Ayrton Oneill
The Buffalo Bulls men's basketball team, representing the University at Buffalo, currently competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I as part of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) East Division. The team has experienced several successes, including winning the MAC East Division title in 2009 and 2015 and claiming their first MAC Tournament title in 2015, which earned them a bid to the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. Additionally, two former players, Sam Pellom and Jeenathan Williams, have gone on to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). With a history dating back to 1915, the Buffalo Bulls have established themselves as a competitive force in collegiate basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Buffalo Bulls |
| University | University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, US |
| Competition | National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I |
| Conference | Mid-American Conference (MAC) East Division |
| Year Joined MAC | 1998 |
| Number of MAC East Division Titles | 3 (2009, 2015, and another unknown year) |
| Number of MAC Regular-Season Championships | 1 (2015) |
| Number of MAC Tournament Titles | 1 (2015) |
| Number of NCAA College Division Basketball Championship Appearances | 6 (between 1957 and 1965) |
| Number of National Invitation Tournament Appearances | 2 |
| Home Arena | Alumni Arena, Amherst, New York |
| Arena Capacity | 6,100 spectators |
| Arena Features | State-of-the-art video-board, sound, and lighting systems |
| Former Players in the NBA | Sam Pellom, Jeenathan Williams |
| Notable Alumni | Turner Battle (MAC Player of the Year 2005), C.J. Massinburg (TBT Champion & MVP 2022), Javon McCrea (MAC Player of the Year 2014) |
| Head Coach (as of March 30, 2023) | George Halcovage |
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What You'll Learn
- The Buffalo Bulls men's basketball team history
- The team's ranking in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
- The team's performance in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT)
- The team's home games and where they are played
- Former players who have played in the National Basketball Association (NBA)
The Buffalo Bulls men's basketball team history
The Buffalo Bulls men's basketball team has represented the University at Buffalo, in Buffalo, New York, since 1915. The team currently competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I as part of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) East Division.
The team's early history was marked by a period of inactivity due to a lack of funding, but they returned to the court in 1915, originally known as the "Buffalo Bison." The name was changed to the "Bulls" in the 1930s to avoid confusion with other professional sports teams with similar names. The Buffalo Bills, for example, began playing in the American Football League in 1960, leading to decades of brand confusion.
The Buffalo Bulls have a rich history in men's basketball, with six appearances in the NCAA College Division Basketball Championship between 1957 and 1965, and two appearances in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). In 1998, they joined the MAC and won their first MAC East Division title in 2009. In the 2014-15 season, the team made history by winning its first MAC Regular-Season Championship and MAC Tournament title, earning their first bid to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. During that season, the Bulls were led by second-year coach Bobby Hurley.
The Buffalo Bulls play their home games at the Alumni Arena in Amherst, New York, which can seat 6,100 spectators and boasts state-of-the-art video, sound, and lighting systems. Notable alumni of the team include Sam Pellom, who played for the Atlanta Hawks and the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA, and Jeenathan Williams, who debuted for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2023. The team has also produced several Academic All-Americans, including C.J. Massinburg, who was named tournament MVP when Blue Collar U, a team consisting mostly of UB alumni, won The Basketball Tournament in 2022.
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The team's ranking in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
The Buffalo Bulls men's basketball team represents the University at Buffalo, New York, and competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I as part of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) East Division. The team has a rich history, with their first season taking place in 1915, and they joined the MAC in 1998.
The Buffalo Bulls have experienced success in recent years, winning their first MAC East Division title in 2009 and adding two more MAC East Division titles in 2015, along with their inaugural MAC Regular-Season championship and MAC Tournament title. These achievements earned the team its first invitation to the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.
In addition to their recent triumphs, the Buffalo Bulls have a long history of participation in the NCAA College Division Basketball Championship, with six appearances recorded between 1957 and 1965. They have also competed in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) on two occasions.
The team's home games are played at the Alumni Arena in Amherst, New York, which can accommodate 6,100 spectators. The arena boasts modern amenities, including a state-of-the-art video board and advanced sound and lighting systems.
The Buffalo Bulls men's basketball team has produced notable alumni, including Sam Pellom, who played for the Atlanta Hawks and the Milwaukee Bucks in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and Jeenathan Williams, who debuted for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2023.
