Winners of six straight, the UB Men's basketball team is right back in the postseason conversation.
But, looking to make history and claim a third straight MAC title -- a feat never before accomplished in conference history -- the Bulls were near a breaking point in January, with a sub-500 record and 3-5 mark in league play.
"I don't think we had enough attention to detail early in the year," Head Coach Nate Oats said. "As much as you want to talk to them, we should have somehow done a better job making them realize this isn't going to be easy."
"We all got tired of losing," guard Blake Hamilton added. "We all got on each other and said, we have to do this, this and that to win and everybody was like 'Blake, it starts with you. It starts with you.' That just really showed me I need to get myself together."
And, Hamilton has.
On their six game winning streak, the senior is averaging more than 18 points per game. But the true catalyst? Dontay Caruthers and his smothering defense.
The sophomore is averaging more than two steals per game on their current stretch.
"I think it's a big aspect of my game that can really help us in the long run," Caruthers said.
"He always manages to get a charge or steal or something that motivates us to pick it up," Hamilton added.
Winners of six of their last 10, with their current run the Bulls have climbed the MAC standings and are currently tied for second in the East with a 9-5 conference record.
UB will look to continue to ride Hamilton and Caruthers, and push their winning streak to seven games Tuesday when they host Kent State. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at Alumni Arena.
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