Turner Leads the Bulls into Battle

To his teammates, it might as well be "LeadUsInto." Ask him, and he'll tell you it is "FollowMeInto."

Actually, his middle name is Anthony. However, if the Bulls are to emerge victorious from the season-long war for the Mid-American Conference championship, overcoming the many battles along the way necessitates a sound and confident leader.

In steps 6-3 Turner Anthony Battle, has now, in his junior season, fully embraced that role with the utmost maturity and appreciation for the responsibilities it entails.

"Being a leader on the court, you have to show it by being vocal and your game has to show it too," said Battle. "And by being a leader, you have to be one of the hardest working players on the team, in addition to being a great communicator."

A top 100 recruit out of East Forsyth H.S. in Kernersville, N.C., Battle once participated in the Adidas' annual ABCD summer camp, an ??ber-talented recreational tournament that has previously showcased the likes of Lebron James, Stephon Marbury and Tracy McGrady. And considering Big East scouts from Pittsburg and Virginia Tech recruited him, one may be inclined to ask: Why the MAC, and why UB?

"When you get recruited, a lot of coaches will be dishonest," stated Battle. "I can say that the coaches here at UB were the most honest. And when I came up here on a visit, it felt like home. I wanted to go to a place where I felt comfortable, and right here is where I feel comfortable."

Being a high school basketball standout with the very real possibility of turning the game he loves into his career, Battle credits his parents, Richard and Brenda, for his notable headiness both on and off the hard-court.

"My parents always taught me that education was first," stated the Academic All-MAC point guard. "My dad, being a college basketball player, taught me pretty much all he knows, and I've evolved from him. My mom played as well. So from a basketball background, we are a very close family."

First and foremost, Turner's primary goal is to lead this year's team to the MAC East title. But, after the 2004-05 season, he will fall under the distinction of UB alum. When asked what his plans were post-graduation, the well-spoken Battle responded in his usual mild mannered voice, without any cockiness or brass remarks.

"My ultimate goal is to get to the NBA," said Battle. "But as you know, and as I know, it is hard to get there. I would love to play professionally over-seas, or possibly the NBDL. But, after all that, I want to coach college basketball. That's always been a goal of mine."

Realistically, Battle exhibits the skills it takes to play beyond college, and fans here at UB are thrilled to have him as a Bull. Landing a top-100 recruit like Battle will only lead to positive things for UB down the road. It has been something the football team has yet been unable to do.

So what would Battle tell another top recruit if he was interested in playing at UB?

"I would tell them that they have the opportunity to play big-time college basketball. I consider the MAC a big-time college conference because we compete every year, and we win games in the tournament every year ... we have the same opportunities as any other conference. We just don't get as much publicity."

The Bulls this year travel to Big East Rutgers on Tuesday and then host Big Ten Penn State on Saturday, Nov. 29. Buffalo will also compete in the second annual ESPN bracket buster on Saturday, Feb. 21, where Battle and the Bulls will look to garner some of that publicity that has, for awhile now, been elusive to UB.

5 Random Questions

1.) Nike or Reebok?

I'm a Nike guy. Definitely.

2.) One possession left, you're down by two. The ball is in your hands, do you drive for an attempt at a lay-up or do you pull-up for the J?

Oh, lay-up, for sure.

3.) Which guy would you want on your team, Lebron or Carmello?

I would say Carmello Anthony. Can I have both?

4.) You have a voice mail from Coach Witherspoon and your Mother, who do you call back first?

My mom. Definitely. No question.

5.) If we were to open up your CD player right now, what would we find?

A mix tape with a little down south stuff - some Young Bloods, and a little Jay Z.