The men’s basketball team lost three of its starters from last season to graduation – including all-time leading scorer Javon McCrea. This season, the Bulls feature five freshmen and only two returning seniors.
On Thursday night, Buffalo had an opportunity to test its new system.
That system was effective in its first game.
The Bulls defeated Wheeling Jesuit 79-60 in their first action of the 2014-15 season Thursday night at Alumni Arena. Although it was only an exhibition, the team was able to test its new personnel before the season officially begins Nov. 14 against South Dakota State.
“I thought it was a good test for us to play in front of a live crowd tonight,” said head coach Bobby Hurley. “I’m still learning my team. I’m still playing different combinations of players. That’s the great thing about playing an exhibition. It’s how these player play in the flow of the game.”
The Bulls and the Cardinals went back and forth in the first 10 minutes of the game before Buffalo pulled away on an 11-4 run that give the Bulls a 10-point advantage that lead to a 42-33 halftime score in the Bulls’ favor.
Wheeling Jesuit did not make its first basket of the second half until a 3-pointer 3:24 into the second half. The basket ended a 9-0 Buffalo run that gave it an 18-point lead.
Despite the eventual 19-point win, Hurley was not pleased with the Buffalo ‘D.’
“We had some breakdowns defensively that we have to clean up,” Hurley said. “I also wasn’t happy about protecting the paint in the first half.”
Buffalo was outrebounded 44-33 and allowed 28 points in the paint during the game. Senior forward Will Regan calls the team’s rebounding play a “wake-up call.”
The Buffalo offense outperformed the defense Thursday night.
Sophomore guard Shannon Evans shot 6 of 12, totaling 14 points, six assists and three rebounds in the win. Evans – who made the All-MAC Freshman Team last season – finished last season with 8.5 points and 3.3 assists per game.
Evans said he has to share the ball with his teammates in order to achieve success.
“I was trying to get my team involved early,” Evans said. “I notice we need more ball movement and getting my teammates more involved is key to our success. I try to get my teammates the ball when they’re open.”
Regan led the team with 16 points on 4-of-5 shooting and 3 of 4 from beyond the arc. Regan also grabbed eight rebounds, second to junior forward Raheem Johnson who had nine.
Regan has taken on intangible responsibilities on the team, such as leading team meetings during timeouts after the departure of vocal leaders such as McCrea and Jarod Oldham. Regan said he is ready and excited to accept the role.
“Last year, I relied on Javon and Jarod to do the [talking during timeouts] so I learned from them,” Regan said. “Now, I’m trying to have the right mindset coming out of the timeout and getting ready for the next level of play.”
The Bulls turned the ball over 10 times compared to Wheeling Jesuit’s 22 turnovers. Buffalo scored 23 points of the Cardinals’ turnovers.
Sophomore forward Justin Moss was held out of the game due to an undisclosed team violation. His status for the first regular season matchup next Friday is uncertain, according to Hurley.
Despite losing key players from last season, the Bulls are confident the young core of players at the teams’ disposal will learn to play and win together.
“I thought it was a good test for us to play in front of a live crowd tonight,” Hurley said. “Prior to the season beginning, it will be beneficial to us to have a lot of young guys and a young group. We need to have a great week of practice heading into our first game on Friday night.”
The Bulls will play their first regular season matchup next Friday against South Dakota State at Alumni Arena. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
email: sports@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Ryan Hagen | UB Athletics
Photo: Paul Hokanson / UB Athletics
