Buffalo basketball is being overlooked by many as they look to pull a huge upset in their first tournament game on Thursday against the Arizona Wildcats.
TV Schedule: 9:40 p.m. ET, CBS
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As soon as the Arizona Wildcats are mentioned, many bracket fanatics immediately jump to what they see as a must-see second-round contest, assuming both Arizona and Kentucky will advance and meet in the second round. The matchup of Wildcats would be a sight to behold indeed. But what so many seem to be forgetting is that the stage is not yet set.
First, both Kentucky and Arizona are going to need to find a way past two difficult opponents. For Big Blue, it’s the Atlantic 10 tournament champion Davidson Wildcats. And for the Pac 12 champs, it’s the Buffalo Bulls out of the MAC.
The Bulls are a difficult opponent for Arizona for several reasons. Offensively, they’re a juggernaut that would give fits to even college basketball’s best. Leading scorer C.J. Massinburg and Jeremy Harris lead the Bulls on the perimeter, an explosive tandem of guards that are difficult to contain.
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Luckily for Arizona, they do have the tools defensively to slow the Bulls as much as possible. DeAndre Ayton and Allonzo Trier are not only strong on the offensive end, but are a difficult combination to deal with for opposing offenses looking to score.
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Buffalo will have trouble defending the interior and scoring in the paint due to the size of the Wildcats, making the play of Nick Perkins and Ikenna Smart significant. If these two are able to limit the advantage Arizona has in the middle, the Bulls will have their best chance to win.
What the game really may come down to, however, is ball security and play in transition. The Bulls excel when they are able to force turnovers and push the pace offensively. While Arizona has more of a methodical approach, they do have the ability to spark a run through an explosive transition attack.
The Bulls cannot afford to struggle in transition in this game. They must push the pace but protect the ball to maximize scoring potential. If they can prevent Arizona from going on long scoring runs and shoot at a high percentage, a well-coached Nate Oats’ team could force the superior Wildcats to an early tournament exit.
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Luckily for the Bulls, they have multiple scoring threats. While Arizona is large and physical, they aren’t as deep, allowing Buffalo to focus in on their top players. With the combination of a solid game plan, sound play, and a little bit of luck shooting the basketball, the Bulls will pull this 13 over 4 upset, possibly the biggest of Thursday’s action.
Prediction: Buffalo 83, Arizona 77