Buffalo Bulls
Record: 23-9, 12-6 MAC
Head coach: Bobby Hurley (2nd season)
Season summary: Riding an eight-game win streak, Buffalo is primed to begin its first NCAA tournament in school history. The tournament appearance is the first for head coach Bobby Hurley since winning the national title with Duke during the 1991-92 season. The Bulls traveled to both top-ranked Kentucky and then-No. 6 Wisconsin as part of their non-conference slate, holding slim halftime leads in both contests before ultimately losing by double-digits both times. Big man Justin Moss and teammate Shannon Evans combine for an average of 33.1 points per game, powering Buffalo’s offense. The Bulls boast the 28th-best scoring offense in the nation at 75.0 points per game and crash the boards for an average of 38.4 rebounds per game—a mark good for 16th in the country.
How they make a run: If Buffalo can find a way to close out big games, its high-octane offense will take it far in the tournament.
How they falter: Opponents crowd the paint and take away the Bulls’ advantage inside and on the boards.
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