Sports - The Spectrum

OPINION

Successful first year of Lance Leipold era doesn’t need wins

By Tom Dinki | Sep. 3, 2015

Leipold’s first season in Buffalo probably won’t result in the program’s second-ever MAC Championship or third-ever bowl appearance – and it doesn’t have to. Leipold’s first season in Buffalo only has to a result in a competitive MAC team that will be just entertaining enough to fill up UB Stadium seats this season and make season ticket holders want to renew for next season.

OPINION

For UB Bulls, wait ’til next year

By Jordan Grossman | Sep. 3, 2015

Fans want to see action. Unless someone is an avid football fan who loves defensive matchups, most fans want to witness a shootout. For a school that is trying to rebuild its image for a depleted football program, the best option is to give fans what they want: a fast-paced, high-scoring offense. And that’s exactly what Buffalo will do this upcoming season.

The Bulls' defense poses in a spring practice at the Buffalo Bills Field House. The Bulls' defense will be going through a makeover this season.

SPORTS

UB Bulls look into new personnel, scheme on defense in 2015

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Sep. 3, 2015

It’s no surprise this year’s version of Buffalo's defense has many question marks, loaded with new faces and the obstacle of the unexpected after the departure of many fixtures. But a new coaching regime poses an opportunity to revamp an inexperienced defense and turn Buffalo into contenders on both sides of the ball.

(From left to right) Anthone Taylor, Joe Licata and Ron Willoughby are Buffalo's 'triplets,' who will provide the Bulls' offense with stability in their senior seasons.

SPORTS

UB's Triplets: Joe Licata, Anthone Taylor and Ron Willoughby

By Tom Dinki | Sep. 3, 2015

The Bulls have three seniors who give Buffalo a dynamic trio of seniors that could possibly propel the team through the season.

OPINION

A UB Bulls’ decision to dismiss Moss themselves would have been a tough one, but a good one

By Tom Dinki | Sep. 2, 2015

The men’s basketball team should have dismissed Moss itself. It would have been a tough decision – maybe even an unpopular one with some Bulls fans. But the right one.

Junior midfielder Dana Lytle dribbling a ball up the field. Lytle will be an important piece in the soccer team’s run to another conference championship.

SPORTS

Back to back: UB women’s soccer looks to repeat as MAC Champions

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Sep. 2, 2015

Last season, the Bulls finished with a record of 16-3-3, won their first-ever Mid-American Conference Championship while earning the program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament bid in the process. And with the 2015-16 season underway, the Bulls (2-2) are poised to defend their title as MAC champions – even with the loss of many team-changing seniors.

OPINION

After Justin Moss dismissal, Bulls should look toward future in 2015-16

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Sep. 1, 2015

First former Bulls head coach Bobby Hurley left for Arizona State, and former guard Shannon Evans and recruits Maurice O’Field and Torian Graham went with him. Then forward and reigning Mid-American Conference Player of the Year Justin Moss was expelled from UB, ending his stint with the Bulls to cap off a roller coaster offseason.

Marissa Prinzbach, Megan Lin, Megan Lipski and Cassie Shado share the court during a game. The Bulls will continue its season on Saturday and will play its first home match on Sept. 24.

SPORTS

UB volleyball looks to create different program culture under first-year head coach

By Jordan Grossman | Sep. 1, 2015

The Bulls (0-3), aside from losing important fixtures from last year, know they have a long road to climb in order to reach the top of the conference, especially with an opening weekend sweep where they only grabbed one set win in three matches against Villanova (2-1), Stony Brook (1-2) and No. 1 ranked Penn State (3-0) over this past weekend at the Penn State Classic.

Sophomore guard Stephanie Reid drives up the floor against Akrons' Anita Brown in Buffalo's 87-80 last season.

SPORTS

UB men and women’s basketball announce 2015-16 schedules

By Jordan Grossman | Aug. 28, 2015

The men and women’s basketball teams announced its schedule for the 2015-16 season Friday, highlighted by the men’s two-game stretch against Iowa State and defending NCAA Champion Duke. The women’s schedule is headlined by an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) matchup with Clemson.

Blair Brown Lipsitz (9) spikes the ball as a member of the Penn State volleyball team from 2007-10. Lipsitz, now the Bulls head coach, will take on her former team in her first game as a head coach.

