When the buzzer sounded at Quicken Loans Arena on Thursday, March 13, at the end of the Bulls' (19-10, 13-6 Mid-American Conference) 69-64 MAC Tournament quarterfinal loss, it signaled the end of a lot more than just the 2013-14 men's basketball season.
It was the last time UB's all-time leading scorer, senior forward Javon McCrea and fellow seniors guards Josh Freelove and Jarod Oldham would play in a Bulls jersey and the end of what many had believed would be a special season.
Here is The Spectrum sports staff's analysis of the Bulls' season.
Three-point shooting: B
Freelove was the Bulls' most prolific long-range shooter and the fourth most efficient three-point shooter in the MAC, hitting 41 percent of his shots from beyond the arc. He also led the conference in three-point field goals made.
As a team, the Bulls shot 33.5 percent from three, fifth best in the conference. The biggest issue with the Bulls' three-point shooting was their streakiness. When faced with a good zone defense, the Bulls were forced to attempt unfavorable shots, and their success dropped considerably.
Free throw shooting: B-
The Bulls were streaky from the free throw line all season, shooting above 80 percent some games, and then shooting 37.5 percent the next. McCrea attempted 198 free throws on the season due to his physical play in the post. He shot 67 percent, hitting 132 shots.
Oldham was the only other player to attempt more than 100 free throws, hitting 83 of 113 shots.
As a team, the Bulls shot 71.2 percent from the line.
Ball control: A-
The Bulls benefited from having a veteran point guard and a young point guard on the team. Together, Oldham and freshman guard Shannon Evans combined for 248 of the Bulls' 436 assists.
With Buffalo's 365 turnovers, the Bulls were second in the conference with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.2.
Overall offense: B+
The offense was streaky and there was seemingly an easy formula to stop Buffalo: Zone defense. When McCrea was able to play his game inside, the entire Bulls' offense clicked. But once teams clogged up the middle, Buffalo lost the ability to get the ball inside to McCrea and effectively drive the lane.
The only zone defense the Bulls really thrived against all season was Bowling Green in the last regular season game of the year March 9.
Without McCrea next year, there is a question as to how the offense is going to function.
Rebounding: B+
The Bulls always seemed to be outrebounding their opponents during the season, but their final season statistics are not eye popping.
Buffalo was second in the conference in rebounding, grabbing 37 boards per game, but sixth in rebounds allowed. The Bulls were third in rebounding margin, outrebounding opponents by three boards per game.
McCrea was the Bulls' most prolific rebounder, grabbing 9.9 boards per game. The Bulls' next highest rebounder, junior Will Regan, averaged 5.8 rebounds per game.
Regan and sophomore forward Justin Moss will need to step up next season to lead UB on the boards.
Defense: B+
The Bulls went on a six-game stretch in which they didn't allow an opponent to score more than 70 points, but they also allowed 80 or more points five times during the season.
Despite first-year head coach Bobby Hurley's billing as bringing a high-flying, guard-driven offense to Buffalo, the squad was 1-5 when it allowed more than 80 points.
The Bulls were fifth in the conference in steals with 6.8 per game and often flustered opponents with their high-energy, pressuring style of play, especially at Alumni Arena.
Bench production: B+
The Bulls' bench is a complicated matter. The starting five at the beginning of the season were McCrea, Oldham, Freelove, Regan and sophomore Jarryn Skeete. Evans came off the bench and played starters' minutes almost from the start of the season, but particularly once Skeete was sidelined due to an ankle injury.
Instead of starting Evans, Hurley started junior Xavier Ford, even though he averaged 13.5 minutes to Evans' 26.4.
Without Evans, the bench production would have been dismal. But had Skeete stayed healthy all season, there is a much weaker argument to start Evans.
Though Moss did contribute more down the stretch, he was not a key contributor. Evans carried the Bulls' bench this season. He will likely take on a starter's role next season, leaving the sixth man production to another player.
Coaching: B
Hurley showed flashes of greatness in his first season as a head coach. When the Bulls were clicking, they were the best team in the conference. But they lacked consistency.
Hurley was easily frustrated on the bench, and he was repeatedly called for technical fouls throughout the season. Though his energy translated well into his players and made the Bulls exciting to watch, he needs to learn how to corral his emotions.
Despite graduating a bevy of talent this season, Hurley has recruited well, and it should not be long before the Bulls return to a high level of play.
email: sports@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Paul Hokanson/UB Athletics
