MAC Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

14. Nick Perkins

A talented power forward from Ypsilanti, Michigan, Perkins played his role well during four seasons at Buffalo. The 6’8 frontcourt talent’s four seasons in the MAC lined up with Nate Oats’ four years running the program, and Perkins certainly was a big part of Buffalo’s revival during that time. Interestingly enough, Perkins achieved a ton of success off the bench, starting just 35 of the 139 games he played for the Bulls.

Decent numbers early would turn into elite ones later in his career, though he put up 20 points as a freshman against Miami in the NCAA Tournament. He would average 16.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in his junior year, which was another season that ended in the Big Dance. In total, Perkins made three trips to the NCAA Tournament, putting up 21 points in a win over Arizona State during his senior year. That entire campaign actually saw him coming off the bench.

Perkins relished that role, winning MAC Sixth Man of the Year as a senior, a year in which he took home a second straight First Team All-MAC honor. His numbers were impressive across the board, sitting among the league’s best scorers and rebounders. Clearly, Buffalo was the best program in the MAC during Perkins’ time in the league and there’s no question that he played a role in that success, though he certainly wasn’t alone.