Buffalo Bulls

NCAAB Buffalo Bulls

General Team Information

NCAA Division: Division I
Conference: Mid-American Conference
Past Conferences: MAC, Ind, SUNYAC, East Coast Conference, Mid-Continent Conference
City: Amherst, New York
Stadium: Alumni Arena

Championships:

National Championships: 0
Conference Titles: 4
NCAA Tournaments: 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019

Buffalo Bulls Basketball Teams’ History

The Buffalo Bulls men’s basketball team competed in the 1915-16 season as an individual team. In the 1988-89 season, the team competed in the MAC. The Bulls went through numerous conference changes in the latter part of the program’s history.

In 1930-31, during Arthur Powell’s 28-year tenure at UB, the team went 15-0, the only undefeated season in the program’s history. The university also changed its nickname from the Bisons to the Bulls the following season. From 1943 to 45, there was no team because of WWII.

In 1956-57, the team was 18-7 and played in the inaugural NCAA Small College DivisionTournament. The program made four straight tournament appearances during the Division II era, making six in total until 1965. 1964-65 is when the Bulls men’s basketball team won 14 consecutive games and placed second in the NCAA Mid-East Regional Tournament. Although the college had hoped for smooth sailing, several problems needed to be fixed along the way.

First Season in the SUNYAC

Coach Leo Richardson resigned and was eventually replaced by Bill Hughes in 1978-79, the Bulls’ first season in the SUNYAC because the SUNY prohibited athletic grants-in-aid. Because of his guidance, he was named SUNYAC Coach of the Year with a 17-10 record (10-0 in the SUNYAC Western Division). During the 1990-91 season, the league reinstated the collegiate program to Division I status.

During the 1994-95 season, Buffalo joined the Mid-Continent Conference and finished 18-10, its best record in 30 years at the time. Fast forward to the 1998-1999 season and the present, the school is once again a part of the MAC.

In terms of tournament success, the Buffalo Bulls team stats displayed dominance in the 2018-19 season where the team was able to upset the Arizona Wildcats in the opening round with a 32-4 record in the regular season. The first half was a neck and neck battle until the Bulls pulled away in the second half with a 49-30 difference. In recent years, Odds were the greatest during this year as they upset the four-seeded Wildcats.

During Bob Hurley and Nate Oats’ respective tenures (2014-2019), the program made it to the dance four times, in 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019. Currently, Jim Whitesell is looking to get back to the biggest stage as the program lost in the first round of the NIT in 2021. As other programs in the Conference have also made strides, the NCAAB odds for this collegiate aren’t great.

All-Time Records

Points Scored

Javon McCrea 2,004
C.J. Massinburg 1,990
Rasaun Young 1,908

Rebounds

Javon McCrea 988
Sam Pellom 968
Nick Perkins 848

Assists

Davonta Jordan 522
Turner Battle 458
Jarod Oldham 409

Steals

Louis Campbell 198
Andy Robinson 187
Davonta Jordan182

Buffalo Bulls Standings FAQs

What Was the Best Season in Buffalo Bulls History?

Despite having an undefeated record in the 1930-31 season, the most successful season in recent years was the 2018-19 season, when they were 16-2 in conference play. They were able to upset the Arizona Wildcats in the opening round before falling to the fifth-seeded Kentucky Wildcats.

Who Is the Winningest Coach in Buffalo Bulls History?

Nate Oats (2016-2019) was the winningest coach during his short tenure, with a record of 139-96. Arthur Powell and Reggie Witherspoon had more wins, but they also had a negative win-loss record.

Who Was the Greatest Player in the Buffalo Bulls History?

Sam Pellom played a few seasons in the NBA for the Atlanta Hawks (1979–82) & Milwaukee Bucks (1982–83). During his sophomore season in college, he led the nation with 16.2 rebounds per game.