Sports - The Spectrum

SPORTS

UB Bulls assistant coach Donyell Marshall linked to Rutgers position

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Mar. 23, 2016

Buffalo men’s basketball assistant coach Donyell Marshall will be hired as an assistant coach at Rutgers, according to a report from CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein. A UB Athletics spokesperson said Wednesday afternoon that Marshall is still on staff with the Bulls. Marshall has ties with Rutgers new head coach Steve Pikiell, as they both played at UConn. Pikiell was also an assistant coach for UConn during Marshall’s college career.

Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams come together for a group photo during Tuesday’s rally in the Student Union. Both teams won their respective Mid-American Championships last week and made NCAA Tournament appearances.

SPORTS

UB men's and women's basketball bring home the hardware with MAC Championship, NCAA Tournament appearance celebration

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Mar. 23, 2016

On Monday, students, media, alumni and fans gathered in the Student Union for a rally to celebrate both teams’ conference tournament championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. Players, coaches and President Satish Tripathi were present, while members of the administration, including Athletic Director Allen Greene, were not present due to a planned vacation.

The helmet of junior linebacker Jarrett Franklin displays the phrase "All 41" in honor of Solomon Jackson. The entire Bulls roster will wear the same phrase on the front of their helmets this year as well.

SPORTS

UB Bulls hold first official spring practice after death of Solomon Jackson

By Jordan Grossman | Mar. 22, 2016

It’s been nearly a month since former Bull Solomon Jackson died following a medical emergency at a team conditioning session on Feb. 22. Tuesday marked the Bulls’ first official practice of the upcoming 2016 season and first after the death of Jackson.

The Bulls huddle during their NCAA Women's Tournament game against Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio on March 18.

SPORTS

UB women's basketball looking upward after first NCAA Tournament

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Mar. 20, 2016

The next question: Where can the Bulls go from here?

OPINION

UB women’s basketball is ahead of schedule

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Mar. 19, 2016

My first reaction was shock that Buffalo, fresh off a successful conference tournament run, could look barley competitive. Then I stopped and remembered just how far this team had come from the start of the regular season – how we started to see some of its strengths and how players you didn’t know about five months ago stepped up in moments you could’ve never imagined. I remembered this team is ahead of schedule.

Junior center Cassie Oursler tries to go for a rebound against Ohio State forward Makayla Waterman Friday. The Bulls fell 88-69 against Ohio State in the first round of the NCAA Women's Tournament.

SPORTS

UB women's basketball drops first-ever NCAA Tournament game to Ohio State 88-69

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Mar. 19, 2016

Head coach Felisha Legette-Jack took Friday's loss as a learning experience for both her and the team.

The Buffalo women's basketball team practices in the St. John Arena Thursday afternoon to prepare for its matchup with No. 3 seed Ohio State.

SPORTS

UB women’s basketball looking to come out victorious in first-ever NCAA Tournament game

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Mar. 18, 2016

The surprising upstart Bulls (20-13, 8-10 Mid-American Conference) want to see just how good they really are – and what better way to do that than beating one of the top teams in the country like Ohio State?

SPORTS

UB Bulls come close, end up falling short in NCAA Tournament for second straight year

By Tom Dinki | Mar. 17, 2016

No. 3 seed Miami (26-7, 13-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) took care of business and downed the No. 14 seed Bulls 79-72 in the round of 64 inside Providence College's Dunkin’ Donuts Center.

Sophomore guard Lamonte Bearden (right) drives to the basket against Miami in the Bulls' NCAA Tournament game. Bulls trail 35-33 and Bearden has nine points.

SPORTS

HALFTIME: UB Bulls trail Miami 35-33 in NCAA Tournament

By Tom Dinki | Mar. 17, 2016

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND – The Buffalo men’s basketball team (20-14, 10-8 Mid-American Conference) trails Miami 35-33 at the end of the first half in its opening game of the NCAA Tournament in the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.

OPINION

Legette-Jack and UB women’s basketball’s Cinderella run was long time coming

By Tom Dinki | Mar. 17, 2016

Felisha Legette-Jack is without question the most intense coach on UB’s campus. It’s hard not to leave one of her Buffalo women’s basketball practices or postgame interviews – where she is always both animated, passionate and even a little intimidating – not feeling a little motivated yourself, even if you’re from being a Division-I women’s basketball player. So when Legette-Jack said she wanted to build “the village” or community of support to help grow her young Bulls team this season – it was hard to dismiss it as the campy and cliché coach speak that it would be if 99 percent of coaches said it.

Head coach Nate Oats looks on during the Bulls' open practice Wednesday before their NCAA Tournament against Miami.

SPORTS

UB Bulls continue to play loose heading into second straight NCAA appearance

By Tom Dinki | Mar. 16, 2016

The Bulls (20-14, 10-8 MAC), despite less than ideal circumstances, have been cool and calm this entire unexpected championship repeat season, and will have to stay that way if they want any hope of upsetting No. 3 seed Miami in the round of 64 Thursday night.

