Akron
Bulls Travel To MAC-Leading Akron Tuesday Evening
1/27/2020 2:37:00β―PM | Men's Basketball
Buffalo (13-7, 4-3Β MAC) at Akron (16-4, 6-1 MAC)
JanuaryΒ 28, 2020
Rhodes Arena (Akron, OH)Β - 7:00 pm
Radio
Buffalo - ESPN 1520
Rochester - Fox Sports 1280
Hornell - 1480 WLEA
Television
ESPN+
10 Things To Know About Today's Game
1. The Bulls head to MAC-leading Akron on Tuesday night looking to begin a new winning streak after they had their four-game streak snapped on Friday night. Tuesday night's game is homecoming for junior Jayvon Graves who hails from nearby Malvern, OH and played at St. Vincent-St. Mary's in Akron.
2. Buffalo has won five straight games against Akron, including defeating the Zips three times last season, most notably 82-46 in the quarterfinals of the MAC Tournament. UB has won in each of its last two trips to Rhodes Arena.Β
3. Head coach Jim Whitesell recorded his 400th career win against Western Michigan last Tuesday, a feat only 50 other active coaches have achieved. Β Whitesell has a career record of 400-307 in a 25-year career that has included stops at Elmhurst, Lewis, Loyola Chicago, and now Buffalo. Whitesell, who is the 14th head coach in program history, is only the fifth head coach to have at least 13 wins in his first season. He is the third consecutive coach to do it joining Bobby Hurley and Nate Oats.
4. Senior Davonta Jordan moved into third place on UB's career assist list on Friday night as he finished with six to give him 462 for his career, surpassing Turner Battle. Β Next on the list in second place is Michael Washington (1986-89) who finished with 518. Jordan's total is also 22nd in Mid-American Conference history.
5. Buffalo has started the same five players for all 20 games this season. Β UB is one of only two teams in the nation to have started the same five for every game this year joining UNC Asheville.
6. Buffalo is the only team in the nation with their entire starting lineup averaging in double figures. Junior Jayvon Graves leads the Bulls in scoring at 16.6 points per game.
7. Redshirt freshman LaQuill Hardnett has made 23 of his last 24 shots from the floor dating all the way back to UB's game against Missouri State in the Charleston Classic. Β For the season, Hardnett is shooting 30-of-37 (81.1%)
8. Per KenPom, Buffalo now has the shortest average possession length in the nation, at 14.4 seconds, just ahead of Green Bay and Houston Baptist. Overall, the Bulls are sixth in adjusted tempo
9. Β UB is eighth in the nation in rebounds per game at 41.35 and fourth in the nation in offensive boards at 14.40 per game.
10. Over the last five games, UB has dominated the second half, outscoring its opponents 232-187. Β The Bulls have shot 88-of-163 (53.9%) in the second half during the last five games.
Bulls Travel To MAC-Leading Akron Tuesday Evening
Β Β Β The Bulls hit the road for one of their stiffer challenges this season as UB heads to Akron to face the conference-leading Zips. Akron has won seven of its last eight games and sits in a first place tie in the league with Bowling Green. Β Buffalo is looking to start a new winning streak after it had its four-game streak snapped on Friday night.
Β Β Β The Bulls again had another strong second half performance against the Golden Flashes as four players scored in doubles figures, led by senior Davonta Jordan, who also moved into third place on UB's career assist list. Defensively, the Bulls forced Kent State into 18 turnovers.
Β Β Β Akron, who is fifth Β in the country in three-point percentage, only has one loss in conference, which came a week and a half ago to Toledo. Β The Zips have been the most surprising team in the league and they have two of the top three scorers in league games led by 23.86 points per game from Loren Cristian Jackson.
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You Get A Win, And You Get A Win
Β Β Β Since the start of the 2017-18 season, the University at Buffalo men's basketball team has won 72 games, 11th most nationally. Gonzaga leads the way nationally with 86 victories over that time. Β As for MAC programs, the second most wins over the last two plus seasons comes courtesy of Toledo, who has 59, which is tied for 49th.
Dance Dance Revolution
Β Β Β The Bulls have reached the NCAA Tournament four times in the last five years (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019). UB is one of just 28 teams that have played in four NCAA Tournaments over the last five seasons. Β Of those 28 teams, UB is one of just five to have earned their league's automatic bid each time joining Gonzaga (WCC), Kentucky (SEC), Iona (MAAC), and New Mexico State (WAC).
