Sports - The Spectrum

Junior forward Jeremy Harris drops in the finger roll layup. In his first season as a Bull, the JUCO transfer started every game averaging 15.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.

SPORTS

Spring check-in: Men’s basketball

By NATHANIEL MENDELSON | May 7, 2018

Buffalo men’s basketball has never been better, with a third Mid-American Conference Championship in four years, five All-MAC players, MAC coach of the year, MAC sixth man of the year and its first-ever NCAA Tournament win. “We’re trying to make our ceiling, our new floor,” said junior guard CJ Massinburg, after the No. 13 seed Bulls broke brackets across the country defeating the No. 4 seed Arizona. With 10 players returning and the highest rated recruiting class in program history, the Bulls are on track to do just that.

Sophomore forward Summer Hemphill goes for the layup in the crowded paint. Hemphill will look to start next season as the Bulls make adjustments after the departure of five seniors and the addition of six new players.

SPORTS

Spring check-in: Women’s basketball

By THOMAS ZAFONTE | May 7, 2018

The Bulls will start next season in unknown territory for the program as a nationally ranked team. Coming off the two biggest wins in program history this past March at the NCAA Tournament, Buffalo is hoping to build with the upcoming recruiting class.

SPORTS

Bulls finish season at home against Miami (OH)

By NATHANIEL MENDELSON | May 3, 2018

The Bulls conclude their season this weekend in a matchup against the Miami (OH) Redhawks. Buffalo is on the outside looking in, trying to reach the Mid-American Conference softball tournament this season.

Karin Moss works with the team on the sideline. Moss was a member of the 2015-16 MAC Championship season and has now returned to the team for a new staff role.

SPORTS

From player to operator

By THOMAS ZAFONTE | May 3, 2018

Karin Moss’ time on the Bulls didn’t start with a MAC Championship, NCAA appearance or even 20 wins.

The women’s tennis team reacting to the announcement of its first round NCAA Tournament opponent, the Northwestern Wildcats. The Bulls will travel to Evanston, Illinois for the first round matchup on May 11.

SPORTS

Women's tennis to play Northwestern in NCAA Tournament

By THOMAS ZAFONTE | May 3, 2018

The Bulls are heading back to the NCAA Tournament for their second consecutive season as they get ready to take on the No. 14 seed Northwestern Wildcats in the first round.

April 27, 2018: during the 2018 Mid-American Men's Tennis Championship between the Buffalo Bulls and Northern Illinois Huskies at the Miller Tennis Center in Amherst, N.Y. (Nicholas T. LoVerde)

SPORTS

Men's tennis lose 4-2 in final of MAC Championship

By NATHANIEL MENDELSON | Apr. 30, 2018

UB men’s tennis season ended Saturday with a 4-2 loss to the Western Michigan Broncos, during the final match of the Mid-American Conference Championships.

Junior pitcher Ally Power gets ready to windup her pitch. The Ohio Bobcats swept the Bulls, making for a rough weekend.

SPORTS

Bulls get swept by Ohio with lackluster hitting

By Sports Desk | Apr. 30, 2018

Buffalo struggled this weekend against the Ohio Bobcats, losing three games by eight or more points.

The Bulls holding their newly won 2018 MAC Championship. This marked the program's third MAC Championship and the team's first back-to-back titles.

SPORTS

Women's tennis wins third MAC Championship

By THOMAS ZAFONTE and NATHANIEL MENDELSON | Apr. 30, 2018

The Bulls made program history in Muncie, Indiana this weekend winning the Mid-American Conference Championship for the second straight year. Buffalo (17-3, 8-0 MAC) won back-to-back games after earning a first-round bye as the No. 1 seed heading into the tournament.

Senior Vidit Vaghela’s doubles play will be key for the Bulls as the look to win their second straight MAC championship.

SPORTS

Men’s tennis to host MAC Championship this weekend

By NATHANIEL MENDELSON | Apr. 26, 2018

UB men’s tennis looks to win its third Mid-American Conference Championship in four years this weekend. After going undefeated in conference play last season, head coach Lee Nickell maintained the team’s high level of play, going 12-9 overall and 5-2 in conference play this season.

Enes Kanter answers questions from Muslim Student Association members and Muslim community members during the Muslim Students Association Annual Banquet.

SPORTS

Enes Kanter speaks at 2018 Muslim Student Association Banquet

By NATHANIEL MENDELSON | Apr. 22, 2018

Knicks center Enes Kanter uses his NBA platform to do more than play basketball. He speaks against political leaders, such as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his actions as leader of Kanter’s native country. At the Muslim Student Association’s annual banquet on Saturday, Kanter discussed his NBA experiences in relation to being Muslim and why his faith is so important to him. Kanter advocates for human rights and free speech, despite being labeled as a dangerous figure in Turkey.

