November signals the return of college basketball nationwide and for the University at Buffalo’s men’s and women’s basketball teams.
With no opportunity to participate in summer workouts on campus due to Covid-19, UB’s men’s basketball coach Jim Whitesell said the pandemic has been a disruptive force and it’s been tough getting everything back on track to start the season. He said the onus was put on players in the off-season to come back on campus in shape and ready to play.
“I think each kid was individually different compared to where they lived,” he said. “[For] A lot of our guys, one of the factors was ‘hey, do want to come back? You’ll have to quarantine,’ there’s no getting around that, we kind of explained to them. But also, what are you doing at home? Do you have a place where you can work out? Is it safe? Are you getting your work done?”
Whitesell said his players had to adjust mentally as well, knowing this school year and basketball season will be unlike anything they had ever experienced before.
The UB men tip off Wednesday November 25th at home against Gannon University, while the women start November 30th at James Madison University in Virginia. Home games for both Bulls teams will be played without an audience, in accordance with Erie County and New York State guidelines.
