Brotherly love

Pickup games of basketball after school with siblings are normal things. But on March 5, Roderick Middleton, a 6-foot-3-inch guard on the men's basketball team, will have the chance to go head-to-head with one of his brothers on the collegiate hardwood.

Middleton will proudly wear his Buffalo blue and white, and his younger brother, Cedrick Middleton, will wear the blue and gold of the Bulls' Mid-American Conference rival Akron Zips.

Though they are opponents on the court, Roderick said he still gives Cedrick advice about the game.

"We talk before and after every game," said Roderick, an economics major who strives to play in the NBA one day. "I know some of the things that he's going through. He's not playing as much right now. It can get down and stressful, so I just try and keep his head up. You know, just be a bigger brother and help him out."

The elder Middleton's advice has apparently helped the younger, as the Zips beat the Bulls earlier in the season at Akron.

In the game, Cedrick statistically outperformed his older brother, posting six points to Roderick's three and hitting 2-2 from the line while UB's Middleton was 0-2. However, Roderick was able to pull down twice as many boards as his younger brother.

Roderick acknowledges the fact that his younger brother currently has bragging rights but feels that is going to change when Akron heads to Alumni Arena in early March.

"He got the upper hand but that's going to change when he comes here, so it's all good," he said.

While his younger brother will be wearing an Akron jersey, Roderick said he has 14 other brothers on the court dressed in blue and white night after night.

"I love those guys," said Roderick. "We're like brothers. We're close. I'd do anything for those guys."

Along with his teammates, Roderick loves the game of basketball. At Marian Catholic High School, Roderick Middleton laced up his basketball shoes in the winter but also donned football pads in the fall. He played free safety for the Spartans, but his heart was always on the court.

"I love the game so much more than football," said Roderick. "Football was something to do. I was good at it but my heart was not really in football. I was always a basketball person. Growing up, I watched it and my dad played it so basketball was just in my heart."

Basketball first became an interest of Roderick's in third grade and he credits his dad for teaching him the skills he still uses ten years later.

"Ever since I was little, he was the first one to teach me the game and teach me my skills," said Roderick. "If it wasn't for him, I probably wouldn't be there today."

Just like his dad showed him the tricks of the trade, Roderick, who currently has the highest 3-point percentage on the Bulls, received advice from his older teammates and is now fulfilling that role to his younger teammates.

"When I first came in as a freshman, some of the older guys tried to show me the ropes and help me out," he said. "Now that I'm getting older, I feel like I have to do the same thing with our younger guys."

Roderick, who has played every game in his collegiate career, has faith in his teammates and hopes to accomplish one thing before he graduates: a MAC Championship.

"Personally, I think we are the best team to ever play here at UB," he said.

Not only does Roderick have faith in his teammates, he motivates himself through the fear of failure.

"I don't want to fail," he said. "Every day I just wake up and just try to get better."

Roderick, who was with the Bulls in Western Michigan against the Broncos on Tuesday night, will have another chance to succeed this Saturday in Alumni Arena against Ball State during UB's first-ever nationally televised game that will be aired on ESPN 2.

Five Random Questions:

1. What is the most recent CD you got?

T. I.

2. What color are your sheets?

Maroon.

3. Soap or body wash?

Body wash.

4. What did you eat for dinner last night?

Fish.

5. Who has better hair: Mario Jordan or Roderick Middleton?

Well from the last Spectrum I read, Rio said his hair was better than mine but I think that's a lie. I mean, his hair might be a little longer but my texture is way better. It's smoother. My braids just lay down way better than his. So I have to go with mine. I mean, his hair is all right, but he ain't got nothing on me.