UB seniors leave their mark on program

TULSA — It was a loss that marked the end of a historic season. But for the five seniors on the UB men’s basketball team, it’s only the beginning of something that will last far longer — their legacy.

Their exceptional careers came to a close here Sunday night with a 78-58 loss to No. 3 Texas Tech in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. A win would have sent UB to the West Regional in Anaheim and the program’s first-ever Sweet 16 appearance.

Still, this was the second year in a row UB advanced to the Round of 32. The sixth-seeded Bulls finished the season 32-4, the best record in program history and, up until Houston topped Ohio State in a second-round game Sunday night, the highest win total in the nation this year.

Buffalo basketball has reached the big time, and it’s because of a supremely talented senior class — Dontay Caruthers, Jeremy Harris, CJ Massinburg, Montell McRae and Nick Perkins — that has left a mark on the program unlike any other graduating group in UB’s history.

“These guys had an unbelievable career,” Bulls head coach Nate Oats said after Sunday’s defeat. “For them to be beat, it’s going to have to be by somebody really tough and Texas Tech is really tough. Got to give them a ton of credit.”

Credit also goes to the most successful group of seniors to play at UB, Oats added. “I told our guys in the locker room, don’t let one loss take away what you’ve done this year: put Buffalo basketball on the map. Ranked in the top 25 all year. Great team, even better people. I have the highest character group of kids I ever worked with.”

Massinburg hopes that’s what people remember about this group.

“We did it the right way. We didn’t take any shortcuts. We put in the work and we treated people right,” said Massinburg, who set UB’s single-season scoring record this year and ranks second all time for the Bulls. “Even with all the successes, we’re not a bunch of arrogant guys thinking that we’re better than anyone. We just pride ourselves on doing the right thing.”

Sitting in the locker room after Sunday’s loss, Perkins, who led all scorers with 17 points, reflected on his four years at UB. “I had a good career here at Buffalo. The city has done a lot for me and I’m forever thankful and grateful for it,” he said. “To have the college career I had — three NCAA Tournament appearances, three MAC titles — that’s crazy. I really can’t ask for a better career.”

Perkins and his fellow seniors brought a level of excitement to Alumni Arena that hadn’t existed previously. In the process, they introduced the nation to the hard-working, blue collar brand of basketball that Buffalo plays — and people fell in love with it. The Bulls were a favorite to make a deep run through the tournament this season, unlike last year when they were merely a cute Cinderella team that upset Arizona in the first round.

There’s no more sneaking up on teams when you’re one of the top programs in the country.

On Saturday, UBNow asked assistant coach Bryan Hodgson to put into perspective just how much the core group of seniors has meant to UB basketball. “You can replace bodies. We can’t replace those kids,” he said. “When those guys leave here, this is going to be their program. People are going to be talking about those guys for as long as this university is playing basketball. They mean the world to us as coaches.”

Bulls nation clearly felt the same. As Sunday’s game — and the season — came to an end, Bulls fans from around the country began posting their thanks and appreciation on social media.

Massinburg has felt that love throughout his four-year career. “Buffalo has gotten so behind us. We go out into the community and people recognize us. Even when we go get our hair cut, the barbers are clapping for us. If we have a game that day, they’re like ‘Go out there and get ‘em.’ Putting Buffalo on the map, it took a community to do that, and people know about us everywhere now.”

Harris, who had nine points against Texas Tech, said it’s “been a blessing” to play with such a talented group of seniors.

“We created a vibe in Buffalo. Buffalo is the real deal.”