Thursday, March 12
Cleveland, Ohio / Rocket Arena
Approximately 4 p.m.
University at Buffalo
vs
(2) Akron
Photo by: Paul Hokanson/UB Athletics
Bulls and Zips to Battle it Out in MAC Tournament Quarterfinal on Thursday
3/11/2026 5:38:00 PM | Men's Basketball
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The University at Buffalo men's basketball program (17-14, 7-11 MAC) will play their first Mid-American Conference Tournament game under Head Coach George Halcovage III on Thursday afternoon against the reigning MAC Champion Akron Zips (26-5, 17-1 MAC). Tip-off from Rocket Arena is set for approximately 4 p.m. on ESPN+. Josh Whetzel will be on the radio call on Buffalo 1520/Rochester 1280 and on the Varsity Network App.
This will be the third time the Bulls and Zips will see each other this season.
LAST TIME OUT
The Bulls are coming off a 99-78 road loss at Toledo last Friday evening. Ryan Sabol led the Bulls with 26 points as he drilled six three-pointers. Angelo Brizzi added 21 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Tim Oboh scored 15 points with six rebounds and a block. Noah Batchelor led the Bulls with seven rebounds.
ABOUT THE ZIPS
• Akron Head Coach John Groce is in his ninth season with the Zips where he's led them to a 194-93 (.676) overall record. Prior to his time in Akron, he spent five seasons at Illinois (2012-17) and four seasons at Ohio (2008-12). In his career, he holds an overall record of 376-225 (.626). He is 17-12 against Buffalo in his career. He has guided the Zips to three MAC Tournament Championships over the last four seasons.
• The Zips were selected first in the 13-team league in the Mid-American Conference Preseason Poll with 143 points and 11 first place votes. The Zips earned a total of eight All-MAC honors.
• The Zips are led by Tavari Johnson (20.2 ppg) and Amani Lyles (14.8 ppg & 7.5 rpg).
THE BULL-ETIN BOARD
• Ryan Sabol set the single season three-pointers made program record on Friday at Toledo when he made six on the night. His 116 threes this season broke Zach Filzen's 2010-11 season where he made 110. They are the only Bulls to record 100 threes in a single season.
• The Bulls are 24-20 (.545) all-time in the MAC Tournament and are 4-3 against the Zips. In neutral site games at Rocket Arena, the Bulls are 18-14 (.563). In the MAC Quarterfinals, they're 7-8 (.467). Four of their last five MAC Tournament games have been against Akron.
• On Wednesday morning it was announced by the MAC that Ryan Sabol and Daniel Freitag earned All-MAC honors. Sabol garnered Third Team honors with Freitag taking home Honorable Mention accolades. Sabol led the Bulls with 355 points in conference play, good for 19.7 ppg and third in the MAC. He tallied 10 20-point performances during league play. Freitag led the team with 20.2 ppg in 11 conference games played.
• Since the beginning of February, Angelo Brizzi and Akron's Tavari Johnson have led the MAC in scoring. The former leads the league with 20.9 ppg as the latter is just behind at 20.0 ppg during that time frame.
• Ryan Sabol became the first Bull to record a 500-point, 100-assist season since CJ Massinburg did so in 2018-19. The only other Bulls to record such a season are Blake Hamilton (2016-17) and current General Manager Turner Battle in 2004-05.
• Ryan Sabol is the first Bull to record back-to-back 400-point seasons since Jeenathan Williams did so from 2020-22. Sabol is 21 points away from becoming just the third Bull in program history to record a 600-point season. Javon McCrea scored 611 points in 2012-13 as CJ Massinburg did so in back-to-back seasons from 2017-19, scoring 605 and 636, respectfully.
• Angelo Brizzi recorded Buffalo's first 50-steal season since Zid Powell did so in 2022-23 when he finished with 53. Brizzi has 56 steals on the season.
• Tim Oboh finished the MAC regular season third in blocks per game and total blocks with 1.8 and 32, respectfully.
• For the first time since the 2018-19 season, the Bulls have three players with 80+ assists each. Derrick Talton Jr. leads the team with 105 as Ryan Sabol has 104 with Daniel Freitag adding 87.
• UB has recorded 37 20-point performances this season, tying their 2018-19 seaon.. Last year they finished with just 16 such games.
