Four games into the men's basketball season, Bulls fans don't consider it too early to start hungrily eyeing a conference title, especially for a Bulls team that seems to have a little sports magic in its step and a rapidly growing bandwagon.
"Based on the men's basketball brilliant performance on the court the last couple of games, and not to mention last season's winning streak, I have a gut feeling that they just might win the (Mid-American Conference) title," said Andy Kosut of Lewiston.
Thanks to an exciting run into the playoffs last season, an increasing number of Western New York residents like Kosut are lining up at Alumni Arena and paying to see the Bulls, who defeated Colgate Wednesday night 74-62.
But having been such a big part of last year's success, the students continue to be the first ones in line at Alumni.
"It looks like a promising year," said Andrew McDermott, a freshman undecided major. "So far so good."
While many students went home before for Thanksgiving before last Tuesday night's game, both new and old fans who came out for the home opener got to see one of the most exciting UB games in years. Down by seven with 30 seconds left in the game, the Bulls tied it with one second left and beat Fairleigh Dickinson in overtime.
Having won three straight games after a loss to nationally ranked Connecticut, fans are starting to believe the media buzz isn't just all hype. Along with a team profile on ESPN.com, several polls have picked the Bulls to win the MAC East division.
"I have only recently come to the games since last year due to all the hype going around with the media," said political science graduate student Justin Deplato. "There were a lot more people at tonight's game, but the home opener proved to be quite exciting."
According to Paul Vecchio, director of communications for the athletics department, ticket sales have increased dramatically this season for a variety of reasons.
"(It's) a combination of a very entertaining and highly competitive men's basketball team, in conjunction with season ticket packages which carries a dual sales mentality where both men's and women's basketball games are included," he said. "And increased advertisement through UB publications have helped to increase our ticket sales.
Vecchio said he believes the new seat backs in both the old student section and gold-section seats are also helping to put Bulls fans back in the saddle again.
"I do think that more chair backs also did play a part in aiding in ticket sales because it provides greater comfort for spectators," he said.
Although the student section courtside is now smaller and higher up, and spread out to the bleachers, some UB students said they are pleased with the new renovations.
"I personally really like the layout of the new student sections," said Jeremy Howard, a senior communication major. "We only sell out of tickets to fill up the whole arena twice a year, so students shouldn't complain if there are less seats."
But not everyone is happy with the changes. Tim Matthews, who formerly performed as Victor E. Bull, the school mascot, said he feels the designated seating is not sufficient to house a greater number of UB fans as the team improves and draws a bigger fan base.
"It looks to me like the student sections do not allow our UB students to make greater noise since they are divided in the north and south bleachers," Matthews said. "In other words, we are not united."
According to Vecchio, the new student sections and further renovations were necessary to meet specific guidelines and rules with MAC schools.
"We made a commitment to provide 40 percent of the total seats to UB students, but there has always been a requirement that we provide the visiting team seating allocation behind their bench and we must continue to honor this."
Vecchio, like many UB Bulls fans, said he believes this year could be a promising one for the men's team.
"I can't speak for Coach Witherspoon," he said, "but our administration continues to be pleased with their performance, and I for one am certain that our team will have a chance at the MAC title if they continue to be focused."
