Sports - The Spectrum

OPINION

Sports mailbag: NFL Draft, COVID-19, quarterbacks

By JUSTIN WEISS | Apr. 30, 2020

Last weekend, the NFL Draft gave us a much-needed break from COVID-19. But after tasting live sports for the first time in over a month, our palate is even stronger for something — anything — to come out of the sports world. I don’t profess to know what comes next, but I do have the advantage of being around — metaphorically now — UB Athletics as a sports editor for The Spectrum. Here’s a brief look at the state of UB Athletics, and answers to some of your questions:

Former UB football star K.J. Osborn makes a catch in the endzone.

SPORTS

Ksiezarczyk, Mack sign as undrafted free agents, Osborn scooped in fifth round

By ANTHONY DECICCO | Apr. 26, 2020

For the third straight year, current UB players were shut out of the 2020 NFL draft. Still, the Bulls had four players — two current and two former — land with NFL teams over the weekend. Three of them signed as undrafted free agents; one, former wide receiver K.J. Osborn, heard his name called in the fifth round.

McEvans started playing basketball at age five, but she has had to overcome adversity to get to where she is today.

SPORTS

Meet Cheyenne McEvans, the academic athlete

By JUSTIN WEISS | Apr. 24, 2020

Cheyenne McEvans was born into a basketball family. So it was hardly a surprise when McEvans asked her parents if she could pick up the sport at age five. It was all she knew at the time, bouncing around between the high school gym her mother coached at and family gatherings, where the only thing her cousins wanted to know was when they could go outside and shoot some hoops.

The Bulls huddle for an offensive play at their own 20-yard line against the Temple Owls.

SPORTS

Bulls in the draft: Evin Ksiezarczyk headlines 2020 class

By JAKE MAZURKIEWICZ | Apr. 22, 2020

UB football is hoping for better luck this year after getting shut out of the 2019 NFL Draft. The Bulls are led by offensive lineman Evin Ksiezarczyk, linebacker Matt Otwinowski and safety Joey Banks, who are all hoping to hear their names called during the draft, which begins Thursday.

SPORTS

UB men’s basketball penalized for ethical conduct violation

By JUSTIN WEISS and ELIZABETH NAPOLITANO | Apr. 21, 2020

The NCAA concluded Tuesday that a former UB men’s basketball assistant coach violated NCAA unethical conduct bylaws last year when he “fraudulently created and submitted documentation for an NCAA waiver” to UB’s Athletics Compliance Office, according to a press release from UB Athletics.

SPORTS

Top junior college transfer commits to UB

By JAKE MAZURKIEWICZ | Apr. 16, 2020

One of the top junior basketball transfers in the NCAA is on his way to Buffalo next season.

SPORTS

Bringing in the Bulls: Recruiting options for men’s basketball

By JUSTIN WEISS | Apr. 14, 2020

On March 16, UB granted three-star men’s basketball recruit Josiah Freeman a release from his commitment. Freeman’s departure means that the Bulls have filled just 11 of their 13 scholarships prior to the late signing period, which opens Wednesday. UB has added just one recruit to its 2020 class so far: three-star Louisiana point guard Chanse Robinson.

FEATURES

MAC lifts spirits with TikTok challenge

By ANTHONY DECICCO | Apr. 13, 2020

Collegiate athletes are accustomed to competition. They’re used to competing everyday in practice, in the gym and during games. And when the most integral part of their lives is taken away from them, they adapt.

Women’s tennis coach Kristen Maines coaching her team.

SPORTS

‘It’s been a struggle:’ Coaches adapt to pandemic restrictions

By JUSTIN WEISS | Apr. 11, 2020

Kristen Maines knew something was coming — she just didn’t know what it was. On March 12, the women’s tennis coach led her team in a scheduled practice at the Miller Tennis Center. But at the same time, leaders from the Mid-American Conference were discussing how COVID-19 would impact their ability to hold future competitions.

UB sophomore guard Malik Zachery pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge for his alleged role in the stabbing of a Canisius basketball player during a pickup game last September.

SPORTS

Top junior college transfer lists UB among his final three

By JAKE MAZURKIEWICZ | Apr. 7, 2020

One of the top junior college transfers in the country could be joining the UB men’s basketball team next season. Chipola College point guard Malik Zachery has offers from 17 schools and has narrowed his options to Ole Miss, California and UB. He is set to make his decision on April 15, according to Stockrisers.

