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NCAA Basketball: Buy or sell top mid-majors Gonzaga, Nevada and Buffalo

By Eddie Herz

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 09: Zach Norvell Jr. #23 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts with teammates Josh Perkins #13 and Corey Kispert #24 during the second half of the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 9, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Volunteers defeated the Bulldogs 76-73. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 09: Zach Norvell Jr. #23 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts with teammates Josh Perkins #13 and Corey Kispert #24 during the second half of the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 9, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Volunteers defeated the Bulldogs 76-73. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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BOISE, ID – MARCH 17: Montell McRae #1 of the Buffalo Bulls reacts during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID – MARCH 17: Montell McRae #1 of the Buffalo Bulls reacts during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Buffalo Bulls – Sell

I was a major Buffalo supporter until about one or two weeks ago. The Bulls were a popular 12-5 upset pick in the tournament last year, and they came through with a 21-point victory over Arizona.

Buffalo nearly returned its whole team from last season’s 27-win campaign. Four of the Bulls’ five starters are seniors, and it’s evident the program has its eyes on the prize after the potential exhibited last season.

The veteran team began the season by winning 11 consecutive games, notably beating No. 13 West Virginia on the road and San Francisco at a neutral site. I didn’t write the Bulls off when they suffered a 103-85 defeat in Marquette. After all, the Golden Eagles are a talented group, and I didn’t expect Buffalo to go undefeated.

Though they are still in decent position to make the tournament, the No. 23 Bulls have begun to trend in the wrong direction. Buffalo has lost two of its last four games, the first against less than impressive Northern Illinois. Then the Bulls lost to Bowling Green, who moved into first place in the MAC with the victory.

A few blips on the radar isn’t anything to panic over if you are a Bulls fan. I wouldn’t be surprised if Buffalo elevates its game and one-ups last season’s results. Part of me is expecting that.

Next. Top 2019 mid-major NBA Draft prospects. dark

Still, I’m going to need to see the Bulls string together a few more wins before I’m convinced. Especially considering that if the season ended today, Buffalo wouldn’t receive an automatic bid. This article honestly comes at an unfortunate time for Buffalo. If I were to write this in two weeks with the Bulls on a resurgent win streak, I’d trust them. But, for now, I can’t buy in on the Bulls quite yet.

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