mens-basketball - The Spectrum

Seniors Ronaldo Segu and Jeenathan Williams are two of three biggest recruits in UB history.

SPORTS

Coming into their own

By ANTHONY DECICCO | Dec. 8, 2021

UB head coach Jim Whitesell left little doubt as to who his team’s leaders were heading into the season.

Senior forward Josh Mballa (34) shoots a free throw during UB’s 105-54 exhibition victory over Medaille Nov. 4. The Bulls fell 68-65 to St. Bonaventure at Reilly Center Saturday.

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UB falls to St. Bonaventure at the buzzer in WNY classic

By ANTHONY DECICCO | Dec. 5, 2021

Bonnies fans stormed the court after Jalen Adaway’s game-winning three-pointer gave St. Bonaventure (7-1) a 68-65 victory over UB (4-3) Saturday afternoon at a sold-out Reilly Center in Allegany, NY.

Senior forward Josh Mballa recorded 17 points, 10 rebounds and one assist in Tuesday's 69-66 win over North Texas.

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Men’s basketball gets first win in road opener

By BRENDEN WOLD | Nov. 16, 2021

Men’s basketball (1-1) defeated the University of North Texas (1-1), 69-66, Monday night at the UNT Coliseum in Denton, TX.

Defensive end Taylor Riggins (49) records his first sack of the season on Wagner quarterback Jaalon Frazier. The Bulls lost to Miami (OH), 48-18, at Yager Stadium in Oxford, OH Tuesday night.

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UB underwhelms against Miami (OH) on national TV

By ANTHONY DECICCO | Nov. 10, 2021

UB football (4-6, 2,4 MAC) fell to the Miami (OH) RedHawks (5-5, 2-4 MAC), 45-18, at Yager Stadium in Oxford, OH Tuesday night.

UB guard Maceo Jack (33) is guarded by guard Keishawn Brewton (4) at men’s basketball practice last week.

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Men’s basketball will rely on experience

By ANTHONY DECICCO | Oct. 13, 2021

After falling in the MAC Championship Game last season, players and coaches say they see a different spark in this year’s squad.

Josh Mballa (34) has declared for the 2021 NBA Draft, the big man announced in an Instagram post Wednesday afternoon.

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Josh Mballa declares for 2021 NBA Draft

By ANTHONY DECICCO | May 5, 2021

Men’s basketball senior forward Josh Mballa announced in an Instagram post Wednesday that he is declaring for the 2021 NBA Draft. Mballa will remain eligible to return to UB next season if he withdraws his name prior to the July 19 deadline.

Due to a blanket waiver passed by the NJCAA in the fall in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Curtis Jones will still have four years of eligibility remaining starting next season.

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Men’s basketball signs JUCO transfer Curtis Jones

By ANTHONY DECICCO | Apr. 29, 2021

Men’s basketball announced the signing of 6-foot-5 junior college transfer Curtis Jones Wednesday night, adding a fourth member to the Bulls’ 2021 recruiting class.

Northern Illinois defeated UB 30-29 in the 2018 Marathon MAC Championship Game at Ford Field in Detroit. More than two years later, the conference has changed its transfer policy.

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Mid-American Conference eliminates intraconference transfer policy

By ANTHONY DECICCO | Apr. 8, 2021

The Mid-American Conference announced Thursday that the league’s intraconference transfer policy will be eliminated, a change that will allow student-athletes to transfer between MAC schools without losing a year of eligibility.

Senior guard Jayvon Graves drives into the lane during an 81-64 victory over Mercyhurst on Dec. 10.

SPORTS

Jayvon Graves signs with Sports International Group ahead of NBA Draft

By ANTHONY DECICCO | Apr. 8, 2021

Less than a month after UB's season came to an end, Sports International Group, a full-service sports agency, announced the signing of UB senior guard Jayvon Graves.

Head coach Nate Oats looks on during Buffalo's NCAA tournament loss in 2016. Oats resigned from UB in 2019 and is now the head coach at University of Alabama.

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How former men’s basketball coach Nate Oats has become one of college basketball’s best

By ANTHONY DECICCO | Mar. 20, 2021

On March 24, 2019, the winningest team in UB men’s basketball history walked off the floor for the final time.

