As the clock winds down and we focus ahead to a new decade, UB fans can look back at 2019 with a sense of pride and accomplishment. Filled with championships and record-breaking performances, 2019 was arguably the best year in UB Athletics history.

At the start of 2019, the men's basketball team was not just the talk of the town, but garnering national attention as well. The Bulls blazed through non-conference play, knocking off traditional powers West Virginia and Syracuse and began to climb the national rankings for the first time in school history. By January, UB began its assault on the Mid-American Conference. The Bulls went 16-2 in conference play to win the MAC regular season title and the top seed in the conference tournament.

Once in Cleveland, the Bulls did what they did three of the previous four seasons, win the MAC title and an invitation to the Big Dance. Entering the NCAA Tournament as a ranked team, UB earned the sixth seed, the highest ever by a Mid-American Conference program. For the second straight season, the Bulls won their opening round game, easily defeating Arizona State and former head coach Bobby Hurley, 91-74. Unfortunately, Buffalo's run would end in the next round to eventual national runner-up Texas Tech. UB finished the season with 32 wins, the most ever by any Mid-American Conference team.

The women's basketball team also got off to a good start in 2019, but it was the way the Bulls ended the season that had fans really excited. After finishing the regular season with a 12-6 mark in conference play, the Bulls entered the MAC Tournament as the fourth seed, needing to knock off the top seeds to bring home the crown. And that they did.

After blowing out fifth-seed Kent State in the quarterfinals, the Bulls faced top-seed and favorite Central Michigan in the semifinals. Cierra Dillard, the nation's second leading scorer, dropped 30 points to help upset the Chippewas, 82-77, and give the Bulls a spot in the title game against second-seeded Ohio. Once again, Dillard paced the Bulls with 22 points and the Bulls barely trailed in the game, defeating the Bobcats, 77-61, and winning their second MAC Championship in school history.

Leaning on the experience they gained a season earlier when they advanced to the Sweet 16, the Bulls were able to upset Rutgers in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. UB nearly did the same in the second round, but fell just short of perennial-power Connecticut on the Huskies' home floor.

The magic in Alumni Arena was not just reserved for the basketball teams as the wrestling program enjoyed its finest season since joining the Mid-American Conference. The Bulls went 12-5 overall, including a program-best 5-2 conference mark and a best-ever second place finish at the MAC Championships. Troy Keller (165) and Brett Perry (197) were both crowned conference champions and the Bulls had six national qualifiers - the most since 2011. Head Coach John Stutzman was named MAC Coach of the Year for the first time in his career.

In the pool, women's swimming and diving placed third at the MAC Championships. Brittney Beetcher set a new school record in the 500 freestyle with a time of 4:45.64 at the MACs.  

At the 2019 MAC Track and Field Championships, Devon Patterson (shot put), Brandon Burke (high jump) and Leon Atkins (800m) were all crowned MAC Champions. However, Atkins run didn't stop there. The senior advanced all the way to the NCAA Championships where he earned second-team All-American honors. He was the first male student-athlete from Buffalo to compete in a track event at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

On the softball diamond, the Bulls saw three student-athletes earn All-MAC honors. UB improved in several offensive categories in head coach Mike Ruechel's second season at the helm.

On the tennis courts, the men's squad had another solid season, finishing 6-1 in MAC play, but were tripped up in the semifinals of the MAC Tournament by Northern Illinois. The women's tennis team also advanced to the MAC semifinals before bowing out to Akron.

When the calendar turned to the fall months, the success continued for the Bulls.

After struggling out of the gate, the women's soccer team rallied to go unbeaten in six of their last seven games of the regular season and earned a home game in the first round of the MAC Tournament. Taylor Caridi tallied the game-winner in the second overtime to defeat Akron and send the Bulls to the tournament's semifinals. Unfortunately, the run would end there as UB fell to top seed and eventual champion Bowling Green.

A young UB volleyball squad also enjoyed postseason success and will look to build on that for the future. A third-straight MAC Tournament qualifier for the first time in school history, the Bulls swept Akron in the first round for their first conference tournament win since 2009.

The men's cross country team finished in third place at the MAC Championships, tying the best finish by the UB men since 2016.

After losing a number of key players from a 10-win team in 2018, it looked to possibly be a rebuilding year for the football squad. However, no one told that to the Bulls. Winners of five of its last six games of the regular season, UB was the arguably the best team in the Mid-American Conference entering bowl season. After finishing the regular season 7-5, the Bulls were invited to play in the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl, their second bowl game in as many seasons.

Buffalo made the most of its opportunity, dominating Charlotte, 31-9, for the program's first-ever bowl title. Sophomore running back Jaret Patterson was named the offensive MVP after rushing for 173 yards and two touchdowns, capping a record-breaking campaign. Patterson, who ranks fifth in the nation in rushing, finished the season with 1,799 yards and 17 touchdowns, both single-season school records.  
 
Filled with championships, record-breaking performances and all-conference players, it was an incredible year for UB Athletics and a benchmark for the future. Before flipping the calendar to 2020, take a moment to remember how truly special 2019 really was.