SPORTS

Blair Brown Lipsitz returns to Penn State in UB volleyball head-coaching debut

By Jordan Grossman | Aug. 27, 2015

The Bulls take on Penn State, the No. 1 ranked team in the country, on Friday as Lipsitz’s debut as a head coach will come against the school she helped to win four national titles.

Construction being done on UB Stadium's west side on Aug. 18 to create a premium seating area for donors. The premium seating area was named the Edmond J. Gicewicz Club on Wednesday by the UB Council.

SPORTS

UB Stadium’s soon-to-open premium seating named Edmond J. Gicewicz Club

By Tom Dinki | Aug. 26, 2015

The new namely Edmond J. Gicewicz Club will be a 400-seat private section on the west side of UB Stadium for donors to the Blue and White Fund.

Justin Moss runs down the court during UB's 80-55 victory over Kent State last season. On Monday, it was announced he has been removed from the basketball team and expelled from UB following an on-campus theft, ending his two-year stint with the Bulls.

SPORTS

MAC Player of the Year Justin Moss expelled from UB

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Aug. 24, 2015

Junior forward and reigning Mid-American Conference Player of the Year Justin Moss has been expelled from UB and subsequently dismissed from the basketball team after an on-campus theft earlier this summer.

The women's soccer team walks off the field after its MAC Tournament Semifinal double overtime victory over Ball State in November. The Bulls were predicted to finish first in the MAC East in the preseason coaches poll released Monday.

SPORTS

UB women’s soccer picked to finish first in MAC East

By Tom Dinki | Aug. 17, 2015

But most MAC coaches aren’t predicting Buffalo to repeat as conference tournament champs and to return to the NCAA Tournament.

Justin Moss (23) and two other Bulls teammates could face a suspension or expulsion after an on-campus dorm theft in June, according to The Buffalo News.

SPORTS

Justin Moss, two other UB Bulls teammates, face possible penalties after on-campus theft

By Jordan Grossman | Aug. 10, 2015

Senior forward Justin Moss, along with teammates Raheem Johnson and Mory Diane, could face suspension or expulsion from UB.

OPINION

2014-15 was good to the UB Bulls

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Aug. 3, 2015

In the 2014-15 calendar year, the Bulls had a fair amount of success on the field. Three teams – men’s basketball, women’s soccer and men’s tennis – won their first-ever Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship and earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament. While none went past the first round in their respective tournaments, the fact that “Buffalo” was flashed on three NCAA Tournament selection days was a win in itself.

Kristjan Sokoli (90) setting up on the defensive line before the snap. Sokoli was drafted in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks and is transitioning to playing center.

SPORTS

Former UB Bull Kristjan Sokoli transitions to NFL after being drafted by Seattle Seahawks

By Jordan Grossman | July 31, 2015

Sokoli has spent the last month preparing himself for the rigors of training camp and his goal of making the 53-man roster.

OPINION

Method to my madness: My NCAA Tournament experience helped shape me as a journalist

By Jordan Grossman | July 26, 2015

I never thought one of the best experiences of my life would be traced back to a faulty credit card.

Bobby Hurley walks off the court after a Buffalo win over Western Michigan in Alumni Arena last season. Donors raised about $250,000 for a contract extension for the coach, who ultimately left for Arizona State.

SPORTS

UB Athletics able to retain donations originally made for Bobby Hurley contract extension

By Tom Dinki | July 23, 2015

Buffalo Athletic Director Danny White said about $250,000 was secured from private support for a Hurley contract extension, and that money is now being used to help in other areas of UB Athletics.

SPORTS

UB Bulls fall sports preview

By Jordan Grossman | July 14, 2015

There's several intriguing story lines to watch out for as the football, volleyball and men's and women's soccer teams gear up for the 2015 season. The Spectrum has you covered on what to watch out for.

Lamonte Bearden (1) drives with the ball in an 80-55 win over Kent State on Jan. 30. Bearden and other UB freshmen made a strong impact on their teams in the 2014-15 season and figure to make an even greater impact this season.

SPORTS

Rookies of the year: the top 10 UB Bulls freshmen of 2014-15

By QUENTIN HAYNES | July 7, 2015

Our top 10 freshmen from last season who will look to have even greater impacts as sophomores this season.