I hate to say it and it probably sounds like blasphemy, but when you look at it objectively it is time to fire Reggie Witherspoon. I was there at UB in 03' and 04' when he started to turn the team around, it is one of my great sports memories and I will never forget it, but since then his underperformance cannot be understated or dismissed like it seems like it has been in every public publication and opinion. Let's look at some facts over the last six years:
· Mediocre at best recruiting, what happen to the momentum we should have had after those "glory days" seasons with people like Turner Battle, Idbihi, and Bortz? Having players at that high a level and making to the NIT tournament should have sparked some improvement in the recruiting results; instead I never think we had a season where we finished near the top of recruiting in the conference, and that isn't saying much.
· Second half collapses not just this year but in critical moments during his tenure. Reggie admitted that the team looked tense and uneasy at halftime vs. Kent this weekend, that was with a 10 point lead, why was that the case to begin with coach, and why could you not fix it as they look like a Division II team the entire second half to blow a game that would have put them back in the MAC East race? What about the second half collapse to Ohio at home two weeks ago and the inexcusable loss to lowly Eastern Michigan? And of course I have to bring up the 20 point blown lead to Ohio in the MAC Title game in 05'. Do I look a stupid, bitter, jerk for bringing up something from six years ago? Maybe, but the magnitude of that loss is so great I don't think it should ever be lived down, who knows if we will ever have a chance like that to go to the NCAA tourney again, and that game was essentially a home game in the midst of the best fan support UB Basketball has ever had.
· Consistent underachieving during the last six years. After the MAC Title game loss to Ohio, not counting the season where we lost to Akron in the MAC Title game (another game which we were favored in and should have won), the UB teams have simply not been good, and there is no reason for it in an average conference coming off the momentum they should have had after 04'-05' where the program turned around. This year looked to be different and it almost changed my opinion on Reggie. But look at where we are at now, the coldest team in the MAC where just three weeks ago we were the hottest.
It looks like this season will end disappointing too, probably beating a weak MAC West team in round one of the conference tourney, then bowing out to the first MAC East team we play in round two. I know some analysts picked UB to finish last in the MAC overall in the offseason so some might say this year is a good surprise, but how the hell do things get so bad that UB was picked to finish last in the first place? That just reinforces how bad Reggie's recruiting and player development has been. This as well all the other underachievement in listed above leads me to believe it is certainly time to make a change at head coach, but since Buffalo professional and even college sports often seem to glorify and reward underachievement and mediocrity, so congratulations on the upcoming 4 year extension, coach!
Steve Flowers
Recent UB graduate
