So, it's early Saturday afternoon in week one of March Madness and the MAC is down to one team still playing. UT, CMU, and Kent went down in their tournaments, leaving just the Buffalo Bulls still in play.
And how in play they are. The Bulls destroyed Arizona State in their first-round game. I, for one, would love to see the national media find a way to talk about Buffalo for 60 straight seconds without mentioning Bobby Hurley. Nate Oats can coach and he deserves some credit, not just being mentioned as riding Hurley's temperamental coattails.
The Bulls pulled 1.23 points per possession in an NCAA Tourney game and allowed 1 ppp. Massinburg, Graves, Harris and Perkins were all incredibly effective for Buffalo.
Look, they are slipping. They beat Arizona by 21 last year in the first round.
That's a joke, son.
The last MAC team to win games in consecutive tournaments was that Kent team they are normally compared to. Kent did it in the 01 and 02 tournaments and in 02 made the Elite Eight. If Buffalo wins tomorrow, they will be the first MAC team in the Sweet Sixteen since OU in 2012.
It won't be easy. Texas Tech is an underrated team if you can be that and win the Big 12 title. Kenpom gives Texas Tech a 66% chance to win and ESPN has them at 72%. Vegas has it at 3.5 points. I believe UB will give them all they can handle...and I think the Bulls are being under-respected a little, even with a 6 seed. This is the best team UB has played this year and it isn't close, but in no way do I think they will be over-matched.
Last thing. I keep hearing how Nate Oats is winning "with Hurley's players." Would you like to know how many points last night were scored by a player who played for Hurley?
The number is zero.
Go get 'em Bulls. Make us proud.
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