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March Madness: Three reactions from Arizona’s shocking upset loss to Buffalo

By Tristan Freeman

BOISE, ID - MARCH 15: The Buffalo Bulls bench reacts in the second half against the Arizona Wildcats during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 15, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID - MARCH 15: The Buffalo Bulls bench reacts in the second half against the Arizona Wildcats during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 15, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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BOISE, ID – MARCH 15: CJ Massinburg
BOISE, ID – MARCH 15: CJ Massinburg /

Can Buffalo be the 2018 Cinderella?

Hindsight is always 20-20 when it comes to picking a double-digit seed from a mid-major conference to make a run in the NCAA Tornament. And let’s be honest, 90% of us didn’t pick Buffalo to do anything in this one, considering that both Arizona and Kentucky were in their path to the Sweet Sixteen.

But maybe we (I know I did) focused way too much on the blue bloods and not enough on this Bulls squad. All of their five non-conference losses came to teams that made this tournament and lost by a combined eight points in their three MAC games.

Buffalo has the recipe to win games in March, with not one, not two, not three, but four upperclassmen who average over 14.5 ppg. In the win over Arizona, the quartet combined for 80 of the team’s 89 points, while making 14 three-pointers. As a team, the Bulls are a top-10 offense. The defense is below-average due to their fast pace, but Arizona tried and failed to keep up with them.

It was thought at first that Buffalo got the worst draw possible, but now they have a serious chance at making some noise. Their next opponent Kentucky, barely survived against a Davidson team that is very similar to Buffalo. The Wildcats youth will also be at a disadvantage versus this veteran Bulls team. Another upset could very well happen.

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