Sports - The Spectrum

OPINION

2014-15 was good to the UB Bulls

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Aug. 3, 2015

In the 2014-15 calendar year, the Bulls had a fair amount of success on the field. Three teams – men’s basketball, women’s soccer and men’s tennis – won their first-ever Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship and earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament. While none went past the first round in their respective tournaments, the fact that “Buffalo” was flashed on three NCAA Tournament selection days was a win in itself.

Kristjan Sokoli (90) setting up on the defensive line before the snap. Sokoli was drafted in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks and is transitioning to playing center.

SPORTS

Former UB Bull Kristjan Sokoli transitions to NFL after being drafted by Seattle Seahawks

By Jordan Grossman | July 31, 2015

Sokoli has spent the last month preparing himself for the rigors of training camp and his goal of making the 53-man roster.

OPINION

Method to my madness: My NCAA Tournament experience helped shape me as a journalist

By Jordan Grossman | July 26, 2015

I never thought one of the best experiences of my life would be traced back to a faulty credit card.

Bobby Hurley walks off the court after a Buffalo win over Western Michigan in Alumni Arena last season. Donors raised about $250,000 for a contract extension for the coach, who ultimately left for Arizona State.

SPORTS

UB Athletics able to retain donations originally made for Bobby Hurley contract extension

By Tom Dinki | July 23, 2015

Buffalo Athletic Director Danny White said about $250,000 was secured from private support for a Hurley contract extension, and that money is now being used to help in other areas of UB Athletics.

SPORTS

UB Bulls fall sports preview

By Jordan Grossman | July 14, 2015

There's several intriguing story lines to watch out for as the football, volleyball and men's and women's soccer teams gear up for the 2015 season. The Spectrum has you covered on what to watch out for.

Lamonte Bearden (1) drives with the ball in an 80-55 win over Kent State on Jan. 30. Bearden and other UB freshmen made a strong impact on their teams in the 2014-15 season and figure to make an even greater impact this season.

SPORTS

Rookies of the year: the top 10 UB Bulls freshmen of 2014-15

By QUENTIN HAYNES | July 7, 2015

Our top 10 freshmen from last season who will look to have even greater impacts as sophomores this season.

Will Regan and Xavier Ford are overcome with emotions after Buffalo's MAC Championship win over Central Michigan. The two formed a friendship over their four years together despite coming from different backgrounds.

SPORTS

Graduated UB Bulls Will Regan and Xavier Ford form unexpected bond

By Jordan Grossman | July 2, 2015

Regan and Ford were two of the Buffalo’s instrumental components in the 2014-15 season and have been as equally influential in their four-plus years in Buffalo, on and off the court.

Senior Jonathan Jones (pictured) finished fifth at the USATF Outdoor Championships Sunday. He needed a top-four finish to make Team USA.

SPORTS

UB’s Jonathan Jones just misses cut for World Championships

By QUENTIN HAYNES | June 28, 2015

Jonathan Jones finished fifth in the men’s shot put at the USATF Outdoor Championships on Sunday and missed making the U.S national team.

(From left to right) Buffalo head coach Vicki Mitchell, senior thrower Jonathan Jones and assistant and throws coach Jim Garnham address the media in Alumni Arena Monday morning. Jones will compete to qualify in the world championships.

SPORTS

Jonathan Jones focusing on U.S national team after bringing gold to UB

By Jordan Grossman | June 15, 2015

Last Wednesday Jonathan Jones, a recently graduated senior, automatically qualified as a competitor in the USA Track and Field Championships. He will return to the same field he won gold at in Oregon last week.

SPORTS

UB Bull Jonathan Jones wins gold in shot put at NCAA Championships

By Tom Dinki | June 11, 2015

Senior Jonathan Jones won gold in the shot put at the NCAA Outdoor Championships on Wednesday in Eugene, Oregon with a school-record throw of 20.78 meters.

Senior outfielder Nick Sinay (pictured) was selected in the 22nd round by the Toronto Blue Jays in the MLB Amateur Draft.

