If this year's recruiting class is anything like last year's, the Bulls will be in business. While it is too early to predict the success of the newcomers, it is safe to say they come with solid reputations and enough promise to keep fans interested during the off season.
In addition to Mario Jordan, who has already signed with UB, the program also signed a talented slate of three more oncoming freshmen, all from out of state.
Calvin Cage (Bowie, Md./Bladensburg High School), Roderick Middleton (University Park, Ill./Marian Catholic) and BJ Walker (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mount Healthy), all signed national letters of intent with UB.
At 5-11, 165 pounds, Cage provides an interesting blend at point guard position to complement last year's MAC All-Freshman Team member, Turner Battle. While Battle is larger and is more of a playmaker in the traditional sense, Cage is a whirling dervish with lightning quickness reminiscent of one of the best guard's to come out of the Western New York area, Tim Winn, who played his college ball at St. Bonaventure. Cage already may be the best free throw shooter on the Bulls squad, if not one of the best in the MAC; he hit on 86 percent from the charity stripe in his senior year at Bladensburg.
Middleton is a 6-3 combination guard who should be able to pick up some of the scoring load left behind by the departures of Louis Campbell and Darcel Williams. Middleton may be the most polished of the bunch coming in. At Marian Catholic, he was a 2001 McDonald's All American nominee and an honorable mention All-Illinois selection by USA Today.
Walker will give the Bulls a power presence inside. At 6-8 245 pounds, Walker's frame closely resembles that of Antonio Gates, the Kent State forward who led the Golden Flashes to a surprise appearance in the Elite Eight this year.