SPORTS

University Tennis Center deemed unusable for Division I teams due to poor condition

By THOMAS ZAFONTE | Apr. 22, 2018

Fences are breaking at the foundation. Paint is peeling off the ground and every court has cracks.

The Bulls celebrate after beating the Ball State Cardinals 7-0 Friday. The program earned its first MAC Season Championship with the win.

SPORTS

UB women’s tennis makes regular season history

By HARUKA KOSUGI | Apr. 22, 2018

UB women’s tennis team clinched its first ever Mid-American Conference season title on Friday at Miller Tennis Center after defeating the Ball State Cardinals 7-0.

SPORTS

UB softball battles through the cold

By NATHANIEL MENDELSON | Apr. 20, 2018

UB softball split its doubleheader with the Canisius Griffins on Wednesday afternoon. The Bulls dominated in the first game winning 8-0 in six innings, while junior pitcher Ally Power had one of her best performances this season.

UB Athletic Director Mark Alnutt sits down for an interview with The Spectrum Tuesday morning. Alnutt is hoping to talk to multiple organizations within UB to have an understanding of Athletics' situation across Amherst.

SPORTS

Getting the lay of UB

By THOMAS ZAFONTE | Apr. 19, 2018

Newly hired Athletic Director Mark Alnutt isn’t satisfied with the Bulls’ historic success in recent years and wants to take Buffalo’s program to new heights. Alnutt, who joined Athletics after two years as deputy director of athletics at the University of Memphis, started the position on April 11 and already has his plan in motion. “My vision for the program is student-athlete-centered academic excellence, social development and competitive success,” Alnutt said in an exclusive interview with The Spectrum. “We have about 130 staff members and I am setting up one-on-one meetings with all of them.” A “key goal” for Alnutt is to turn UB sports into a recognizable brand across the country and get more exposure for the university.

Freshman running back Jaret Patterson finds the hole during the annual Blue & White Scrimmage.

SPORTS

Spring check-in: UB football

By NATHANIEL MENDELSON | Apr. 19, 2018

Seven overtimes against Western Michigan, two one-point losses, three different starting quarterbacks and an upset win over Ohio made up the Bulls’ third bowl-eligible season in school history.

Megan Burns celebrates winning the 50-yard freestyle with teammate Eve Kosten.

SPORTS

Splash and burn: Swimmer Megan Burns reflects on record-breaking career at UB

By NATHANIEL MENDELSON | Apr. 16, 2018

Megan Burns didn’t want to swim in college. Her senior year of high school she was lazy, unmotivated and unwilling to put effort into swimming and academics.

Women’s basketball head coach Felisha Legette-Jack addresses the crowd at Friday’s pep-rally. Legette-Jack said she was proud with how the season left and has bigger plans for next year.

SPORTS

UB basketball bringing the celebration to Buffalo

By THOMAS ZAFONTE | Apr. 14, 2018

It was nothing but smiles and cheers for the men’s and women’s basketball teams as they celebrated their most successful Division I seasons in both programs’ histories at the UB basketball postseason celebration. Players and coaches attended Alumni Arena Friday evening to celebrate the teams’ combined 56 wins and home record of 26-1. The women’s basketball team ended the season in the 21 spot on the national coaches ranking, a first for the program. The men’s basketball team won its third MAC Championship in the past four years.

Senior third baseman Danielle Lallos at the plate. The Bowling Green Falcons swept the Bulls in a doubleheader Friday.

SPORTS

UB softball swept in Friday doubleheader

By NATHANIEL MENDELSON | Apr. 14, 2018

UB softball lost both games in a doubleheader against the Bowling Green Falcons on Friday. The Bulls were unable to find success at the mound and the plate as Bowling Green outscored UB a combined 18-4 in the two games at Nan Harvey Field.

Billy Kerner proposed to senior infielder Nicolette Jacobs on April 3. Jacobs said yes. The engagement, which happened at Nan Harvey Field, was seen over 7,500 times on Twitter.

SPORTS

Married to the game: UB softball player proposed to after game

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Apr. 12, 2018

The UB softball team took home two wins against Akron on April 3, but senior infielder Nicolette Jacobs also took home a ring. Billy Kerner, Jacobs’ boyfriend, proposed at Nan Harvey Field after the Bulls’ doubleheader against the Zips.

Head coach Mike Roberts talks to senior pitcher Ally Power on the mound. Roberts is looking to turn the program around after going 9-45 last season.

SPORTS

Softball coach Mike Roberts wants his team to play with passion

By THOMAS ZAFONTE | Apr. 12, 2018

Roberts, a New Zealand native, took over the position on Aug. 17 to lead a completely new coaching staff. Many players began training for next season before Roberts was announced as the new head coach. Almost immediately, Roberts worked on improving team culture.