Despite the Bulls defeat in last night's Mid-Atlantic Conference quarter-final game at the hands of Toledo, the big winner is still the UB community. Whether it is setting capacity crowds at Alumni Arena, getting national coverage or winning individual conference awards, UB basketball is generating excitement and electrifying the entire city.
The resurrection and turnaround of the program is due to several factors, all of which deserve credit. First, head coach Reggie Witherspoon, already named CollegeInsider.com's Mid-Major Coach of the Year, deserves nothing but praise. He pulled a team together, instituted a working program and maximized the potential on offense and defense. His glowing smile graced not only giveaway masks but also spread to all supporters.
On the court, the team is led by Junior guard Turner Battle, a legitimate star and pleasure to watch. His clutch play held the team together at various points over the season, including a last second shot to win the game at Niagara in December. Now that he has a supporting cast with legitimate size, his game had developed greatly.
Battle also has an excellent supporting cast, some of whom are stars in their own right. Inside, big men Yassin Ibdihi, Mark Bortz, Brian Andre and Mario Jordan light up the crowd with thundering dunks, explosive blocks and timely rebounds. Outside, Daniel Gilbert, Calvin Cage, Roderick Middleton and Jason Bird all can knock down three-pointers and run the ball well.
The combination of talent, excitement and victories creates an environment hard to describe. The trip to Cleveland for Thursday night's game was a pilgrimage for many students, especially the die-hard "Mighty Maniacs." The crossover success has enveloped even the most casual fans, who now follow each game with a sense of pride.
This year's successes will likely continue next season as well - after the team pulled it together late in the season, they kept winning, and there is no reason they cannot keep winning next season. None of the top eight players are seniors. Next season's team will add some height and have all the benefits of the meshing from this season. If the early bad losses can be avoided, the Bulls' regular season record will improve.
When everyone can root for the same thing, students are brought together. The winning attitude fosters a sense of community that gives everyone something to talk about. The cheering and boosting extends outside the arena beyond game days and can be felt around campus. It is a simple reminder that people will turn out to see a team win.
It may be shortsighted to declare the playoff foray one of the best things to ever happen at this school, but it is certainly close. The winning attitude is contagious, and the UB basketball program deserves all the credit. It is an amazing feeling, and the basketball team made everyone proud to be at UB.
Photo: Courtesy of SUNY
