NCAA Basketball Power Rankings: Duke, Michigan vie for the top spot

RENO, NV - DECEMBER 15: Cody Martin #11 of the Nevada Wolf Pack and brother Caleb Martin #10 of the Nevada Wolf Pack talk to head coach Eric Musselman of the Nevada Wolf Pack during the game between the Nevada Wolf Pack and the South Dakota State Jackrabbits at Lawlor Events Center on December 15, 2018 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images) /

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SYRACUSE, NY – DECEMBER 18: Buffalo Bulls players celebrate. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

16. Buffalo Bulls

Record: 11-1 (0-0 MAC)

Last Week: No. 13

This past week was incredibly important for Buffalo’s at-large hopes. With two major conference opponents on the schedule, the Bulls absolutely needed to take at least one victory. They also did just that by taking down Syracuse (on the road) early in the week. And while they did lose the following game, nobody should be dropped too far for dropping a road game against a top-20 team in Marquette. This is especially true when the Bulls were only thwarted because MU’s Markus Howard completed his transition into a human flamethrower at halftime of the game (he dropped 40 points in the 2H alone).

Looking ahead, Buffalo should still be in contention for an at-large bid. The Bulls have shown that they are clearly a top-25 team and they should be able to destroy the MAC over the next few months. Buffalo should end this regular season will less than five total losses and, if they fail to win the MAC Tournament, they would be hard to leave out of the Big Dance should that occur.

This is a senior-laden team that absolutely nobody will want to see in March. Head coach Nate Oats has done a superb job putting this roster together and allowing everyone to grow in their time with the program. C.J. Massinburg is the clear star of the team but Buffalo’s depth is also an important part of their success.

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