On The Rebound
Β Β Β The Bulls are eighth in the nation in rebounds per game at 41.35 and fourth in the country in offensive boards. Only once this season has Buffalo failed to hit double figures in offensive rebounding, which was at Vanderbilt. Sophomore Josh Mballa is 21st in the nation in offensive boards, averaging 3.70 per game. Sophomore Jeenathan Williams had a career best seven offensive boards against Northern Illinois. Β UB had a season high 53 rebounds in the win over DePaul, its most in a game since last year's MAC Quarterfinal win over Akron when they finished with 55 rebounds. The Bulls had 50 rebounds against Central Michigan marking the third time they have had at least 50 boards in a game. Β UB did it three times altogether last season in 36 games. In the win over Niagara, UB held the Purple Eagles to just 23 boards, the lowest by an opponent this year and the fewest by the opposition since Le Moyne had 22 on Dec, 5, 2018. UB has recorded more rebounds than its opponent 13 times this year, including in seven of the last nine games. Β The Bulls had 43 rebounds against Miami getting 13 boards from Mballa and 10 more from senior guard Davonta Jordan.Β
Whitesell Back In Charge
Β Β Β For the first time since the 2010-11 season, UB head coach Jim Whitesell is back in charge of a basketball program. Β Whitesell, who served the last four years as associate head coach for the Bulls, was named the 14th head coach in program history this past April.
Β Β Β Whitesell brings a long and accomplished resume into the season. Β His previous head coaching job was at Loyola (Chicago) where he was in charge of the Ramblers' program from 2004-11, finishing with a 109-107 record in seven seasons in charge. He is one of only five coaches in the history of Loyola Basketball with more than 100 wins. Prior to his time at Loyola, Whitesell also served as head coach at Elmhurst College and Lewis University, where he had his most success, going 214-126 in 12 Β seasons. Β Recently he was inducted into the Lewis Hall of Fame. Β Β Β Β
Β Β Β Following his time at Loyola, Whitesell made assistant coaching stops at Saint Louis and St. John's where he worked for a pair of legendary head coaches in the late Rick Majerus and Steve Lavin before joining Nate Oats in Buffalo. Whitesell picked up his first career UB win on Nov. 11 against Nazareth and he hit a professional milestone on Jan. 21 against Western Michigan when he secured his 400th career victory. Β Whitesell now has a career record of 400-308 in his tenure as a head coach. The 400 wins are 51st amongst all active head coaches.
Air Jordan
Β Β Β The Bulls look to the veteran presence of senior point guard Davonta Jordan who is in his fourth year with the program and has played in 122 career games.Β
Β Β Β Jordan has been named the MAC's all-defensive team each of the last two seasons as he has recorded 93 steals over the last two year. Β In each of his three seasons, Jordan as constantly increased his scoring, capped off by averaging 7.4 points per game last year. In the season opener, Jordan led the Bulls with 17 points, 13 of those coming over the final 12 minutes of the game. Β He tied his career high with four three-pointers, while adding six rebounds and four steals.Β
Β Β Β In the Charleston Classic, Jordan had a double-double with 10 points and tied his career high with 10 assists in the win over Towson. Β In the final game against Missouri St., Jordan set a then career high in scoring with 25 points, hitting 5-of-6 shots from three point range. Jordan had seven steals against William & Mary, fourth in school history in a single game and tied for the most by a player this year. In the victory over DePaul, Jordan became just the fifth player in school history to surpass the 400-assist mark for his career. Β He also finished just shy of a triple-double with 12 points, a career high nine rebounds, and eight assists. It was the first of two straight games where he flirted with a triple-double, adding 14 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists.Β
Β Β Β Jordan notched a new career high with 26 points in the win over Canisius, tying his career high with nine rebounds. He had eight assists in the win over Niagara as he was named the MAC East Player of the Week for the first time in his career. He recorded a new career high in rebounding in the win at Miami with 10 boards, notching his second double-double of the year. With six assists against Kent State, Jordan moved into third place on Buffalo's all-time assist list, surpassing Turner Battle (2001-05). His assist total is now first in Buffalo's modern era, which began in 1991-92, when UB returned to Division I athletics.
From Beyond The Graves
Β Β Β Junior Jayvon Graves was named to the preseason All-MAC East Division team as he is coming off a sophomore season where he started in 35 games and averaged 9.7 points per game. He added 4.2 rebounds per contest and 67 assists. Β He scored in double figures 17 times last season, including a career high 26 points against Ohio. Β He finished with 17 points in the MAC Championship win against Bowling Green and added 13 points in Buffalo's NCAA Tournament First Round victory over Arizona State.
Β Β Β Graves is a native of Malvern, OH where he played his high school at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, the same school as Lebron James. He opened the 2019 season with 15 points against Dartmouth and added 17 more against Nazareth. Graves had 17 points in the win over Harvard, including a buzzer-beating three. Β He had his best night in Charleston against Towson where the junior finished with 25 points and eight rebounds. Graves added 24 points on a career-best 10 made field goals against William & Mary and added 21 points against DePaul. He added 22 points in the win over Niagara and set a career high with 28 points in the win over St. Bonaventure. Graves, who added 25 points in the win over Miami and 23 against Western Michigan, has scored in double figures in 18 of 20 games this season and he leads UB in scoring at 16.6 points per game.
No Sophomore Slump
Β Β Β The Bulls are relying on a pair of sophomores this season, who both saw action in all 36 games last year, but played limited minutes. Β Both Jeenathan Williams and Ronaldo Segu have already set career highs in all offensive categories.
