Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - While none of the Big 4 college basketball teams in Western New York earned a berth in the NCAA men's basketball tournament this week, there are a handful of players who spent time with the local programs, then transferred, and will be experiencing March Madness:
Curtis Jones
Jones is a senior at Iowa State University.
He started every game for the University at Buffalo in the 2022-23 season, and led the Bulls in scoring.
Jones is now in his second season with the Cyclones, and is one of the best sixth men in the country. He is averaging 30 minutes a game and 17 points coming off the bench.
Harlan Obioha
Obioha is a junior at North Carolina-Wilmington.
He logged two-and-a-half seasons at Niagara University, where last season was a breakthrough campaign for Obioha. He started 31 games and turned into one of the better big men in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).
With the Seahawks, Obioha was moved into the starting lineup by the start of their conference schedule. He has played in 34 games and is averaging nine points and five rebounds.
Shawn Fulcher
Fulcher is another former UB Bulls player now playing with Alabama State.
He started 22 of the 31 games in which he played for the Bulls last season, and averaged eight points and three assists.
A junior, Fulcher has played in 30 games for the Hornets this season, and is averaging four points and 10 minutes.
Devean Williams
The Bryant Bulldogs of America East have two transfers from Big 4 programs.
Williams spent the last two seasons on Main Street in Buffalo playing for Canisius University. He started 10 of his 36 games played for the Griffs, and averaged seven points last season.
He hasn't played since the Bulldogs' season opener against Dean.
Barry Evans
Williams' teammate with Bryant has been a key contributor for the Bulldogs this season.
Evans, who played the last two seasons at St. Bonaventure University, was named America East Newcomer of the Year, as well as Second-Team All-Conference. He played in every game, and registered career highs of 13 points and six rebounds a game.
Nick Schmidt, whose father Mark is the longtime coach at Bona, is an assistant on the Bryant staff.
Noah Waterman
Waterman, who played his high school ball at Finger Lakes Christian School, plays for the University of Louisville.
He was at Niagara in the 2019-20 season, but played in just seven games for the Purple Eagles before suffering a season-ending injury.
Waterman started 19 of the 30 games played for the Cardinals this season, and is averaging six points and 20 minutes a game.
Kuluel Mading
Mading is a senior at Norfolk State.
The Spartans are in the tournament after winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Mading played for UB as a freshman and sophomore, but appeared in just 13 games.
He is in his second season with the Spartans, and has been a starter since he arrived on campus. Mading is averaging seven points and four rebounds a game.
Nate Oats
Can't forget the one coaching note of interest.
Oats, the former UB head coach, once again has his Alabama Crimson Tide in the tournament, and the Tide are definitely a national championship contender.
Seeded second in the East region, Alabama will play Friday in Cleveland against Robert Morris.