For all the latest on UB men's basketball, follow @UBuffaloMBB on Twitter/X, @ubuffalo_mbb on Instagram and like the UB Men's Basketball Facebook page.
Click here for ticket information.
Click here for information on the Bulls Championship Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
This will be the third time the Bulls and Zips will see each other this season.
LAST TIME OUT
The Bulls are coming off a 99-78 road loss at Toledo last Friday evening. Ryan Sabol led the Bulls with 26 points as he drilled six three-pointers. Angelo Brizzi added 21 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Tim Oboh scored 15 points with six rebounds and a block. Noah Batchelor led the Bulls with seven rebounds.
ABOUT THE ZIPS
• Akron Head Coach John Groce is in his ninth season with the Zips where he's led them to a 194-93 (.676) overall record. Prior to his time in Akron, he spent five seasons at Illinois (2012-17) and four seasons at Ohio (2008-12). In his career, he holds an overall record of 376-225 (.626). He is 17-12 against Buffalo in his career. He has guided the Zips to three MAC Tournament Championships over the last four seasons.
• The Zips were selected first in the 13-team league in the Mid-American Conference Preseason Poll with 143 points and 11 first place votes. The Zips earned a total of eight All-MAC honors.
• The Zips are led by Tavari Johnson (20.2 ppg) and Amani Lyles (14.8 ppg & 7.5 rpg).
THE BULL-ETIN BOARD
• Ryan Sabol set the single season three-pointers made program record on Friday at Toledo when he made six on the night. His 116 threes this season broke Zach Filzen's 2010-11 season where he made 110. They are the only Bulls to record 100 threes in a single season.
• The Bulls are 24-20 (.545) all-time in the MAC Tournament and are 4-3 against the Zips. In neutral site games at Rocket Arena, the Bulls are 18-14 (.563). In the MAC Quarterfinals, they're 7-8 (.467). Four of their last five MAC Tournament games have been against Akron.
• On Wednesday morning it was announced by the MAC that Ryan Sabol and Daniel Freitag earned All-MAC honors. Sabol garnered Third Team honors with Freitag taking home Honorable Mention accolades. Sabol led the Bulls with 355 points in conference play, good for 19.7 ppg and third in the MAC. He tallied 10 20-point performances during league play. Freitag led the team with 20.2 ppg in 11 conference games played.
• Since the beginning of February, Angelo Brizzi and Akron's Tavari Johnson have led the MAC in scoring. The former leads the league with 20.9 ppg as the latter is just behind at 20.0 ppg during that time frame.
• Ryan Sabol became the first Bull to record a 500-point, 100-assist season since CJ Massinburg did so in 2018-19. The only other Bulls to record such a season are Blake Hamilton (2016-17) and current General Manager Turner Battle in 2004-05.
• Ryan Sabol is the first Bull to record back-to-back 400-point seasons since Jeenathan Williams did so from 2020-22. Sabol is 21 points away from becoming just the third Bull in program history to record a 600-point season. Javon McCrea scored 611 points in 2012-13 as CJ Massinburg did so in back-to-back seasons from 2017-19, scoring 605 and 636, respectfully.
• Angelo Brizzi recorded Buffalo's first 50-steal season since Zid Powell did so in 2022-23 when he finished with 53. Brizzi has 56 steals on the season.
• Tim Oboh finished the MAC regular season third in blocks per game and total blocks with 1.8 and 32, respectfully.
• For the first time since the 2018-19 season, the Bulls have three players with 80+ assists each. Derrick Talton Jr. leads the team with 105 as Ryan Sabol has 104 with Daniel Freitag adding 87.
• UB has recorded 37 20-point performances this season, tying their 2018-19 seaon.. Last year they finished with just 16 such games.
For all the latest on UB men's basketball, follow @UBuffaloMBB on Twitter/X, @ubuffalo_mbb on Instagram and like the UB Men's Basketball Facebook page.
Click here for ticket information.
Click here for information on the Bulls Championship Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
Players Mentioned
Guard/Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's BasketballUB Men's Basketball celebrates a big win vs. Eastern Michigan!
Wednesday, March 04
MBB Post Game Press Conference vs Eastern Michigan
Wednesday, March 04
MASCOT MANIA at Buffalo!
Monday, March 02
Men's Basketball vs Central Michigan post game press conference
Saturday, February 28
