Wikipedia

2023–24 Buffalo Bulls men's basketball team

The 2023–24 Buffalo Bulls men's basketball team represented the University at Buffalo in the 2023–24 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Bulls, led by first-year head coach George Halcovage III, played their home games at Alumni Arena in Amherst, New York as members of the Mid-American Conference.[1][2] They finished the season 4–27, 2–16 in MAC play, to finish in last place.[3] They failed to qualify for the MAC tournament.

2023–24 Buffalo Bulls men's basketball
ConferenceMid-American Conference
Record4–27 (2–16 MAC)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
  • Hamlet Tibbs (1st season)
  • Jake Presutti (1st season)
  • Calvin Cage (1st season)
Home arenaAlumni Arena
Seasons
← 2022–23
2024–25 →
2023–24 Mid-American Conference men's basketball standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
Toledo 14 – 4   .778 20 – 12   .625
Akron † 13 – 5   .722 24 – 11   .686
Ohio 13 – 5   .722 20 – 13   .606
Central Michigan 12 – 6   .667 18 – 14   .563
Bowling Green 10 – 8   .556 20 – 14   .588
Western Michigan 9 – 9   .500 12 – 20   .375
Miami (OH) 9 – 9   .500 15 – 17   .469
Kent State 8 – 10   .444 17 – 17   .500
Ball State 7 – 11   .389 15 – 16   .484
Eastern Michigan 6 – 12   .333 13 – 18   .419
Northern Illinois 5 – 13   .278 11 – 20   .355
Buffalo 2 – 16   .111 4 – 27   .129
† 2024 MAC tournament winner

Previous season

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Main article: 2022–23 Buffalo Bulls men's basketball team

The Bulls finished the season 15–17, 9–9 in MAC play, to finish in a tie for sixth place.[4] As the No. 6 seed in the MAC tournament they lost to Akron in the quarterfinals.[5] On March 11, 2023, the school fired head coach Jim Whitesell.[6] On March 30, the school named longtime Villanova assistant coach George Halcovage the team's new head coach.[7]

Offseason

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Departures

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Departures
Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Reason
LaQuill Hardnett 1 F 6'8" 205 Senior Philadelphia, PA Transferred to Arkansas State
Kidtrell Blocker 2 G 6'5" 164 Sophomore Rochester, NY Transferred to IUPUI
Curtis Jones 3 G 6'5" 180 Sophomore Minneapolis, MN Transferred to Iowa State
Armoni Foster 4 G 6'4" 180 Graduate student Meadville, PA Exhausted eligibility
Devin Ceaser 10 G 6'1" 172 Freshman Waldorf, MD Transferred to Old Dominion
Kuluel Mading 11 F 6'9" 208 Sophomore High Point, NC Transferred to Norfolk State
Yadiz Powell 13 G 6'4" 195 Junior Philadelphia, PA Transferred to UTEP
Isaac Jack 31 C 6'1" 251 Freshman Port Alberni, BC Transferred to Dayton
Jaden Slaughter 33 G 6'5" 202 Freshman Buffalo, NY Transferred to Coahoma CC

[8][9][10]

Incoming transfers

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Incoming transfers
Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Reason
James Graham 12 G/F 6'7" 208 Junior Milwaukee, WI Transferred from Missouri State

[8][10]

Recruiting class

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US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Ryan Sabol
G 		Washington, D.C. Gonzaga College High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: NR
Anquan Boldin Jr.
G 		Delray Beach, FL IMG Academy 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 194 lb (88 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: NR
Shawn Fulcher
G 		Brooklyn, NY Ellsworth CC 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: NR
Bryson Wilson
F 		Washington, D.C. St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 78
Lloyd McVeigh
F 		Cabarita Beach, Australia 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) N/A  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: NR
Diovion Famakinde
G 		Woodstock, CT Hargrave Military Academy 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 224 lb (102 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN grade: 77
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2023 Team Ranking". Rivals.com.

