on the team in points per game, with 11.3, and makes the honorable mention after earning a 3.2 GPA as a management major. The West Palm Beach, FL native made 41.6 percent of his threes, the best among all MAC players with at least 50 three pointers made. He also led the conference in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.4) and was second in average minutes (34.8).

Regans Named To MAC All-Academic Team – continue reading…

The University at Buffalo has announced today it has a new radio home for Buffalo Bulls Athletics. UB has partnered with Sport Radio 1270 The Fan to broadcast football and men’s basketball games as well as other programming surrounding UB Athletics.

Sports Radio 1270 The Fan, a Cumulus Media Station and member of the CBS Sports Radio Network, airs popular national shows such as The John Feinstein Show, The Doug Gottlieb Show and Moore and Jones. The Rich Gaenzler Show airs weekdays from noon to 3:00 pm and features the best in local sports talk. When the 2013-14 athletics season begins, football head coach Jeff Quinn and men’s basketball head coach Bobby Hurley will have a weekly show hosted by Gaenzler. In addition, UB student-athletes and coaches will be frequent guests on Gaenzler’s show.

“This partnership enables us to showcase UB Athletics on one of the top media platforms in the Western New York region,” UB Director of Athletics Danny White said. “Sports Radio 1270 The Fan is an exciting new sports radio station and the CBS Sports Radio format will help us broaden our messaging to a wide audience and enhance our brand.”

Cumulus Media, which owns Sports Radio 1270 The Fan, also owns popular local stations such as 97 Rock, 103.3 the Edge and Classic Hits 104.1.

Sports Radio 1270 The Fan: New Home of UB Athletics – continue reading…

UB Sophomore right handed pitcher Anthony Magovney was named the Mid-American East Division Conference Pitcher of the Week on Tuesday. The honor is the first of his career, and it comes after a career day for the Watertown, NY native.

Magovney went for a complete-game 3-1 win in game one of a Saturday doubleheader against Toledo, helping the Bulls to a series win over the Rockets. Magovney was flat-out dominant in his start, hurling an efficient nine innings on just 90 pitches. He faced just three batters over the minimum, struck out six batters and did not allow a walk. He scattered five hits and had five innings where he faced just three hitters. Facing an offense that came into the weekend batting .290 as a team, he held the opposition to a paltry .167 day at the plate to earn his fourth win of the season.

The Bulls have earned weekly honors for the third time in the past four weeks of the season. Overall, UB has garnered five weekly awards, including three Pitcher of the Week honors. The last time the team had three or more Pitcher of the Week awards was in 2009, when Mike Stangroom and Pierre Miville-Deschenes each won two awards.

University at Buffalo Director of Athletics Danny White has announced UB’s final home football game of the 2013 season will be moved to Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY – home of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills.  The Bulls will host Bowling Green in what will be billed the “Black Friday Clash at the Ralph” on November 29.  It will be the first college football game played at Ralph Wilson Stadium since 1979 when Syracuse played Miami (FL).

“The ability to play a MAC regular season game at Ralph Wilson Stadium provides an outstanding opportunity for us to showcase our football program to a more regional audience ” said White.  “The Friday after Thanksgiving is one of the best college football days of the year and this venue change will provide a new and unique collegiate experience for our program, student-athletes and our fans.”

This is the second straight season Buffalo and Bowling Green will be playing their game off-campus as last year’s game was played at Crew Stadium in Columbus, OH.  For Buffalo, this will be the sixth different NFL stadium they have played a game in, joining Gillette Stadium, Heinz Field, Lincoln Financial Field, Ford Field and the Metrodome.

“What a tremendous opportunity for our football program to be able to compete in an NFL Stadium right here in Western New York,” head coach Jeff Quinn said. “Our fans are fortunate to have the opportunity to be a part of this experience.”

UB To Play Home Football Game At The Ralph – continue reading…

It didn’t take new University at Buffalo head basketball coach Bobby Hurley get his first victory off the court.  Just one day after taking over; a recruit that decommited when Reggie Witherspoon was fired, has decided to come back to the Bulls.

Shannon Evans, a guard from Suffolk, Virginia has decided to come to UB after speaking with Hurley over the phone Wednesday.