Β Β Β Playing the sixth man roll, Segu had 17 points against Nazareth and a career high 21 against Harvard. Β He has shot just under 87% from the floor in those two games as well. Β He had 12 assists and just two turnovers in those games. Segu had 14 points in the win over DePaul, including draining a pair of threes right before the half. He added 14 more points in the win over Canisius. Segu gave the Bulls a spark in the win over Miami as he had 16 points and six assists in a reserve role.
Β Β Β Williams has started in every game so far for the Bulls. He finished with 10 points and eight rebounds in Buffalo's win over Harvard. Β Williams was named to the preseason All-Big 4 second team prior to the year. Β Williams scored a career best 17 points in the victory over Missouri State as he went 6-of-12 from the floor, including a pair of three pointers. Β On the defensive end he chipped in two blocks and three steals. Williams had 13 points against Army West Point, including three offensive rebounds. He drained a huge three-pointer late in the win over Canisius and finished with 12 points against the Griffs. He notched his first career double-double with 19 points and a career high 10 rebounds against Niagara. Williams scored a new career high with 26 points in the win over Ohio, 24 of those coming in the second half. He was named MAC East Player of the Week on Jan. 20 after he added a game-high 18 points in the win over Central Michigan. He had a stretch of nine straight games in double figures snapped Tuesday against WMU.
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Newish Faces Emerge
Β Β Β Two players that were a huge part of the team's success, but were unable to see action were senior transfers Antwain Johnson and Gabe Grant. Β Both players sat out the 2018-19 campaign due to NCAA Transfer rules, but served as valuable members of the scout team.
Β Β Β Now with their transfer year in the review mirror, both players are ready to give it their all for one final season.
Β Β Β Johnson, a transfer from Middle Tennessee State, started in Buffalo's exhibition win over Daemen and had 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting. Β Johnson lit it up from three against Harvard as he finished with 19 points, including going 5-of-7 from three point range. In two seasons at Middle Tennessee State, Johnson averaged 7.3 points per game, including 10.3 points per contest in 2017-18. Β His career high in scoring came on Feb. 3, 2018 at Charlotte when he scored 23 points. Johnson hit a pair of game-winning free throws in the victory over Missouri St., while also claiming the Blue Collar hard hat against the Bears. Johnson scored 18 points in the win over Ohio. He scored a new Buffalo career high with 21 points in the win against Western Michigan.
Β Β Β Grant, who came to the Bulls from Houston, was impressive off the bench in the exhibition opener, leading the Bulls in scoring with 19 points and six rebounds. Β Grant played in 24 games in his lone season at Houston, scoring a career best 12 points against East Carolina on Feb. 25, 2018.Β
It's Still Brock And Roll To Me
Β Β Β Junior Brock Bertram readies for his third season of action this upcoming year. Bertram, who redshirted his first season, has continued to improve each year. Last season, the Apple Vally, MN native played in 20 games, averaging 1.1 points per contest. Β He shot over 61% from the floor when he was out there. Β More impressive was the performance of Bertram on the scout team over the last three years, a big reason for the success of three-time MAC Sixth Man of the Year, Nick Perkins.
Β Β Β Bertram made his season debut in the MAC opener against Northern Illinois after missing the first 13 games due to a foot injury. Β He had three rebounds in limited action. In his second game against Ball State, Bertram had a career high three blocked shots, while also recording his first points of the season. He finished with four points and tied his career high with six rebounds against Miami.
We've Got Experience Too!
Β Β Β In all, this year's men's basketball team has five players who have been a part of another Division I institution during their careers.
- Β Β Β Antwain Johnson - Middle Tennessee St.
- Β Β Β Gabe Grant - Houston
- Β Β Β Josh Mballa - Texas Tech
- Β Β Β LaQuill Hardnett - Cincinnati
- Β Β Β David Nickelberry - Memphis
Β Β Β Mballa was a member of the Texas Tech squad in 2018-19 that finished as national runners up. Β Mballa and the Red Raiders met up with the Bulls in the NCAA Round of 32 in Tulsa. He played in 17 games at Texas Tech with his career high in scoring coming against the Kansas Jayhawks on Feb. 2, 2019. Mballa had 15 points against UConn and followed that up with his first double-double of the year, scoring 13 points and adding 11 rebounds against Towson. Mballa had scored in double figures in five straight games prior to Ball State and eight of the last 10 following a career best 18 against Western Michigan. Β He had 14 rebounds at DePaul and a career-best 15 against St. Bonaventure. Β He added 13 boards against Miami and leads the Bulls in boards at 8.8 per contest.
Β Β Β Hardnett redshirted his freshman season at Cincinnati and he registered career highs with nine point and 11 rebounds against Canisius. Β He played solid minutes at Central Michigan, recording six points and five boards. and had eight points and six rebounds against Western Michigan. Β Hardnett is shooting just over 80% from the floor this season going 30-of-37 from the field.
History On The Horizon
Β Β Β The Bulls are looking to accomplish something this season that has never been done in Mid-American Conference history as no MAC school has ever won five conference tournament titles in a six-year period. Β Last season, the Bulls became the first MAC team to win four conference titles in a five year period. The MAC Tournament dates back to the 1979-80 season.Β
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