With March looming over every college basketball team in the country, the pressure surely must be building in Alumni Arena as Buffalo head coach Reggie Witherspoon prepares his team for another run at the NCAA Tournament.
The first test for the Bulls (16-10, 8-6 Mid-American Conference) will be at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, where the team will compete in the annual MAC Tournament. The winner will receive an automatic bid to the big dance.
After a crushing loss to rival Akron (21-8, 11-3 MAC) on Wednesday night, Buffalo has to tighten up numerous aspects of its game. I've compiled a list of five keys for the Bulls to make it to the tournament for the first time in school history.
1. The Bulls have to bring maximum intensity to every game they play the rest of the way. As was evident against the Zips, it's very difficult to go down big early and make your way back into the game. This falls on the shoulders of the players, as they ultimately have to find the motivation to go hard from the opening tip and sustain that effort throughout the game.
2. Sophomore forwards Mitchell Watt and Titus Robinson have to be at their best in every game. These two youngsters are so important for the Bulls, because their defense and offensive production helps take so much pressure off the seniors.
Watt has shown signs of brilliance as of late and needs to continue to play with a chip on his shoulder. Robinson is so versatile on the offensive end, but he really needs to have more confidence in himself and his abilities.
3. Rodney Pierce has to shine. I've been hot and cold on Pierce since I first saw him play at the start of last season, but I have come around. He is a scoring assassin. In some games this year, he has put the Bulls on his back and led them to victory. He needs to be at his best and not only score the basketball, but get his teammates involved, too.
The game against Akron showcased how dangerous Pierce can be. After being absolutely shut down for zero points in the first half, the senior came out in the second and took over. He finished with 19 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field in the second half. If he can play at this level the rest of the way, the Bulls are going to be a tough team to handle.
4. Defense has to be a priority. This team has gone through its ups and downs this year on the defensive end of the floor. In order to succeed during postseason play, Buffalo has to play together on defense. The Bulls are 3-9 this season when they allow the opponent to score 70 points or more, and are 13-1 when they hold their opponent to 70 or less.
5. Finally, John Boyer and Calvin Betts have to provide senior leadership. Both players have been great this season for the Bulls, but they have to take it to the next level. This team will count on them in close games and Boyer needs to trust himself on offense. He is a dynamic threat for the Bulls and can fill up the stat line in a hurry. Betts needs to continue his hardnosed attack on the glass and on the defensive end of the floor.
It's not going to be an easy road to the big dance, but if the Bulls buckle down and focus on these five key points, I'm convinced they'll reach the NCAA Tournament.
E-mail: matt.parrino@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
