1st Round South Region: Miami narrowly escapes Buffalo

Joe Hall, Staff Writer

Miami

Normally when a #3 seed plays a #14 seed, it doesn’t go over well. Normally, the 14 seed gets annihilated. However, the Miami-Buffalo game was an exception. This game had all the makings of a good one. Miami entered the game with a record of 26-7 and Buffalo entered with a record of 20-15. Buffalo also entered the game with a 5-0 record on a neutral court.  Buffalo, got into the tournament after winning the Mid-American Conference Tournament after defeating Akron 64-61. Miami got into the tournament thanks to an at-large bid after finishing third in the ACC regular season standings behind two number-one seeds, North Carolina and Virginia, and being eliminated in the ACC Tournament by that tough Virginia team.

The Hurricanes and Bulls would go back and forth with buckets throughout the first half. Buffalo would, however, take a big lead about halfway through the first half. At one point they would lead by nine. However, thanks to a Miami run, Miami would retake the lead and go into halftime with a 35-33 lead.

The second half would be all Miami though; Miami led at one point by 12. Miami attacked the Bulls using the three-point shot. Buffalo’s big men were slacking which allowed Miami to go to the perimeter shots as well. Miami staved off a late Buffalo charge to win 79-72

Miami’s win pushed them to the 2nd Round where they will take on the Shockers from Wichita State, who “upset” Arizona by 10, 65-55.