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

1. C. J. Massinburg

Massinburg is a 6’3 wing from Dallas who arrived at Buffalo back in 2015, coinciding with Nate Oats’ promotion to the top job. In his four years with the Bulls, Massinburg would develop into a massive talent in the MAC. Buffalo would achieve a ton of on-court success, including a pair of wins in the NCAA Tournament with his leadership.

He made strides as a freshman, earning a few starts and putting up 36 points off the bench against Ohio. Massinburg played in the Big Dance that first season and would get back twice more with impressive play as an upperclassman. He averaged 17.0 points and 7.3 rebounds as a junior while shooting 40% from outside the arc, scoring 19 points in a Tourney upset over Arizona.

Early as a senior, his start was shining bright, as he scored 43 points in a road upset at West Virginia and would lead Buffalo to another MAC title and Tourney bid, this time included a win over Arizona State in the opening round.

Buffalo won 96 games in those four seasons and Massinburg was a major reason for that success. He was the top scorer in the MAC in his final two years and won MAC Player of the Year honors in 2019. His shooting numbers were impressive and comparable and he was a big leader for the Bulls. Two NCAA Tournament wins, three trips to the Big Dance, and a whole host of points and other successes in the MAC illustrate Massinburg’s importance and legacy in this league.