???The thought of Sunday stirs up mixed feelings in senior guard Greg Gamble's mind. Buffalo's starting point guard is excited for the opportunity to knock off Miami (Ohio) on Senior Day, but Gamble also knows that it will be the last time he runs onto the Alumni Arena court.
???Once the Alma Mater plays following the game, the emotional ride of four up-and-down years at Alumni Arena will come to an end.
???"I don't even know how I will react. It's going to be an emotional ride," Gamble said.
???Gamble and seniors Andy Robinson, Vadim Fedotov and Brian Addison will be making their final Alumni Arena appearance against the RedHawks on Sunday. Gamble, Robinson and Fedotov have played four years for the Bulls. Addison's two-year tenure will come to an end after joining the team as a junior college transfer last season.
???Like Gamble, Fedotov has a tough time comprehending the fact that the end of his Bulls career is near.
???"I understand it, but I don't really believe in it. It's hard to imagine that you will not come back or play in front of your fans ever again after four years," Fedotov said.
???The beginning does not seem so long ago for any of the three players. Before starting freshmen year, Gamble, Fedotov and Robinson roomed during summer session in 2006. The three got to know each other during their two months of working out and practicing.
???It was the start of a tight camaraderie. Since that summer, their relationship has grown tremendously through thick and thin.
???"I view Andy and Vadim as my brothers," Gamble said. "We grew together, we had our ups and downs together, and we had a lot of long conversations together."
???Robinson views the other seniors as good friends. He hopes he can maintain a relationship with both Gamble and Fedotov.
???"Me, Greg and Vadim have been through some tough times. We live like blood brothers," Robinson said. "Hopefully from here on out we'll remain in contact."
???The seniors can take solace in knowing they enjoyed a memorable final season together. This season has provided highlights for all four players. Led by the seniors, the men's basketball team is experiencing their best season since the 2004-2005 season - the year before Robinson, Gamble and Fedotov joined the team.
???Fedotov views this season as one full of first-time achievements.
???"We've had so many accomplishments. We won the Rainbow Classic, we've gotten off to the best start to the season and in conference," Fedotov said. "We want to do something this year that's never been done before, and we're on the way there."
???Each senior hopes the season results in another Buffalo first - a NCAA tournament bid.
The 2004-05 team was the closest the program made it to the tournament.
???While ending their senior year with a trip to March Madness may seem too good to be true, they know that they are on the verge to accomplishing the dream.
???"If we could accomplish that goal, I know that my objective here as a Buffalo Bull would be fulfilled," Gamble said.
???But with the senior experience comes the pressure to lead.
With a NCAA tournament berth becoming more plausible with every game, Robinson knows it is up to them to put the team on their shoulders and carry the Bulls to a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
???"I've been here four years. I know what I have to do and what my job is," Robinson said. "I'm ready to help lead these guys."
???Gamble takes a different approach. He feels the team had low expectations coming into the season and is now enjoying proving everyone wrong.
???"There is no pressure at all. Nobody expected us to be here," he said. "We're just out there having fun."
???Sunday's tip off is at 2 p.m.
Photo: Breadchastick / Wikimedia Commons
