Nothing like getting things going with a nice little test in Ann Arbor against the sixth-ranked team in the country.  It’s no secret the Buffalo Bulls had trouble scheduling games this season.  When you’re a mid-major program that presents issues and challenges that most mid-majors don’t, you’re going to find yourself searching for anyone who wants to let you make your name stronger at it’s expense.

Buffalo went into Ann Arbor for a showdown with No. 6 Michigan on Wednesday, and despite a sluggish and slow start that saw them trail by 21 in the first half, the Bulls had the Wolverines on the ropes, up just five points with no momentum, late in the second half.  The experience and size of Michigan was ultimately difference down the stretch as Hunter Dickinson help show why UM is legitimate National Title contender as they upended Buffalo 88-76.

Buffalo was ranked as the sixth best mid-major program by collegeinsider.com and return its own version of the “Big 3,” in seniors Jeenathan Williams, Ronaldo Sego, and Josh Mballa.  All turned in solid performances against Michigan, but none was better than Williams, who scored a career-high 32 and was clearly the second-best player on the floor behind Dickinson.

Williams was 14-22 from the floor and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds in 38 minutes.  He made two threes as well, but the Bulls were an underwhelming 5-28 (17.9%) from beyond the arc.  Most of the missed attempts were open.  If UB shot what they were capable of, I think they win in Ann Arbor and shock the college basketball landscape.  The difference in talent was minimal.  The difference in athleticism was nonexistent.  The difference was missed threes and Hunter Dickinson.

Segu scored 15 for Buffalo and Mballa scored 13 and added eight boards.  Michigan barely edged Buffalo on the glass (39-37).  Buffalo committed just nine turnovers and had 12 offensive rebounds to Michigan’s 11.

The Wolverines got off to a hot start, leading by as 21 in the first half.  The Bulls were able to get the deficit back down to 15 at halftime and got it back to single digits (55-47) less than four minutes into the half after a Segu jumper.  After UM got the lead back up to 13, Keishawn Brewton made his only three of the game to cut the deficit to five with 7:13 left.

UB showed why it is considered a top mid-major program and the clear favorite in the Mid-American Conference.  But with the defeat, and it coming against one of the top teams in the country, it’s very difficult to get a full perspective and gauge on just how good the Bulls are, and it actually can be quite easy to overrate them early.  Buffalo showed it has talent, but now as the schedule begins to present challenges that do not match-up to that of UM, we’ll be able to see just how good they are, relative to their expectations.

The expectations are not just those of winning a MAC Championship, but some believe they are good enough to win one, maybe two games in the NCAA Tournament.  But what the Bulls can’t do is underestimate their opponents the rest of the way, especially in MAC play.  Out-of-conference opponents will be gunning for UB, and each opponent in conference will give Buffalo its best shot each time.  Conference play is grueling in college basketball, and UB will most likely drop some games.  But that shouldn’t spark panic.  Consistency is what the Bulls are looking for.

Let’s check out the report from game one…

What I liked…

1. Jeenathan Williams lived up to the hype in game one. Williams is the highest ranked recruit to ever play at UB, but for the first couple years, was known primarily as an outstanding athlete and average player.  Now, he has worked tirelessly at his craft and if reeling the rewards.  He has transformed into a complete player with tools to score the basketball inside and out and guard just about every position.  The MAC Player of the Year award is his to lose.
2. The Bulls were great on the offensive glass especially in the second half.  They had 12 offensive rebounds and many kept possessions alive in the second half to keep the pressure on UM.
3. Mballa will dominate in the MAC.  His size, length, scoring ability and defensive prowess is something that isn’t found much at this level. He will be a double-double machine.  He plays within himself and has tremendous patience and court awareness.
4. Adjustments were made in the second half by head coach Jim Whitesell and his staff.  It came down to missed open shots.  The Bulls had chances to win.  The Bulls defended better in the second half and took better shots on the other end which limited UM’s fastbreak opportunities and resulted in them giving up just 37 points in the second half.

What I didn’t like…

1. UB may have a rotation problem.  College coaches usually need until conference time to figure out their rotation, so this is most definitely not something to be concerned with, but the Bulls will have a lot of players vying for limited minutes.  Williams, Segu, and Mballa will all be 30-plus minute guys, with newcomer Maceo Jack – despite a sub-par debut – grabbing some more minutes on the wing.  The Bulls will have less than 100 minutes left available for about 10 more guys who think they’ll deserve them.  There are only so many minutes in a game and only so many players that can see the floor.
2. Front court depth is non-existent.  Outside of Mballa, the Bulls do not have a solid number two option.  Senior Brock Bertram is a guy who can steal some minutes and take some fouls.  David Skogman can step outside and make shots, but won’t give UB much in the paint. Tra’Von Fagan has yet to really find his groove in two-plus years at UB.  And LaQuill Hardnett is hurt.  A small, but athletic lineup may be the way to go for UB this year, which will still give them advantages over most teams.

UP NEXT: The Bulls will play at North Texas on Monday at 8 pm EST.  No game line is available yet but ESPN’s Matchup Predictor favors North Texas, giving them a 59.9 percent chance to come out on top.  The Mean Green won the Conference USA Tournament a season ago and upset fourth-seeded Purdue 78-69 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to Villanova in the round of32.