Dec. 6

THESE BULLS ARE TOUGH (SO IS THE MAC)
People in Buffalo are excited about the Bulls. No, not the pro football Bills, but the men's college basketball team.

There is enthusiasm galore with the Bulls as I shared a day with them as guest speaker for 4,000 in Buffalo Monday night. I really appreciated the warm welcome and standing ovation from the beautiful students, administrators and people in attendance.

It was fun, baby! Then Buffalo went out and beat Darrelle Porter's Duquesne squad.

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I've said all along that the MAC is one of the most underrated conferences in America. ”

The reason for optimism up in Buffalo is the recent commitment received from Turner Battle from the state of North Carolina. Bob Gibbons, the recruiting guru, said this point guard should be a steal for Buffalo.

He should help a Bulls program which is excited to be a part of the Mid-American Conference.

I have said all along that the MAC is one of the most underrated conferences in America. If you don't believe me, just give a call to Brian Ellerbe at Michigan, Gene Keady at Purdue, Cliff Ellis at Auburn or John Chaney at Temple. All of them have been upset victims against MAC members this season.

This conference for years has proven it can flat-out play against the big boys.

For Buffalo, if it can land a few key recruits and keep a few kids from the city and upstate New York to stay at home, Reggie Witherspoon's program will develop into something special.

KNIGHT MOVES?
It was interesting to learn recently that Bobby Knight, when he was 25 years old, almost left Army to take over at the University of Florida.

Knight admitted that when he recently spoke at the Gainesville campus.

Imagine how different the history of the Big Ten would have been if that happened?

MATADORS ARE FOR REAL
If anyone ever questioned Cal State-Northridge's upset of UCLA, look at how close the Matadors came to upsetting another ranked team from the Pac-10, USC.

Bobby Braswell's squad came oh-so-close, but the Trojans prevailed thanks to David Bluthenthal and Desmond Farmer.

Cal State-Northridge has proven it can play with the big guys, giving the Trojans all they could handle. The Matadors lost a couple of close calls at UNLV and Marquette too.

Braswell's team will be tough to beat in the Big Sky this season.