Just talk to coach Hurley. I’m staying in buffalo. Ahh let’s get this MAC title! #UB #bullsnation

— Shannon Evans™ (@hollywood_11) March 27, 2013

A 2012 graduate of Nansemond River High School, Evans averaged 19.0 points, 5 rebounds and 4.2 assists as a senior.  He spent last season playing at Hargrave Military Academy, where he averaged 16 points per game following a rough start.

If Evans’ decision to come back to UB that quickly upon Hurley’s hire is any kind of indication, this team is going to be strong in recruiting talent over the next couple of years.

For the record, UB only has one scholarship left to offer for next season.

Bobby Hurley, one of the most iconic figures in college basketball history, has been named the 12^th head men’s basketball coach at the University at Buffalo.

He joins UB from the University of Rhode Island where he has been serving as associate head coach.

UB Director of Athletics Danny White made the announcement on Tuesday at a 5:00 pm press conference at Alumni Arena.

“After reviewing a large and highly qualified national pool and following my conversations with some of the most respected figures in college athletics, Coach Hurley was clearly the choice to lead the next era of UB basketball,” White said. “ As we continue to foster our role as the flagship athletic department for the state of New York, the appointment of Coach Hurley sends a clear statement that the University at Buffalo is committed to bringing big time college athletics to the Western New York community and the state at large.

“Coach Hurley adds an exciting dynamic to our athletic program,” White added. “He is one of the most accomplished players in college basketball history with a legacy that includes three Final Four appearances and winning two national championships. I’m confident, after our discussions, that he is the right leader to take our program to the next level. We couldn’t be more proud to welcome Bobby, Leslie and their family to the Western New York community.”

UB Tabs Bobby Hurley As Hoops Coach – continue reading…

The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) announced today the NABC Division I All-District teams for 2012-13, recognizing the nation’s best men’s collegiate basketball student-athletes. Junior Javon McCrea was named to the five-man District 14 First team.

McCrea finished the past season with 240 field goals made and 611 points, both numbers standing as the most ever by a UB player in a single season. He also was the only player to rank in the top three in the MAC in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage and blocked shots. He averaged 18 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, and was named to the All-MAC first team for the second straight season.

With his 267 rebounds in the 2012-13 season, McCrea went over the 700 career rebound mark, making him just the fifth player in program history to reach the milestone. His 1,467 career points put him in fifth place, just 442 points from becoming the program’s all-time leading scorer.

The 242 student-athletes, from 24 districts, are eligible for the NABC Coaches’ Division I All-America teams.

The University at Buffalo will host an unforgettable night on Wednesday May 8 when UB head football coach Jeff Quinn and Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly sit down for a Gridiron Conversation to be held at UB’s Center for the Arts. This must-see special event will let fans get an insider’s view of college football as the two coaches share stories, talk football and reminisce about their 21 years of coaching together.

“When Jeff approached me about the unique opportunity to have Brian Kelly visit Buffalo, I knew that this is something our fans would really enjoy,” said UB Director of Athletics Danny White. “These two men had a great ride together, executing a vision for excellence on several different campuses over the years. Placing Coach Quinn and Coach Kelly in an informal setting is an event any college football fan won’t want to miss.”

Quinn is entering his fourth season as head coach at Buffalo. He and Kelly worked together at Grand Valley State, Central Michigan and Cincinnati. At Grand Valley, Quinn was the associate head coach and offensive coordinator. In 2001 under Quinn’s leadership, Grand Valley’s offense set an NCAA record by averaging 58.4 points per game. Kelly and Quinn led the Lakers to back-to-back national championships in 2002 and 2003.

When Kelly was hired as the head coach at Central Michigan, he named Quinn his offensive coordinator. They turned a three-win team into a MAC champion in just three seasons.

Brian Kelly To Join Quinn For “Gridiron Conversation” – continue reading…

University at Buffalo Director of Athletics Danny White has announced today that Reggie Witherspoon will not be returning as head men’s basketball coach for the Bulls next season.

“After much consideration, we have determined that a change in leadership for our men’s basketball program is necessary,” White said. “Coach Witherspoon has led this program with character and integrity for the past 14 years and we are grateful for his service to our institution. This was a very difficult decision because I understand the impact Coach Witherspoon has made to our University and community. To be sure, our program is in a much stronger position than when Reggie and his staff took over.”

White confirmed a national search will commence immediately.

This is the only statement Danny White will be making on the situation.

