As regular season play begins to wind down, the men’s and women’s basketball teams find themselves on contrasting paths. While both squads entered the year with hopes of improvement, the women’s side has had one of their most impressive regular season performances, whereas the men’s squad appear to still be reeling from last year’s problems.
With less than a handful of games remaining before the Mid-American Conference (MAC) postseason tournament, both teams are faced with the opportunity to define their year.
Burke’s Bulls on the rise
Whether there was any doubt that women’s Head Coach Becky Burke could lead UB women’s basketball to success is no longer a question.
The immense triumph of the women’s team has produced numerous signature wins this year, putting them in contention for the No. 1 seed in the MAC standings. Key players, including standout fifth-year guard Chellia Watson, have consistently delivered in every game they play. The teams’ imposing blend of defensive tenacity and offensive prowess has made them one of the most formidable squads in the conference. Their depth has also been a key area, as they have consistently made scoring contributions off the bench.
With a roster filled with experienced upperclassmen and rising stars - coupled with Burke’s tactical approach – the UB Bulls have once again established themselves as one of the teams to look out for in the MAC tournament. Having already secured a spot following last week’s win over Kent State, the Bulls are setting their sights on a return to the finals; where they look to avenge last season’s heartbreaking championship loss.
The women’s team currently boasts a 22-4 overall record and an 11-3 record in MAC play.
Similar struggles, different year
While the men’s team have shown improvement since their historically poor 2023-2024 campaign, they have struggled to find much consistency.
Having battled through a tough season – facing a litany of formidable opponents – head Coach George Halcovage III and his squad failed to generate much traction. The Bulls have failed to secure back-to-back wins since November and currently sit 11th in the MAC standings; putting them on the brink of failing to make the conference tournament for the second consecutive season.
Offensive struggles continue to plague the men’s team, as they sit 11th for total points scored and have the worst turnover ratio in the conference. Their inability to maintain consistent scoring allows opponents to pull away with leads and put games out of reach.
Defensively speaking, while the Bulls have shown that they are able to make stops in certain stretches, they have not been able to do so on a regular basis. On average, Buffalo has allowed 81.1 points per game, the most of any other team in the MAC. These setbacks ultimately contributed to their 8-19 overall record and 3-11 conference record.
Despite the shortcomings, the squad has shown flashes of potential from a few players.
Sophomore guard Ryan Sabol has been on a tear this season with his three-point shooting abilities. Earlier this season, he broke a program record for fastest player to reach 100 career three-pointers and is among the top-10 all-time three point scorers in UB history. Sabol is also currently third in the MAC for total three-pointers this season.
Senior guard Tyson Dunn has also performed admirably in terms of assists. Having marked a total of 148 assists this year alone, he is five away from tying a program record for most assists in a season. Dunn is currently leading the conference in assists and is among the top 50 in the nation according to ESPN.
While the men’s squad certainly boasts its fair share of talent, they will need to improve on working as a collective unit to close their season on a high note.
What’s next
With the postseason approaching and both teams in different positions, they will both look to define their year. The women’s team will look for their shot at MAC glory and a potential NCAA tournament appearance, while the men’s squad will focus on finishing their season strong and continue to lay the groundwork for future improvement.
Rodrigo Feijão is the senior sports editor and can be reached at rodrigo.feijao@ubspectrum.com