Roster

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2023–24 Buffalo Bulls men's basketball team
Players Coaches
Pos. # Name Height Weight Year Previous school Hometown
G 0 Kanye Jones 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 190 lb (86 kg) So Boston College Orlando, FL
F 1 Sy Chatman 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 227 lb (103 kg) Illinois State Minneapolis, MN
G 2 Ryan Sabol 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Fr Gonzaga College High School Washington, D.C.
F 3 Isaiah Adams 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Sr UCF Jacksonville, FL
G 4 Anquan Boldin Jr. 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 194 lb (88 kg) Fr IMG Academy Delray Beach, FL
F 5 Zaakir Williamson 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 230 lb (104 kg) RS So Neumann Goretti HS Philadelphia, PA
G 10 Shawn Fulcher 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Fr Ellsworth CC Brooklyn, NY
F 11 Bryson Wilson 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Fr St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School Washington, D.C.
G/F 12 James Graham 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 208 lb (94 kg) Jr Missouri State Milwaukee, WI
G 14 Lloyd McVeigh 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Fr The Southport School Cabarita Beach, Australia
F 15 Jonnivius Smith 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Sr Seton Hall Selma, AL
G 24 Diovion Famakinde 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 224 lb (102 kg) Fr Hargrave Military Academy Woodstock, CT
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Roster
Last update: December 8, 2023

Schedule and results

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Date
time, TV 		Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
city, state
Exhibition
October 23, 2023*
7:00 p.m. 		Daemen W 71–67  –
  15 – tied   7 – tied   7 – Adams  Alumni Arena (1,751)
Amherst, NY
Non-conference regular season
November 6, 2023*
7:30 p.m., ESPN+ 		Fairleigh Dickinson L 86–92  0–1
  28 – Adams   19 – Smith   5 – Adams  Alumni Arena (2,500)
Amherst, NY
November 11, 2023*
2:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		South Alabama
MAC-SBC Challenge 		L 56–70  0–2
  16 – Chatman   8 – Chatman   5 – Jones  Alumni Arena (2,080)
Amherst, NY
November 15, 2023*
7:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		Roberts Wesleyan W 89–83  1–2
  19 – Chatman   16 – Smith   5 – Fulcher  Alumni Arena (2,169)
Amherst, NY
November 20, 2023*
7:30 p.m., FloSports 		vs. Hofstra
Gulf Coast Showcase quarterfinals 		L 68–102  1–3
  15 – Chatman   8 – Smith   5 – Adams  Hertz Arena (314)
Estero, FL
November 21, 2023*
1:30 p.m., FloSports 		vs. Louisiana
Gulf Coast Showcase consolation 2nd round 		L 60–68  1–4
  13 – tied   8 – Smith   3 – tied  Hertz Arena (231)
Estero, FL
November 22, 2023*
11:00 a.m., FloSports 		vs. Iona
Gulf Coast Showcase 7th-place game 		L 64–89  1–5
  14 – Chatman   10 – Smith   3 – Saboi  Hertz Arena (213)
Estero, FL
November 29, 2023*
7:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		at No. 22 James Madison L 66–81  1–6
  19 – Chatman   5 – tied   3 – tied  Atlantic Union Bank Center (5,106)
Harrisonburg, VA
December 2, 2023*
2:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		St. Bonaventure L 65–80  1–7
  20 – Chatman   11 – Chatman   5 – Fulcher  Alumni Arena (3,324)
Amherst, NY
December 5, 2023*
8:30 p.m., FS1 		at Butler L 59–72  1–8
  16 – Chatman   8 – Chatman   3 – Boldin Jr.  Hinkle Fieldhouse (6,262)
Indianapolis, IN
December 9, 2023*
2:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		Western Kentucky L 65–82  1–9
  21 – Chatman   11 – Chatman   7 – Sabol  Alumni Arena (2,186)
Amherst, NY
December 21, 2023*
7:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		at Richmond L 66–72  1–10
  21 – Chatman   8 – Smith   3 – Fulcher  Robins Center (4,897)
Richmond, VA
December 29, 2023*
7:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		Niagara L 63–69  1–11
  29 – Chatman   13 – Chatman   6 – Sabol  Alumni Arena (4,663)
Amherst, NY
MAC regular season
January 2, 2024
7:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		at Central Michigan W 76–64  2–11
(1–0) 		 26 – Chatman   15 – Smith   3 – tied  McGuirk Arena (1,088)
Mount Pleasant, MI
January 6, 2024
2:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		Western Michigan L 77–82  2–12