SPORTS

UB outfielder Nick Sinay drafted by Toronto Blue Jays

By Jordan Grossman | June 10, 2015

Buffalo senior outfielder Nick Sinay was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 22nd round of the MLB Amateur Draft on Wednesday.

SPORTS

UB sends three track and field athletes to NCAA Championships

By Jordan Grossman | June 10, 2015

Buffalo sent three athletes to Eugene, Oregon to compete at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, beginning on June 10. Mike Morgan, Ryan Billian and Jonathan Jones all seek All-American nods.

Junior running back Anthone Taylor runs through a RedHawks defender during a 222-yard, three-touchdown performance in Buffalo's 35-27 victory over Miami Ohio on Sept. 27. Taylor, along with four teammates, were named to Phil Steele's preseason All-MAC team Monday.

SPORTS

Five UB football players named to Phil Steele’s preseason All-MAC team

By Tom Dinki | June 2, 2015

Five Buffalo football players were named to Phil Steele’s preseason All-Mid-American Conference team on Monday.

The men's basketball team poses with its MAC Tournament Championship trophy after defeating Central Michigan in the title game on March 14 in Cleveland, Ohio. The MAC announced changes to the tournament on Thursday, including eliminating the triple-bye to the semifinal which Buffalo received last season.

SPORTS

MAC changes men’s and women’s basketball tournament formats

By Tom Dinki | May 28, 2015

The MAC has changed its men's and women's basketball tournament formats.

Freshman pitcher Charlotte Miller appears on The Price is Right alongside host Drew Carey in a taping of the show from March that aired this past Friday.

SPORTS

Charlotte Miller, come on down: UB softball pitcher appears on The Price is Right

By Jordan Grossman | May 24, 2015

The softball team attended a taping of The Price is Right on March 16 and the episode aired nationally this past Friday on CBS. Miller advanced to the championship round – the “Showcase Showdown.”

Senior Damien David (pictured) and the men's tennis team fell to Ohio State 4-0 in Buffalo's first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.

SPORTS

UB men’s tennis drops first-ever NCAA Tournament match

By MICHAEL AKELSON | May 10, 2015

The Bulls fell 4-0 to Ohio State in their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.

Sophomore defenseman Nick Forrester of New Zealand attempts a slide tackle. He will join the Bulls for the start of the 2015 season.

SPORTS

UB men's soccer adds two international recruits for 2015 season

By QUENTIN HAYNES | May 7, 2015

UB Athletics announced two new additions to the men’s soccer teams’ 2015 recruiting class in forward Pablo Fernandez-Paniagua Juez of Spain and defender Nick Forrester of New Zealand on Wednesday.

Shannon Evans celebrates during Buffalo's 67-62 victory over Akron on on Feb. 24.

OPINION

Shannon Evans writes good-bye letter to UB

May 6, 2015

It is with a very heavy heart that I say goodbye to the college that I have grown to know and love for the past two years. It was one of the hardest decisions of my life, but I have chosen to transfer to Arizona State to play basketball and reunite with my mentor and father figure, Coach Bobby Hurley.

Senior Curtiss takes a look at the softball field one last time. Curtiss will graduate as UB's all-time leader in hits.

SPORTS

UB softball's Alexis Curtiss begins the next chapter of her life

By MICHAEL AKELSON | May 5, 2015

Eleven-year-old Alexis Curtiss was “the featured presentation” on her prestigious, county championship-winning baseball team, according to her former teammate Callan McClurg.

Sophomore Alexus Malone prepares to shoot a free throw. Malone averaged 10.5 points and 7.7 rebounds in 32 games for the Bulls last season.

SPORTS

Alexus Malone transfers to Louisiana Tech

By Jordan Grossman | May 5, 2015

The women’s basketball team lost its top-two scorers from this past season due to injury and graduation. Now the team has lost its third-leading scorer due to a transfer. Sophomore forward Alexus Malone announced on Friday she is transferring to Louisiana Tech – ending her two-year stint with the Bulls.