Will Regan poured in 25 of his career-best 36 points in the second half to lift the University at Buffalo men’s basketball team to a 76-61 win over Ball State in the second round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament on Wednesday night . Regan’s career day helped the Bulls turn a 36-30 halftime deficit into a blowout win.

Regan’s 36 points were the eighth most by any MAC player in the tournament’s history and the most ever by a UB player.

“I had plenty of open shots and my teammates found me in open spots,” Regan said. “I think when I hit those first couple threes it really kind of put them in a dilemma and we just started moving the ball really well and we were able to find everyone open after that.”

The game was dominated by standout players on either side, each who almost single-handedly willed their respective teams to victory. In the first half, Ball State senior guard Jauwan Scaife poured in 17 points on 5-of-7 shooting from deep to help the Cardinals to a lead at the break. He would finish with 28 in his final collegiate game. The Bulls were frustrated with missed opportunities, shooting just 8-28 (28.6 percent) in the first half, and allowing Ball State to control the glass for a 24-15 advantage (including 12 offensive rebounds).

Regan Helps Keep UB Alive In MAC Tourney – continue reading…

The University at Buffalo men’s basketball team held off Central Michigan, 74-72, in overtime in the first round of the FirstEnergy Mid-American Conference Tournament on Monday night at Alumni Arena. The eighth-seeded Bulls will next face Ball State, the fifth seed, in the tournament’s second round in Cleveland on Wednesday night.

“It’s that time of year when everyone talks about survive and advance and we did that,” head coach Reggie Witherspoon said. “Gritty, gutty performance by both teams. It may not have been our best effort, but it was one of our most determined efforts.”

Four Bulls scored in double-figures, led by Javon McCrea’s team-high 21 points. The junior forward, fresh off being named to the All-MAC First Team, added eight rebounds, four blocks and three steals. He shot 8-for-10 from the field.

It was a close game throughout with neither team leading by more than eight points. Central Michigan jumped out to a 15-7 lead and led for much of the first half. Struggling to get into an offensive groove, the Bulls got an unlikely spark from Raphell-Thomas Edwards. The sophomore swingman scored all of his career-high 10 points in the first half. His second three-pointer of the half gave UB a 28-24 lead. The Bulls would hold that four-point advantage at halftime.

UB Stays Alive In MAC Tournament – continue reading…

The Mid-American Conference announced its All-MAC teams on Monday and University at Buffalo’s Javon McCrea was named to the first team and while Jarryn Skeete was named to the All-Freshman Team.

It is the second straight year McCrea has been named All-MAC First Team and he becomes just the second player in school history to earn All-MAC First Team honors more than once. Rodney Pierce was named to the first team in 2009 and 2010.

The junior forward is having the best season of his career. He is averaging 17.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. He has already set the school record for made field goals in a season with 219 – 30 more than any other player in the MAC. His 83 blocked shots on the year rank third in school history for a single season. He is the only player in the MAC to rank in the top three in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage and blocked shots.

Skeete joins Turner Battle, Yassin Idbihi and McCrea as Bulls who have been named to the MAC All-Freshman Team. The Brampton, Ontario native was inserted in the starting lineup in December when starting point guard Jarod Oldham was lost to injury and his game has blossomed ever since.  Skeete is averaging 7.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. His numbers have been even better in MAC play, averaging 10.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists in conference tilts.

Buffalo will host Central Michigan in the first round of the FirstEnergy Mid-American Conference Tournament on Monday night at 7 pm at Alumni Arena.

For the first time since 2002, the University at Buffalo men’s basketball team lost on “Senior Night,” falling to Ohio, 72-69, at Alumni Arena on Tuesday night.

Buffalo (12-18, 7-8 MAC) rallied from a nine-point deficit with nine minutes left. An 18-3 scoring run put the Bulls ahead, 69-63, but the Bobcats outscored the Bulls, 9-0, down the stretch to pull out the victory.

The Bulls dominated the play inside, scoring 42 points in the paint and outrebounding Ohio, 43-22. But turnovers did in the Bulls as the Bobcats were able to turn UB’s 19 turnovers into 27 points. Buffalo struggled with Ohio’s press all night, leading to some easy Bobcat baskets in transition.

“We did a great job on the boards, but we didn’t do a great job taking care of the basketball,” head coach Reggie Witherspoon said.  “We turned it over in spurts and I think it helped them stay in the game enough to get the outcome they wanted.  And I think just experience of closing out a game in this situation were the deciding factors.”