(1–1) 		 24 – Chatman   13 – Smith   4 – Adams  Alumni Arena (2,260)
Amherst, NY
January 9, 2024
7:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		Miami (OH) L 65–86  2–13
(1–2) 		 20 – Fulcher   5 – tied   5 – Adams  Alumni Arena (1,361)
Amherst, NY
January 12, 2024
7:00 p.m., CBSSN 		at Akron L 59–76  2–14
(1–3) 		 23 – Chatman   7 – tied   8 – Adams  James A. Rhodes Arena (2,535)
Akron, OH
January 16, 2024
7:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		at Toledo L 66–77  2–15
(1–4) 		 24 – Adams   10 – Smith   4 – Chatman  Savage Arena (3,689)
Toledo, OH
January 23, 2024
7:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		Ball State L 59–87  2–16
(1–5) 		 27 – Chatman   7 – tied   5 – Sabol  Alumni Arena (2,007)
Amherst, NY
January 27, 2024
3:30 p.m., ESPN+ 		at Eastern Michigan L 65–75  2–17
(1–6) 		 13 – Adams   11 – Smith   4 – Adams  George Gervin GameAbove Center (2,095)
Ypsilanti, MI
January 30, 2024
7:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		at Ohio L 70–91  2–18
(1–7) 		 22 – Chatman   13 – Smith   4 – Chatman  Convocation Center (3,652)
Athens, OH
February 3, 2024
8:30 p.m., ESPN+ 		Kent State L 52–83  2–19
(1–8) 		 12 – tied   5 – Boldin Jr.   3 – tied  Alumni Arena (2,042)
Amherst, NY
February 6, 2024
7:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		at Bowling Green L 73–87  2–20
(1–9) 		 21 – Sabol   9 – Smith   6 – tied  Stroh Center (1,704)
Bowling Green, OH
February 10, 2024*
3:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		at Georgia Southern
MAC-SBC Challenge 		W 82–81 OT 3–20
  24 – Adams   12 – Chatman   6 – Adams  Hanner Fieldhouse (1,524)
Statesboro, GA
February 13, 2024
8:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		at Northern Illinois L 68–72  3–21
(1–10) 		 18 – Chatman   12 – Smith   5 – tied  Convocation Center (1,425)
DeKalb, IL
February 17, 2024
2:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		Akron L 62–73  3–22
(1–11) 		 24 – Chatman   8 – Chatman   4 – tied  Alumni Arena (2,721)
Amherst, NY
February 20, 2024
7:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		Eastern Michigan W 78–69  4–22
(2–11) 		 23 – Chatman   13 – Chatman   8 – Fulcher  Alumni Arena (2,946)
Amherst, NY
February 24, 2024
2:30 p.m., ESPN+ 		at Western Michigan L 72–91  4–23
(2–12) 		 23 – Chatman   11 – Smith   4 – Adams  University Arena (1,928)
Kalamazoo, MI
February 27, 2024
7:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		at Kent State L 64–76  4–24
(2–13) 		 19 – Adams   10 – Smith   5 – Fulcher  MAC Center (2,928)
Kent, OH
March 2, 2024
2:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		Toledo L 79–85  4–25
(2–14) 		 25 – Chatman   10 – Chatman   5 – Adams  Alumni Arena (2,476)
Amherst, NY
March 5, 2024
7:00 p.m., CBSSN 		Ohio L 66–78  4–26
(2–15) 		 25 – Chatman   8 – tied   7 – Adams  Alumni Arena (2,140)
Amherst, NY
March 8, 2024
7:00 p.m., ESPN+ 		Northern Illinois L 68–78  4–27
(2–16) 		 22 – Sabol   7 – Smith   5 – Fulcher  Alumni Arena (2,416)
Amherst, NY
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Eastern Time.

Source[11][12]

References

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  1. ^ "GEORGE HALCOVAGE III". University of Buffalo Athletics. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
  2. ^ "MAC Men's College Basketball Standings - 2023-24". ESPN. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
  3. ^ "MAC Basketball Standings - 2023-24". ESPN. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  4. ^ "MAC Basketball Standings - 2022-23". ESPN. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  5. ^ "Buffalo 77, Akron 101". ESPN. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  6. ^ "Buffalo fires men's basketball coach Jim Whitesell after 4 seasons". ESPN. 2023-03-11. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  7. ^ "Buffalo hires Nova assistant Halcovage as coach". ESPN.com. 2023-03-30. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
  8. ^ a b "2023-24 Men's Basketball Roster". Buffalo Athletics. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  9. ^ "2022-23 Men's Basketball Roster". Buffalo Athletics. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  10. ^ a b "2023 D1 Basketball Transfers". Verbal Commits. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  11. ^ "2023-24 Men's Basketball Schedule". University of Buffalo Athletics.
  12. ^ "Buffalo Bulls Schedule 2023-24". ESPN.
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