Notes and quotes about MAC programs . . .
BUFFALO BASKETBALL
➤➤ Basketball is about to kick things into another gear as schools embark on their Mid-American Conference schedules in another week. Buffalo, of course, is the overwhelming favorite.
The defending MAC tournament champions, who upset Arizona in first round NCAA action last March, returned much of the same cast -- again under head coach Nate Oats.
They backed up the preseason hype by rolling off 11 straight wins before finally losing at Marquette last Friday. Currently ranked No. 21 in the AP poll, the Bulls have one more tune-up -- Saturday at Canisius -- before opening MAC play Friday, Jan. 4 at Eastern Michigan.
➤➤ Basketball is about to kick things into another gear as schools embark on their Mid-American Conference schedules in another week. Buffalo, of course, is the overwhelming favorite.
The defending MAC tournament champions, who upset Arizona in first round NCAA action last March, returned much of the same cast -- again under head coach Nate Oats.
They backed up the preseason hype by rolling off 11 straight wins before finally losing at Marquette last Friday. Currently ranked No. 21 in the AP poll, the Bulls have one more tune-up -- Saturday at Canisius -- before opening MAC play Friday, Jan. 4 at Eastern Michigan.
Tyree Jackson BUFFALO FOOTBALL
➤➤ Buffalo also put together a fine football season this fall, winning eight of nine games at one point. After winning the MAC East,
however, Buffalo faded in the second half of the championship game, allowing Northern Illinois to pull out a 20-29 victory.
A Dollar General Bowl game loss last Saturday followed, and now the Bulls are facing the possibility of another big loss.
Buffalo has acknowledged that quarterback Tyree Jackson -- a key cog in the Bulls offense -- is considering a transfer. As a grad transfer, he would be eligible to play right away for another program.
Head coach Lance Leipold released the following statement:
“Tyree Jackson informed me today that he entered his name into the NCAA Transfer Portal. As a recent graduate, he is exploring his options. Tyree and I have had good open talks about his future and he is considering all of his options, including returning to Buffalo for his final season.”
Suffice it to say, it will be extremely interesting to see how that situation plays out.
WESTERN MICHIGAN FOOTBALL
➤➤ Another MAC football team that shined very brightly at times in 2018 was Western Michigan. The Broncos recently announced head coach Tim Lester has been awarded a two year extension. That would carry him through the 2023 season.
BALL STATE BASKETBALL
➤➤ As winter sinks into the midwest, the Ball State Cardinals basketball team will be conjure up some warm imagery for their future. The Cardinals have been selected to play in the 2019 Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic.
Specific dates have not been announced, but the annual tournament, organized by ESPN, has traditionally been played during the Christmas week. The eight-team field also includes Boise State, Georgia Tech, Hawaii, Houston, Portland, UTEP and Washington. Each team will play three games, just like at ESPN’s Charleston Classic, where the Cardinals played earlier this season.
➤➤ Buffalo also put together a fine football season this fall, winning eight of nine games at one point. After winning the MAC East,
however, Buffalo faded in the second half of the championship game, allowing Northern Illinois to pull out a 20-29 victory.
A Dollar General Bowl game loss last Saturday followed, and now the Bulls are facing the possibility of another big loss.
Buffalo has acknowledged that quarterback Tyree Jackson -- a key cog in the Bulls offense -- is considering a transfer. As a grad transfer, he would be eligible to play right away for another program.
Head coach Lance Leipold released the following statement:
“Tyree Jackson informed me today that he entered his name into the NCAA Transfer Portal. As a recent graduate, he is exploring his options. Tyree and I have had good open talks about his future and he is considering all of his options, including returning to Buffalo for his final season.”
Suffice it to say, it will be extremely interesting to see how that situation plays out.
WESTERN MICHIGAN FOOTBALL
➤➤ Another MAC football team that shined very brightly at times in 2018 was Western Michigan. The Broncos recently announced head coach Tim Lester has been awarded a two year extension. That would carry him through the 2023 season.
BALL STATE BASKETBALL
➤➤ As winter sinks into the midwest, the Ball State Cardinals basketball team will be conjure up some warm imagery for their future. The Cardinals have been selected to play in the 2019 Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic.
Specific dates have not been announced, but the annual tournament, organized by ESPN, has traditionally been played during the Christmas week. The eight-team field also includes Boise State, Georgia Tech, Hawaii, Houston, Portland, UTEP and Washington. Each team will play three games, just like at ESPN’s Charleston Classic, where the Cardinals played earlier this season.
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