UB Drops Home Finale To Ohio – continue reading…

The University at Buffalo men’s basketball team utilized one of its finest defensive efforts of the season to defeat Toledo, 75-60, at Alumni Arena on Wednesday night to snap the Rockets’ five game winning streak.

Tony Watson scored a career-high 24 points, including a career-best six three-pointers to lead all scorers. After missing his first two three-point attempts, the senior guard connected on his next 6-of-7 attempts from beyond the arc.

Javon McCrea pulled down a career-best 16 rebounds to go along with 14 points, three assists, four blocks and a steal. The junior forward had his eighth double-double of the season by halftime with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Jarryn Skeete was the third UB player to reach double-figures in scoring with 17 points and added five rebounds and three assists.

UB Ground Rockets, 75-60 – continue reading…

The University at Buffalo men’s basketball team grinded out a 59-54 win over Northern Illinois at Alumni Arena on Saturday afternoon. The Bulls had three players score in double-figures, led by 16 from Javon McCrea.

Tony Watson scored 14 points and continued to shoot it well from long range as the senior guard nailed three three-pointers. Auraum Nuiriankh notched his third double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

A three-pointer by Jarryn Skeete broke a 12-all tie with 12:41 left in the first half to give the Bulls the lead for good. However, a gutty performance by the Huskies prevented UB from pulling away.

Watson hit an acrobatic layup while being fouled with just one second remaining in the half. His free throw gave the Bulls a 31-27 lead at the break. The Bulls held a halftime advantage despite Northern Illinois shooting 61 percent from the field in the first half.

UB Grinds Out Win Over Northern Illinois – continue reading…

If you were wondering how UB did with national signing day, here is a video special that aired on WBBZ Wednesday, courtesy of their television station.

On it Paul Peck sits down with head coach Jeff Quinn to discuss all 18 signees.  Peck also interviews current team stars Brandon Oliver and Alex Neutz.

It’s an entertaining 22 minutes that’s well put together—kudos to Peck and WBBZ.

The University at Buffalo men’s basketball team was outscored 28-13 in the second half at Eastern Michigan on Wednesday night as the Bulls fell to the Eagles, 65-46 at the Convocation Center.  Junior Javon McCrea led the Bulls with 15 points.

Eastern Michigan opened up a nine-point lead in the first half as the Eagles went on a 17-4 run midway through the first half, taking a 28-19 lead.  The Bulls managed to cut it to within three late in the first half and following an Eastern Michigan three-pointer, UB’s Cameron Downing beat the buzzer with a layup, putting the Bulls into the half down just four, 37-33.

UB opened the second half with a layup from McCrea to pull within 37-35, but scored just seven points over the next 16 minutes.  Over that time, the host Eagles went on a 24-7 run and took their largest lead of the game at 19.  Eastern Michigan was extremely efficient on offense in the second half, shooting 50 percent from the floor and turning the ball over just once, and that came just two minutes into the half.  The Bulls on the other hand, which shot 52.4 percent from the floor in the first half, shot just 5-of-18 from the field in the second half.

Due to Eastern Michigan’s aggressive defense, strong rebounding and its half-court offensive sets, the Bulls managed to take just 39 shots, by far their fewest of the season.  The 16 made field goal by Buffalo were its second fewest of the year.

UB Offense Struggles In Road Loss – continue reading…

The University at Buffalo men’s basketball team scored a season high in points in a 91-73 win over Central Michigan at Alumni Arena on Wednesday night. Cameron Downing came off the bench to lead the Bulls with a career-high 21 points.

Downing was one of five players to score in double-figures. Auraum Nuiriankh also scored a career-high 18 points and added 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. The junior swingman was a perfect 12-for-12 from the free throw line and added a career-best five assists.

Javon McCrea had 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting, eight rebounds and blocked two shots. He moved into third place in school history with 149 career blocks.

Jarryn Skeete added 12 points and Tony Watson chipped in with 11, including three three-pointers.

Buffalo (8-13, 3-4 MAC) never trailed as it used 61.5 percent shooting in the first half to build its lead to as much as 15 points. The Bulls shot the ball well from distance early on as Watson, Skeete and Nuiriankh each had a pair of three-pointers in the first half. Buffalo lead, 43-30, at the break.

UB Puts Up 93 In Win Over Central Michigan – continue reading…