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The team's performance in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT)
The Buffalo Bulls men's basketball team, representing the University at Buffalo, has appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) twice. Their record in these appearances is 1-2. The NIT is a single-elimination tournament featuring NCAA Division I men's college basketball teams that are not selected to participate in the NCAA tournament.
In 2025, the NIT began on March 18 and concluded on April 3. Six programs made their debut in the tournament that year, including Cal State Northridge, Jacksonville State, and North Alabama. The University of Tennessee–Chattanooga Mocs defeated the University of California–Irvine Anteaters 85–84 in overtime to win the championship. The All-Tournament Team included Trey Bonham and Honor Huff from the winning team, as well as Justin Hohn, Devin Tillis, and Atin Wright from the University of California–Irvine. Trey Bonham was also named the Most Outstanding Player.
The NIT caused some confusion in 2025 due to the NCAA's failure to communicate with invited teams before the initial release of the bracket. This resulted in a brief overlap between the NIT and CBI brackets, with UC Riverside appearing in both tournaments. However, UC Riverside ultimately chose to participate in the NIT, while the NCAA revoked the invitation to South Alabama, who had been offered a place in the NIT after UC Riverside initially committed to the CBI.
The Buffalo Bulls play their home games at the Alumni Arena in Amherst, New York, which can accommodate 6,100 spectators. The team began playing in 1915 and joined the Mid-American Conference (MAC) East Division in 1998. They have achieved success within their division, winning their first MAC East Division title in 2009 and their third in 2015, along with other notable accolades.
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The team's home games and where they are played
The Buffalo Bulls men's basketball team represents the University at Buffalo, based in Buffalo, New York. The team competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I as part of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) East Division.
The Buffalo Bulls play their home games at the Alumni Arena in Amherst, New York. The arena has a capacity of 6,100 spectators and boasts modern amenities, including a state-of-the-art video board and advanced sound and lighting systems. The arena provides a great game-day experience for fans, with some attendees praising the food and beverage options, while also noting the friendly staff and excellent seating options. The team's mascot, along with the cheer squad and the band, adds to the lively atmosphere.
The Buffalo Bulls have a dedicated fan base, and their home games are well-attended. The team's performance has been impressive, with some fans expressing their excitement and enjoyment of the games. The Bulls have had notable success in recent years, winning the MAC East Division title in 2009 and 2015. They also claimed their first MAC Regular-Season championship and MAC Tournament title in 2015, which secured their first entry into the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.
The team's schedule includes a variety of opponents, with home games being a highlight for the fans. The Alumni Arena serves as the central hub for the Buffalo Bulls' home games, providing a competitive advantage and a sense of community for the team and its supporters. The arena is easily accessible, with convenient parking options, and offers a family-friendly environment, making it a popular choice for basketball enthusiasts in the region.
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Former players who have played in the National Basketball Association (NBA)
The Buffalo Bulls men's basketball team has had a long history of competition, beginning play in 1915 and joining the MAC in 1998. The team has had some success, winning the MAC East Division title in 2009 and 2015, as well as the MAC Regular-Season championship and MAC Tournament title in 2015, which earned them their first bid to the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.
While the team has had some notable achievements, only two former Buffalo Bulls players are known to have made it to the National Basketball Association (NBA). This is a list of the two players who have made it to the NBA:
Sam Pellom
Pellom played for the Buffalo Bulls from 1974 to 1978 and then went on to play for the Atlanta Hawks from 1979 to 1982 and the Milwaukee Bucks from 1982 to 1983. He is a UB Athletics Hall of Famer.
Jeenathan Williams
Williams debuted for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2023.
In addition to these two players who made it to the NBA, several other former Buffalo Bulls players have gone on to have successful professional careers playing overseas. Over a dozen former players are currently competing in Europe, showcasing their talent and continuing their basketball journeys outside of the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
The Buffalo Bulls, the University at Buffalo's men's basketball team, began play in 1915.
The Buffalo Bulls compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I as part of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) East Division.
The Buffalo Bulls joined the MAC in 1998.
The Buffalo Bulls have won three MAC East Division titles, in 2009, 2015, and another unknown year.
