Sports - The Spectrum

Former Bulls quarterback Joe Licata, with "New York" featured prominently on his jersey, walks off the field during a loss to Nevada at UB Stadium in September of 2015. Licata preferred the jerseys with the "Buffalo" patch that the team wore during his freshman season.

SPORTS

What’s in a name?: UB community reacts to the new athletics branding and the end of NYBI

By Jordan Grossman and QUENTIN HAYNES | Apr. 18, 2016

Last Tuesday, UB gave an update on a university-wide branding effort for the first time in school history, effectively ending UB Athletics’ New York Bulls Initiative, or NYBI, that was in action for nearly three years. The main goal of the NYBI was to market Buffalo as New York’s college team by boldly representing the name New York rather than Buffalo. With the new rebranding, the term “Buffalo” is once again the prominent focus.

Sophomore wide receiver Jacob Martinez catches a touchdown pass in last season’s opener against Albany. Now a junior, Martinez is expected to be one of the key receivers in Buffalo’s offensive attack this season.

SPORTS

UB football is looking for the next go-to wide receiver

By MICHAEL AKELSON | Apr. 17, 2016

When UB all-time receiving touchdown leader Alex Neutz graduated two years ago, no one was quite sure who was going to replace him as the Buffalo football team’s No. 1 wide receiver. It wasn’t until a previously unknown player named Ron Willoughby exploded for 10 catches, more than 130 yards and two touchdowns in Buffalo’s 2014 season-opener that the team had any idea who its next go-to guy would be. With Willoughby now having graduated, the Bulls seem to be going for a similar approach this offseason: give every receiver an equal opportunity through the grind of the spring and summer and see who emerges once the season kicks off in September.

The women's basketball team huddles during a 51-43 upset victory over Ohio on Feb. 3.

SPORTS

UB women’s basketball hopes to add athleticism with 2016 recruiting class

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Apr. 17, 2016

The Bulls bring in three players for next season – one transfer and two high school seniors. University of Massachusetts guard Cierra Dillard joins high school seniors Theresa Onwuka and Summer Hemphill for the recruiting class. Head coach Felisha Legette-Jack said the new recruits bring another dimension to the roster that was lacking at times last season: athleticism.

Senior Sergio Arevalillo looks to return a serve back during a 2016 regular season event. Arevalillo won his 100th game in a 5-2 loss to Western Michigan on Sunday.

SPORTS

UB men's tennis has an international flare

By MICHAEL AKELSON | Apr. 14, 2016

For senior tennis player Sergio Arevalillo, April 10 was just like any other game day this season. He showed up at the Miller Tennis Center for his singles match and played his heart out, like he always hopes to, and came away with a victory for his team. He was upset about the Buffalo men’s tennis team’s 5-2 loss to Western Michigan that day. It wasn’t until after the match that Arevalillo found out thathis singles match victory was the 100th victory of his UB career. “It feels like I just hit 50 wins not that long ago,” Arevalillo said.

Bulls pitcher Charlie Sobieraksi hurls a pitch during the 2016 season.

SPORTS

Quick hits: teams now all in thick of MAC play, women’s basketball brings in transfer

By Sports Desk | Apr. 13, 2016

Quick hits: teams now all in thick of MAC play, women’s basketball brings in transfer

SPORTS

Twitter reactions: UB community reacts to end of athletics' 'New York' logo

By Tom Dinki | Apr. 12, 2016

UB Athletics' "New York" wordmark was a controversial subject for fans and alumni, as it put large emphasis on the word "New York" with the word "Buffalo barely visible underneath. Those same fans and alumni took to Twitter on Tuesday to make their feelings on the subject known.

SPORTS

UB Athletics’ logo will once again prominently feature ‘Buffalo,’ not ‘New York’

By Jordan Grossman | Apr. 12, 2016

UB announced that a new “Buffalo Bulls” wordmark will replace UB Athletics’ current “State University of New York Buffalo” wordmark.

Freshman center James O'Hagan prepares to snap the ball for the Bulls football team. O'Hagan gained 20 pounds by cutting out unhealthy foods and changing his diet.

SPORTS

UB Bull James O'Hagan adjusts to new weight expectations after high school wrestling career

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Apr. 10, 2016

Before James O’Hagan became the anchor of the Buffalo football offensive line, he was a wrestler by trade. And he was one of the best. He held the title of the best heavyweight in the state of New York and was one of the top wrestlers in the country at 285 pounds. But holding that title also had its limitations. For O’Hagan, it was food. Hovering around 285 pounds may sound easy, but weight management is a much taller task than many imagine. Now that his wrestling days are behind him, the rising sophomore center’s only focus is maintaining the perfect body for football. And he can finally do something he longed to do in high school.

The Blue Bull Tavern, located at 1300 Sweet Home Road, brings a mixture of UB students, parents and children to the place that specializes in gourmet food and craft beer.

