Basketball (M)
Our season guide will give you information on the players and coaches, stats, team records, and more. Print it out and bring it to the game with you!
Buffalo State began varsity play in 1926-27 and has earned more than 950 victories and a winning percentage of better than .600, establishing itself as one of the most successful programs in Division III. Since the SUNYAC started tournament play in 1980, the Bengals have qualified for the playoffs every year but once, and have earned 11 conference championships. In addition, Buffalo State has made 18 trips to the NCAA tournament. In all, the team has won 18 SUNYAC Championships.
For the first time since 1979, the Bengals were under the direction of a new full-time head coach during the 2005-06 season (Fred Batchelor served as the interim coach during the 1999-00 season while Dick Bihr was on sabbatical). Fajri Ansari took over for Coach Bihr, who retired as one of the most successful Division III coaches of all-time with a record of 449-211. Ansari brought an impressive resume of his own to Buffalo State. Well-known in Western New York for his highly successful tenure at Turner Carroll High School from 1989 through 2003, Ansari led his teams to two State Federation Championships, five State Catholic Association titles, and three Monsignor Martin Manhattan Cup Championships.
Buffalo State has had more than 60 players earn All-SUNYAC status, and has had several All-Americans, including Randy Smith, who went on to become the MVP of an NBA All-Star game. The Bengals play in the 3,500-seat on-campus Sports Arena, one of the finest facilities in all of Division III.
SUNYAC Championships
1966-67, 1967-68, 1968-69, 1969-70, 1970-71, 1971-72, 1983-84, 1984-85, 1987-88, 1988-89, 1989-90, 1990-91, 1991-92, 1994-95, 1995-96, 1996-97, 2002-03
NCAA Playoffs
1966-67, 1967-68, 1969-70, 1970-71, 1971-72, 1975-76, 1983-84, 1984-85, 1987-88, 1988-89, 1989-90, 1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1994-95, 1995-96, 1996-97, 2002-03
SUNYAC Coach of the Year
Dick Bihr - 1981-82, 1984-85, 1988-89, 1989-90, 1995-96, 2002-03
