By Marques Phillips

The Buffalo State College men's basketball team has struggled since its coach, Dick Bihr, announced his retirement losing seven straight games after his announcement on Jan. 10.

Bihr has a strong track record and has been the coach of Bengal basketball for 25 years; he is also currently number 14 on the all-time wins list among active NCAA coaches.

“Dick has been such a tremendous asset to this college since he began his coaching career here. His leadership, both on and off the court, has inspired his players to set the bar high academically and athletically and achieve all that they can,” Jerry Boyes, Buffalo State College athletics director, told the sports information desk.

It's the “achieve athletically” part that the Bengals have struggled with in the wake of their coach's announcement.

“We had a favorable early season schedule. We have started to play better. There are a lot of new faces on this team. We hit a few bumps and we haven't won a road game yet,” said Bihr.

Key players Kevin Roach and Aaron Carter quit the team during the losing streak, neither would comment on their reasoning. Both players averaged double-digit minutes before their departure. Roach was an inside presence and Carter an efficient scorer from the perimeter.

“Sometimes players leave. Most guys should look at it as lending opportunity to someone else. Some people you lose because of injury, some by choice. As a coach, I have to hope some people step up,” commented Bihr.

The Bengals won two games after the slide, and hope to secure a spot in the State University of New York Athletic Conference playoffs, beginning Feb. 22 on campuses and culminating Feb. 26 at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. In order to make the playoffs, the Bengals will have to hold on to the eighth spot in the conference.

“I think the conference is wide open. Potsdam is the team to beat. For us to advance we'd simply have to play good basketball,” said Bihr.

As of Feb. 9, there are four SUNYAC teams within one game of that eighth spot that the Bengals held with only four games left.

Contact Marques Phillips at Philmj25@mail.buffalostate.edu

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