Defensive end Taylor Riggins sacking quarterback Quinten Dormady.

SPORTS

UB boasts two of top-10 returning edge rushers in nation

By ALEXANDER BROWN | Apr. 5, 2020

The Bulls will enter the 2020 football season — if it takes place on time — with two of the top-10 returning edge rushers in the nation, according to Anthony Treash of ESPN. Using a combination of Pro Football Focus grades and PFF’s wins above average metric, Treash placed UB defensive ends Taylor Riggins and Malcolm Koonce on his list of elite returning edge rushers.

UB Stadium on a rainy day. Senior Division-I track and field athletes will have an opportunity to play next season.

SPORTS

Senior athletes find another chance to compete in their final season

By ANTHONY DECICCO | Apr. 4, 2020

Rachel Barich couldn’t wait for her final season at UB. The senior distance runner was ready to show what her lifetime of work had built up to. She was ready for her moment in the spotlight. But the NCAA cancelled all spring-sport seasons on March 12 due to the COVID-19 outbreak, leaving senior athletes without their senior seasons.

UB Athletics is also taking a hit from COVID-19. Administration looks to 2021 revenue projections to make current decisions.

SPORTS

UB Athletics adapts to new economic reality

By JUSTIN WEISS | Apr. 1, 2020

Over the past few months, COVID-19 has sent the global economy into a freefall. On Thursday, the virus found yet another economic victim: Division-I athletic programs. The NCAA Board of Governors voted unanimously Thursday to distribute $225 million to Division-I member schools, a 62.5% decrease from the expected $600 million.

Mark Alnutt speaks at a press conference in 2018. Alnutt spoke with The Spectrum Monday about dealing with COVID-19 and helping the program.

SPORTS

Athletic director talks COVID-19 disruptions

By JUSTIN WEISS | Mar. 31, 2020

Athletic Director Mark Alnutt has led his program to new heights. And now, he’s tasked with guiding it through COVID-19 and the various financial, logistical and communicative hurdles that come along with it.

Senior forward Summer Hemphill goes in for a bucket at a previous game.

SPORTS

Summer Hemphill to stay at UB for additional season

By ALEX LENNEBERG | Mar. 30, 2020

UB women’s basketball senior forward Summer Hemphill announced on Twitter Monday that she will be staying on the team for an additional season.

Junior guard Jayvon Graves holds his own during a previous home game this season. Graves has entered his name into the 2020 NBA draft.

SPORTS

Draft dreams: Jayvon Graves mulls NBA future

By JUSTIN WEISS | Mar. 25, 2020

Two weeks ago, Jayvon Graves walked into head coach Jim Whitesell’s office with a surprising announcement. He would be entering his name into the 2020 NBA Draft.

Junior Jayvon Graves poses in Alumni Arena in December.

SPORTS

Jayvon Graves to enter name into 2020 NBA Draft

By JUSTIN WEISS | Mar. 20, 2020

Men’s basketball junior guard Jayvon Graves announced on Friday that he is planning to declare for the 2020 NBA Draft, with the ability to return to college next year if he withdraws his name no later than 10 days after the scouting combine.

UB senior wrestler Troy Keller grapples Binghamton University junior Dylan Wood in February.

SPORTS

‘Crushed:’ Graduating wrestler loses chance at NCAA title

By JUSTIN WEISS | Mar. 17, 2020

Troy Keller was preparing to make a presentation in his field ecology class last week when he discovered some shocking news: the NCAA canceled its Division-I college wrestling championships. Keller, a back-to-back 165 lb. Mid-American Conference champion, was looking forward to competing for the school’s first All-American honor since 2004. But instead, he was told that his career would be ending, but “not on his own terms.”

SPORTS

UB grants release to three-star recruit Josiah Freeman

By JUSTIN WEISS | Mar. 15, 2020

Three-star men's basketball recruit Josiah Freeman asked for a release from his commitment to UB and UB granted it, according to UB Athletics. Freeman signed his national letter of intent with the Bulls in November, after turning down offers from nine other schools, including Old Dominion and Siena.