CBB: The Bulls Are Building A Dynasty
No. 1 Buffalo vs. No. 8 Central Michigan (Quarterfinal 1): The Bulls have been the best team in the Mid-American Conference all year long, and it reigned true on Thursday afternoon. In the opening game at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, it was all about Jeremy Harris and the top seed. Buffalo jumped out to a quick start and led by nine at halftime. After Central Michigan cut into the lead, the Bulls turned it back on and pulled away to win 89-74. Buffalo is looking for their third MAC title in the last five years and are one step closer to the NCAA Tournament, behind Harris' career-high 27 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists. Buffalo is set to play in the first of two semifinal matchups played on Friday night at the Q.
No. 4 Ball State vs. No. 5 Kent State (Quarterfinal 2): The Cardinals had their best season in some time, winning 19 games and going 10-8 in conference play. They were hoping that it would translate to success in the tournament, but that didn't come to fruition. It was a shame that their best player, Trey Moses, couldn't find a groove and only managed 10 points on 40 percent shooting. At the other end of the floor, Jaylin Walker, the 2017 MAC Tournament MVP, played his game. He pushes the ball, isolates himself on the wings, and shoots well from beyond the arc. In part because of his 19 points, Kent State is advancing to the semis where they will meet Buffalo. Those two programs account for the last three MAC Tournament titles.
No. 2 Toledo vs. No. 7 Miami (OH) (Quarterfinal 3): The Rockets are projected to meet the Bulls in the title game, but they were nearly upset by the Redhawks in their opening match. Toledo led by just one point at halftime, 30-29, and struggled to create separation between them and Miami for the length of the game. That is until the Rockets led by 69-63 with just 26 seconds remaining. But then Nike Sibande happened. He hit two threes in a row to cut the lead to one. Jaelan Sanford knocked down a free-throw to extend the lead to 71-69 in the final seconds. Sibande came around the wing, received a hand off and a screen, and then pulled up from the top of the key, going for the win. His shot was just short, though, and his 20 points wasn't enough.
No. 3 Eastern Michigan vs. No. 11 Akron (Quarterfinal 1): The Eagles were favored coming into this game, but it didn't look like it for the first 30 minutes of the game. Akron was dominating in every facet. They were getting good shots over EMU's 2-3 zone and were forcing the Eagles' big men to get in foul trouble, which was frustrating them. Tim Bond and James Thompson IV received technical fouls. With just under six minutes to go, Akron led 54-39 after holding a 19-point advantage. As a last ditch effort, Rob Murphy put his team into a full court press and it worked to perfection. The Eagles stormed back and threes by Elijah Minnie and Jordan Nobles tied it at 57. Minnie led the team with 21 points to a seventh straight victory.
No. 1 Buffalo vs. No. 5 Kent State (Semifinal 1): The Bulls looked the part of the top seeded team for the second game in a row. There have only been two games won by double digits in the six played so far in Cleveland this year, and Buffalo was on the winning side of each of them. And once again, they were led by their superstar wing, Jeremy Harris. He had 11 points in the first 10 minutes of the game and paced himself for the rest of the match, finishing with 22 points, seven rebounds, and two assists. He has been the best player on any team in the MAC Tournament so far. After leading by 10 at the break, the Bulls coasted to a 78-61 win to advance to the title game. C.J. Massinburg had 14 points on 50 percent shooting for Buffalo.
No. 2 Toledo vs. No. 3 Eastern Michigan (Semifinal 2): The Rockets jumped out to an early 10-4 lead, despite having Tre'Shaun Fletcher go down with a non-contact knee injury in the opening minute of the game. He also hurt his knee against Miami (OH) in the quarterfinals and is questionable going forward. Toledo trailed by five late in the game, but relied heavily on Marrion Jackson who was on a mission to push his team on to the next round. After the game was tied at 61 apiece, Eastern's Paul Jackson drove the lane and scored, giving the Eagles a two point lead with just over 20 seconds remaining. On the other end, Sanford hit Marreon Jackson for a deep three from the right wing and it dropped, giving Toledo a thrilling 64-63 victory.
No. 1 Buffalo vs. No. 2 Toledo (Championship): The Bulls were the best team in the conference all year long, and have been for much of the last five seasons. With a 76-66 triumph over the Rockets on Saturday night, the Bulls clinched their third MAC title and will be looking for their first ever NCAA Tournament win. They were led by Wes Clark, the Tournament MVP, who dropped 26 points on 66.7 percent shooting. Harris had 10 points, as he reached double-digits in all three tournament games, also joined Clark on the All-Tournament Team. The others selected were Marreon Jackson (Toledo), Paul Jackson (Eastern Michigan), and Jaelan Sanford (Toledo). Buffalo will get Arizona in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. The Bulls never reached the Big Dance prior to 2015 and now they are headed for their third trip, and within the MAC, Buffalo has become a dynasty that is rarely talked about on the national level, but is impressive nonetheless.
Photo Credit: Washington Times.