FEATURES

Blue Bull Tavern prides itself as an upscale sports bar walking distance from UB North Campus

By Edward Goldschmid | Apr. 10, 2016

Located at 1300 Sweet Home Road, in the same complex as the Buffalo Exchange Luxury Apartments and directly across from UB’s North Campus, the Blue Bull Tavern is a sports bar meant for Buffalonians and out-of-towners who want a true Buffalo experience.

Donyell Marshall accepted the head coaching position at Central Connecticut on Wednesday, ending his one-year tenure with the Buffalo men's basketball team.

SPORTS

Donyell Marshall accepts head coaching job at Central Connecticut State

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Apr. 6, 2016

It will be Marshall’s fifth coaching gig but his first as a head coach.

Senior Sergio Arevalillo returns the ball back during Friday's match vs. Binghamton. The Bulls host Western Michigan on Sunday, April 10.

SPORTS

UB men's tennis is outshining expectations

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Apr. 6, 2016

Despite it being the reining Mid-American Conference champions, Buffalo men’s tennis head coach Lee Nickell thinks his team has “outshined [its] expectations” so far this season. After a conference title and NCAA Tournament appearance, the team lost two of its best players to graduation and another who quit the team to become a model in Europe. Needless to say, Nickell wasn’t sure what to expect from his team this season. Yet with four games left in the regular season, the Bulls (9-5, 2-1 MAC) are winners of four of their last five matches and looking to continue their positive momentum into the MAC Tournament. “I think we’ve definitely outshined our expectations,” Nickell said.

Joe Licata attempts a pass at UB's Pro Day this past month. Licata and 11 former teammates attempted to impress professional scouts and ranks No. 10 on our monthly top-10 list.

SPORTS

UB Athletics' top 10 moments from March

By MICHAEL AKELSON | Apr. 6, 2016

We're ranking the top 10 moments from UB Athletics this past month, including a trip of championships, olympians and rising stars.

Jordan Johnson scrambles for a gain during Buffalo's opening day victory over Albany this past season. Johnson is expected to take over the starting running back position this upcoming season.

SPORTS

UB running back Jordan Johnson finally the starter in a talented backfield

By Jordan Grossman | Apr. 4, 2016

The Bulls’ prosperous history of running backs has been evident for the better part of a decade. It started with current NFL backs James Starks and Branden Oliver, and continued last season with All-Mid-American Conference back Anthone Taylor. Now, the starting job is in the hands of Jordan Johnson, a local product from Sweet Home High School that has been waiting his turn to take over the starting job.

Sophomore pitcher Charlie Sobieraski throws a pitch in one of his seven starts this season. Sobieraski is tied for the team lead in victories this season with four.

SPORTS

UB baseball player Charlie Sobieraski makes move from third base to the mound

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Apr. 3, 2016

Last season, Sobieraski played third base and performed well at the plate. He finished fourth on the team in batting average (.265) and led the team with four home runs as a freshman. Near the end of the regular season, he received some time on the mound with 10.1 innings pitched.

OPINION

MLB awards and World Series predictions: Mets get redemption for last year's World Series loss

By Jordan Grossman | Apr. 3, 2016

There's something about the allure of the youth movement. Some of the best players in the league aren’t even 25 yet. There’s still so much potential in these young rosters that may or may not break out this year. So this season will be interesting. Who will prevail: the veterans who have been in these situations before or the young players who are primed to take over the game?

OPINION

MLB awards and World Series predictions: Trout claims second MVP, Cubs win first championship since 1908

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Apr. 3, 2016

The World Series is just as open as ever. Half of the league, including the defending champion Kansas City Royals, could make the World Series this year. While the MVP awards seems destined for a handful of players, the Cy Young awards are always pretty random. Let’s talk about the predictions for MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of The Year and World Series.

OPINION

If UB wants to become New York’s college team, it must start recruiting from New York – like Syracuse

By Jordan Grossman | Apr. 2, 2016

But UB Athletics must understand Syracuse will always be New York’s college team. People know about Syracuse athletics, despite the fact it’s located in a city with a population of less than 150,000. Most people around the country have no clue about UB Athletics, despite the fact it plays in a city with a population of more than 250,000.

Junior outfielder Vinny Mallaro rounds the bases in a game last season. The Bulls are looking to have a successful Mid-American Conference run and return to the MAC Tournament.

SPORTS

UB baseball looks to turn corner in conference play

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Apr. 1, 2016

The Buffalo baseball team understands the season doesn’t really begin until Mid-American Conference play begins. The non-conference schedule will not get a team into a conference tournament.

OPINION

National League predictions: Mets repeat as East champs, Giants continues even year magic

By Jordan Grossman | Mar. 31, 2016

The NL is stacked with young talent, elite pitching and future All-Stars on nearly every team. These young studs are spread all across the league – making for even matchups and thrilling storylines throughout the year. But which teams will be playing through October?

OPINION

National League Predictions: Cubs, Mets look to get back to NLCS, but Dodgers loom

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Mar. 31, 2016

Despite a league full of potential playoff teams, here are the five teams that I believe will make it to October, with a chance to represent the National League in the World Series.