Men's basketball preview: Toledo at Buffalo

1/9/2005

  • Time: 2 p.m.

  • Radio: 1370

  • Records: UT is 5-6, 1-1 MAC; Buffalo is 8-3, 1-2

  • Last game: UT beat Akron 70-59; Buffalo beat Central Michigan 83-67

  • Outlook: This is a rematch of a hotly contested quarterfinal game from last season's MAC Tournament in which the Rockets outlasted the Bulls 97-85 at Gund Arena. It is also a showdown between the two teams picked as the favorites in their respective divisions in the MAC. Both have struggled to start the MAC season, with the Bulls losing at home to defending champ Western Michigan, and on the road to Bowling Green before getting their first conference win Thursday at Central Michigan. Buffalo, 17-12 last season, has everybody back from that team, which put together UB's best record since joining the MAC in 1998. Point guard Turner Battle leads a deep and experienced Buffalo team. The Bulls' size inside could be trouble for the Rockets, as 6-10 Mark Bortz, 6-10 Yassin Idbihi, and 6-6 Mario Jordan are all physical players who can score and rebound. Toledo is still working to get back to .500 after opening the season 1-5.