(From left to right) Miami Hurricanes Angel Rodriguez, Sheldon McClellan and Tonye Jekiri speak to the media about the Buffalo men's basketball team at the Dunkin' Donuts Center Wednesday afternoon.

SPORTS

What the Miami Hurricanes are saying about the UB Bulls

By Tom Dinki | Mar. 16, 2016

The Bulls (20-14, 10-8 Mid-American Conference) are the No. 14 seed and heavy underdogs, but the Hurricanes favorably compared them to some ACC teams Wednesday afternoon, though they maintained they feel confident Buffalo is good matchup for them.

Miami senior center Tonye Jekiri takes a shot during the Hurricanes' open practice at the Dunkin' Donuts Center Wednesday.

SPORTS

Scouting the UB Bulls’ NCAA Tournament opponent Miami Hurricanes

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Mar. 15, 2016

The Buffalo men’s basketball team (20-14, 10-8 Mid-American Conference) has received the No. 14 seed in the South region of the NCAA Tournament and will play No. 3 seed Miami in Providence, Rhode Island on Thursday night. The Miami Hurricanes (25-7, 13-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) enter the tournament as the No. 10 team in the country and received an at-large bid after losing to No. 4 Virginia (26-7, 13-5 ACC) in the ACC Tournament Semifinals.

Sophomore guard Stephanie Reid looks to go to the basket in a 55-52 victory over Bowling Green on Feb. 24.

SPORTS

UB women’s basketball to face No. 3 seed Ohio State in NCAA Tournament

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Mar. 15, 2016

The Bulls (20-13, 8-10 Mid-American Conference) were awarded a No. 14 seed in the Sioux Falls Region and will face No. 3 seed Ohio State (24-7, 15-3 Big Ten).

Head coach Nate Oats disagrees with a call during the Bulls' 71-69 loss to Toledo at Alumni Arena on Feb. 9.

SPORTS

UB Bulls to play Miami in NCAA Tournament round of 64

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Mar. 13, 2016

The Bulls (20-14, 10-8 Mid-American Conference) earned a No. 14 seed in the South region and will play No. 3 seed Miami (25-7, 13-5 Atlantic Coast Conference).

Junior wing Blake Hamilton hit a game-winning three point shot with three seconds remaining Saturday to give the Bulls their second straight MAC Tournament Championship and send the team to its second straight NCAA Tournament.

SPORTS

Hamilton’s three gives UB Bulls back-to-back MAC Championships

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Mar. 13, 2016

The Bulls (20-14, 10-8 Mid-American Conference) won their second straight MAC Championship and will make their second straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

Sophomore guard Stephanie Reid drives to the basket against Miami Ohio on Feb. 20. Reid scored the game-winning buzzer beater in Buffalo's first-ever MAC Championship Saturday.

SPORTS

UB women’s basketball claims first-ever MAC Championship, headed to first NCAA Tournament

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Mar. 12, 2016

The No. 8 seed Bulls (20-13, 8-10 MAC) defeated No. 2 seed Central Michigan (22-12, 14-4 MAC) 73-71 in overtime of the MAC Tournament Championship game in Cleveland, Ohio Saturday.

Sophomore guard Lamonte Bearden, who scored 15 points in Buffalo's MAC Semifinal victory over Ohio Friday, looks to defend during the Bulls' MAC Championship game victory over Central Michigan in Quicken Loans Arena last year.

SPORTS

UB Bulls headed back to MAC Tournament Championship game after defeating Ohio

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Mar. 12, 2016

The No. 3 seed Bulls defeated No. 2 seed Ohio (21-11, 11-7 MAC) 88-74 in the MAC Semifinals Friday – Buffalo’s third straight win and fifth victory in its last seven games. Buffalo will face No. 1 seed Akron in the MAC Championship game Saturday with an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament on the line.

Photo: Head coach Felisha Legette-Jack and her team celebrate during a game against Ball State in Alumni Arena on Feb. 6.

SPORTS

UB women’s basketball defeats Akron, advances to first-ever MAC Championship game

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Mar. 11, 2016

The Buffalo women’s basketball team is one win away from making ts first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. Behind its best offensive performance in conference play this season, the No. 8 seed Bulls (19-13, 8-10 Mid-American Conference) continued its Cinderella run Friday by defeating No. 5 seed Akron (19-13, 11-7 MAC) 88-87 in a highly contested MAC Tournament Semifinals in Cleveland, Ohio.

Head coach Nate Oats coaches during Buffalo's 76-64 victory over Ball State in Alumni Arena on Jan. 26.

SPORTS

UB Bulls advance to MAC Semifinals for second straight year

By Jordan Grossman | Mar. 11, 2016

The No. 3 seed Bulls (18-14, 10-8 Mid-American Conference) broke out in the three-point department and combined that with stingy defense to knock off No. 11 seed Miami Ohio (13-20, 6-12 MAC) 94-81 in MAC Tournament Quarterfinals in Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena Thursday night.