UB men's basketball fell to Colorado State in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament Saturday, effectively ending the Bulls' season.

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Colorado State ends UB’s season as men’s basketball falls 75-73 in first round of NIT

By ANTHONY DECICCO | Mar. 20, 2021

After falling to Ohio in the Mid-American Conference Championship Game and failing to secure a bid to the NCAA Tournament, the National Invitational Tournament was UB’s chance at redemption.

Men’s basketball is scheduled to face the Colorado State Rams in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament at the University of Northern Texas.

SPORTS

Men’s basketball will play Colorado State in opening round of NIT

By ANTHONY DECICCO | Mar. 14, 2021

After falling short in the Mid-American Conference Championship Game Saturday, men’s basketball is scheduled to face the Colorado State Rams in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament at the University of Northern Texas Coliseum in Denton, TX.

The Bulls advance to the Mac Championship game following am 81-74 victory over Akron.

SPORTS

Men’s basketball survives 81-74 overtime battle against Akron to advance to MAC Championship game

By ANTHONY DECICCO | Mar. 13, 2021

UB’s hopes of not only a Mid-American Conference Championship, but also an NCAA Tournament bid are still alive. Men’s basketball advanced to the MAC Championship game with an 81-74 overtime victory over the Akron Zips Friday night.

While Josh Mballa dominated inside, junior forward Jeenathan Williams and junior guard Ronaldo Segu (10) provided the Bulls with a considerable boost from three-point range.

SPORTS

Men’s basketball defeats Miami (OH) 74-63 to advance to MAC semifinals

By ANTHONY DECICCO | Mar. 11, 2021

Men’s basketball advanced to the Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinals with a 74-63 victory over the Miami (OH) RedHawks Thursday night.

Junior guard Ronaldo Segu shoots free throws during a recent game against Toledo.

SPORTS

Men’s and women’s basketball look to advance in first round of MAC Tournament

By ANTHONY DECICCO and HUNTER SKOCZYLAS | Mar. 10, 2021

UB’s men’s and women’s basketball teams are trying to advance to March Madness, but they first have to get through the Mid-American Conference Tournament.

UB men's basketball wins in an 86-54 victory over Western Michigan.

SPORTS

UB men’s basketball stays hot in dominant 86-54 win over Western Michigan

By ANTHONY DECICCO | Feb. 13, 2021

Following two convincing victories over Miami (OH) and Ball State, UB men’s basketball (9-6) looked to stretch its win streak to three games against Western Michigan (4-12) Friday night.

Freshman guard Chanse Robinson (not pictured) has left the men's basketball program, UB Athletics confirmed Sunday.

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Chanse Robinson leaves men’s basketball program

By ANTHONY DECICCO | Jan. 3, 2021

UB freshman guard Chanse Robinson has left the men’s basketball program, Trainwreck Sports first reported and UB Athletics later confirmed.

Jayvon Graves, Antwain Johnson, Brock Bertram and Davonta Jordan having a discussion on the court (left to right).

SPORTS

Men’s basketball opens the season on the right foot, defeats Towson 74-65 in Bubbleville

By ANTHONY DECICCO | Nov. 28, 2020

After a string of cancellations and rescheduled opponents, UB men’s basketball finally hit the court for the first time Friday afternoon.

Men's basketball stands on the court at Alumni during a game last season.

SPORTS

UB men’s basketball to face Towson and Army in “Bubbleville”

By ANTHONY DECICCO | Nov. 25, 2020

On Tuesday, UB men’s basketball announced it will open the season against Towson and Army West Point as a part of “Bubbleville” at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.

Both the men’s and women’s Nov. 25 basketball game against Gannon has been canceled amid a rise in COVID cases

SPORTS

First men’s and women’s basketball games canceled due to positive COVID tests

By ANTHONY DECICCO | Nov. 24, 2020

On Monday, UB announced both the men’s and women’s Nov. 25 basketball games against Gannon won’t be played due to positive COVID test results and subsequent contact tracing within Gannon’s Tier 1 personnel.

Mens Basketball