KALAMAZOO, Mich. – After winning at Kent State for the first time since 2014 on Tuesday, the Western Michigan men's basketball team returns to University Arena on Saturday for its Gold Rush Game against Buffalo.
 

GAME INFO

Matchup: Western Michigan (4-12, 1-3 MAC) vs Buffalo (5-11, 0-4)

Date/Time: Saturday, Jan. 18 – 1 pm

Site: University Arena (Kalamazoo, Mich.)

Tickets: wmubroncos.com/tickets

Video: ESPN+

Radio: Bronco Media Network

Live Stats: StatBroadcast

OPENING TIP

• Western Michigan returns to University Arena on Saturday as it hosts Buffalo.
• The Broncos grabbed their first MAC win of the year on Tuesday as they picked up a 94-83 victory at Kent State.
• It was Western Michigan's first win at Kent State since Jan. 23, 2014.
• WMU's 94 points against the Golden Flashes set a new season high.
• The Broncos set also posted new season highs in both free throws made (30) and attempted (41) in the victory.
• Five players scored in double-figures for WMU, led by Markhi Strickland's 18.
• Chansey Willis Jr. had 16 points, giving him 10 or more in all eight of his games.
• The Broncos lead the conference in both rebounding margin (+5.1) and offensive rebounding (13.7).
• Buffalo comes into Saturday with a 22-15 advantage in the all-time series.
• Last season, WMU swept the season series from the Bulls for the first time ever.

GOLD RUSH
Western Michigan returns to University Arena on Saturday afternoon for its Gold Rush Game against Buffalo. WMU will be wearing its new gold jerseys for just the second time this season. The Broncos debuted the jerseys on Nov. 20 against South Dakota.

LAST TIME OUT
The Broncos grabbed their first MAC win of the season on Tuesday as they knocked off Kent State, 94-83. It was the first time Western Michigan had won at Kent State since Jan. 23, 2014. The Brown and Gold shot over 50.0 percent from the field in the contest on the way to a season-high 94 points. WMU also set new season highs in both free throws made (30) and attempted (41).

BALANCED BRONCOS
Western Michigan had five players score in double-figures for the fifth time this season in Tuesday's win at Kent State. Markhi Strickland led the way with 18 points, JaVaughn Hannah went 8-for-9 from the field to tie his season high with 17, Chansey Willis Jr. notched 16, Donovan Williams went 7-for-7 from the free throw line to net 15 and Brandon Muntu added 10. WMU has four players currently averaging double-digit points, and seven different Broncos have led the team in scoring at least once this season.

MAKING HIS MARK
After not having a double-digit scoring effort in 26 NCAA Division I games prior to this season, Markhi Strickland has scored in double-figures in 11 of Western Michigan's 16 games and paced the team in scoring five times in 2024-25. The Miami native is WMU's leading scorer among qualifiers at 12.1 points per game this season.

WILLING HIS WAY TO THE TOP
Chansey Willis Jr. has made a big impact in his first eight games as a Bronco. In Tuesday's win at Kent State, Willis had 16 points, giving him double-digit points in all eight of his appearances. For the season, the junior is averaging 15.4 points, 5.6 assists and 4.6 rebounds. His 5.6 assists per game would be third in the MAC if he had played enough games to qualify for the league leaders.

CRASHING THE BOARDS
Western Michigan was dominant on the glass on Tuesday, as it owned a 37-28 advantage, which included 14 offensive rebounds. It marked the 10th time the Broncos have won the rebounding battle this season. Entering the weekend, the Broncos are atop the league in both rebounding margin (+5.1) and offensive rebounding (13.7), as well as second in overall rebounding (38.6).

OWEN-ING THE GLASS
Owen Lobsinger continues to be WMU's top rebounder, as he ranks third in the MAC at 7.1 per game. Frontcourt mate Max Burton has also cracked the top-10, coming into the weekend tied for 10th at 5.7. In league play, Lobsinger is fourth at 7.8 boards per contest.

GETTING OFFENSIVE
After leading the MAC in offensive rebounding in each of the first two seasons under head coach Dwayne Stephens, the Broncos are atop the conference again, averaging 13.7 offensive boards per contest, which ranks 27th in NCAA DI. WMU has four of the league's top-15 offensive rebounders in Max Burton and Owen Lobsinger (2.2, T-8), Donovan Williams (1.9, 11th) and JaVaughn Hannah (1.7, 16th). In conference play, Western Michigan is averaging 16.0 offensive boards per game, with Lobsinger's 3.3 offensive rebounds tied for third in the league.

PROTECTING THE ROCK
The Broncos have had 10 or fewer turnovers eight times this season, and currently rank second in the MAC and 63rd nationally in fewest turnovers per game at 10.8.

SERIES HISTORY
Buffalo enters Saturday's contest with a 22-15 advantage in the all-time series between the two programs. Last season, Western Michigan swept the season series from the Bulls for the first time ever. 

SCOUTING THE BULLS
Buffalo is one of two teams still looking for its first MAC victory. UB's Tyson Dunn is the league leader in assists (5.8/game), and is one of 15 Division I players to have recorded a triple-double this season.

ON THE HORIZON
Western Michigan continues its homestand on Tuesday against Northern Illinois.