DARREN RIETHMILLER - The Spectrum

NEWS

The Conspiracy Theory

By DARREN RIETHMILLER | Apr. 19, 2004

Everybody on the face of this planet is infatuated with a conspiracy theory or some sort of controversy.There's no reason to try to deny it or make up excuses, everybody loves conspiracy whether it's in your favorite sitcom or overly budgeted movie, and it's everywhere.However, there is a new wave of conspiracy and controversy taking America by storm, and it's getting more publicity than last week's Real World-Road Rules Challenge.

NEWS

Bulls Come Up Short in Weekend Road Trip

By DARREN RIETHMILLER | Apr. 19, 2004

With the regular season winding down and the Mid-American Conference Championships right around the corner, UB's women's tennis team was looking to end on a high note on their weekend road trip, but unfortunately came home with a pair of goose eggs.Sitting at the bottom of the Mid-American Conference standings, Buffalo was looking to make some noise before the MAC Championships that begin this Thursday.Last Friday Buffalo squared off against Toledo in what was a very winnable match for the Bulls, as Toledo (3-15, 1-7 MAC) was riding a 14 match-losing streak.

NEWS

UB Jerseys Hit Stands Next Season

By DARREN RIETHMILLER | Apr. 7, 2004

Take a glance in any major sporting catalog like Eastbay or take a walk through Champs or Finish Line.

NEWS

Battle Forgoes Senior Year to Make Jump to the NBA

By DARREN RIETHMILLER | Mar. 31, 2004

What do Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley all have in common?Each of these three future National Basketball Association hall of famers gave up their senior year of college basketball to make the jump to the NBA.

NEWS

Buffalo Deserved Better

By DARREN RIETHMILLER | Mar. 26, 2004

You could see it in coach Witherspoon's eyes.You could see it on the long faces of Turner Battle, Calvin Cage and Yassin Idbihi.You could see it in the once-raucous crowd of UB support that overflowed the allocated sections for students.Their expressions were not that of shock, but rather disappointment and disgust.

NEWS

The State of the MAC

By DARREN RIETHMILLER | Mar. 24, 2004

Even though the UB men's basketball team did not go as deep into the First Energy Mid-American Conference tournament as supporters had hoped, the team did leave Cleveland with a buzz that was still going come tournament's conclusion.MAC Commissioner Rick Chryst took note of what Buffalo had brought to this year's MAC Tournament along the lines of fan support and appreciation and pointed out that UB was the story of the tournament.Chryst notes that Buffalo, along with the help of the 'Mighty Maniacs,' took the atmosphere of the tournament to the next level."I think every year there is a different story line and UB was a great story for this tournament, regular season, the first round atmosphere, and all that is pretty much a part of coming to Cleveland," said Chryst.

NEWS

The Cleveland Express

By DARREN RIETHMILLER | Mar. 10, 2004

While teams like Manhattan, Northern Iowa and Gonzaga have already earned their berth into NCAA Tournament by winning their respective conferences; the University at Buffalo is just starting to catch that March madness fever that those teams already have.The fever is spreading, fast nonetheless.A record attendance of 8,971 witnessed the Bulls (17-11, 11-7 Mid-American Conference) rewrite history in their first MAC playoff victory and Buffalo will need all the support they can get in Cleveland, Ohio, home of the 2004 First Energy MAC Tournament.Toledo (19-9, 12-6 MAC) is just under two hours from Cleveland, making their Quarterfinal game against the Bulls seem like a home game for the Rockets according to a few MAC coaches.

NEWS

Yassin 'The Dream' Runs Wild

By DARREN RIETHMILLER | Mar. 10, 2004

Monday night against Northern Illinois, the Buffalo Bulls entertained a crowd of 8,971 with a game that can be best described as masterful.The first half was anything but lackluster.

NEWS

Coming of Age

By DARREN RIETHMILLER | Mar. 8, 2004

It's no secret; the recruitment of college athletes is not a piece of cake.Ask anyone associated with college basketball - recruiting is a never-ending, grueling process that sometimes does not yield the results one expects.With that said however, UB head coach Reggie Witherspoon has been having his way with the recruitment game.Three years ago, Witherspoon, along with his staff, recruited a young man out of Kernersville, N.C.

NEWS

Blue Squall Capsizes Kent State

By DARREN RIETHMILLER | Feb. 27, 2004

Five, four, three, two, one.It was over.The victory over Kent State was complete and the Sea of Blue engulfed the court of Alumni Arena in celebratory fashion Wednesday night.The script called for a packed house, for everyone in attendance to contribute to a Sea of Blue, and ultimately for the Buffalo Bulls (13-11, 8-7 MAC) to beat the Mid-American Conference-leading Kent State Golden Flashes (20-4, 13-2 MAC).The fans would not have it any other way.A passionate crowd of 6,176 cheered on their UB Bulls as they shocked the Golden Flashes in dramatic style, 82-66.It was one of the largest crowds ever in Alumni Arena, second only to those who came for 1999's North Carolina game."I'm speechless right now," said junior point guard Turner Battle in his reaction to the court-storming.