TOM WITHERS
FILE - In this March 19, 2021, file photo, Cleveland State head coach Dennis Gates directs his team during the first half of a first-round game against Houston in the NCAA college basketball tournament at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. After turning around a program in just two seasons, Gates signed a contract extension Thursday, May 20, 2021, through the 2026-27 season. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler, File)
Gates gets contract extension at Cleveland State thru 2027

By Tom Withers May. 20, 2021 11:30 AM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland State isn't going to let coach Dennis Gates get away

Cleveland State head coach Dennis. Gates watches during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the men's Horizon League conference tournament championship game against Oakland, Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
A memorable car ride leads Gates, Sampson to NCAA meeting

By Tom Withers Mar. 18, 2021 03:28 PM EDT
The book is never far from Dennis Gates' reach, with the inscription providing

Buffalo's LaQuill Hardnett, left, grabs a rebound ahead of Ohio's Ben Roderick during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Mid-American Conference tournament, Saturday, March 13, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Ohio beats Buffalo for first MAC title since 2012, NCAA bid

By Tom Withers Mar. 14, 2021 04:16 AM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Last March, the Ohio Bobcats were on the floor warming up for

Cleveland State head coach Dennis. Gates celebrates with is team following an NCAA college basketball game in the men's Horizon League conference tournament championship game against Oakland, Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Indianapolis. Cleveland State won 80-69 (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Gates has Cleveland State dreaming, dancing into NCAA field

By Tom Withers Mar. 12, 2021 07:30 AM EST
CLEVELAND (AP) — When his team made history for ineptitude in December,

Mid-American Conference commissioner Jon Steinbrecher speaks to the media, Thursday, March 12, 2020, in Cleveland. The Mid-American Conference basketball tournament was cancelled Thursday, at an arena scheduled to be the site of NCAA men's tournament games next week .(AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Ohio players get in one last run after MAC tourney canceled

By Tom Withers Mar. 12, 2020 03:23 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — After getting up some pregame shots, Ohio's players excitedly

FILE - In this March 6, 2018, file photo, Cleveland State head coach Dennis Felton watches the second half of an NCAA basketball game against Wright State in the Horizon League tournament championship in Detroit. Felton has been fired by Cleveland State after just two seasons. Felton and his entire staff were let go on Friday, July 12, 2019, athletic director Scott Garrett announced. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Cleveland State fires coach Dennis Felton after 2 seasons

By Tom Withers Jul. 12, 2019 03:46 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Dennis Felton's stay at Cleveland State was short, and anything but

Bowling Green's Antwon Lillard (11) and Buffalo's Jeremy Harris (2) battle for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball championship game of the Mid-American Conference men's tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Raging Bulls: Buffalo wins fourth MAC title in 5 years

By Tom Withers Mar. 16, 2019 09:59 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Not a coaching change. Not new players. Not any MAC team has been

Bowling Green hangs on, beats N. Illinois to make MAC final

By Tom Withers Mar. 15, 2019 11:34 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Dylan Frye scored 25 points, Justin Turner made a big late steal and

Central Michigan's Kevin McKay (20) grabs a rebound ahead of Buffalo's CJ Massinburg (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Mid-American Conference men's tournament Friday, March 15, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
No. 18 Buffalo bulls past Central Michigan into MAC final

By Tom Withers Mar. 15, 2019 09:05 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Buffalo's hopes for another MAC championship were dangling, and as

Buffalo head coach Nate Oats yells instruction to players during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Akron at the Mid-American Conference tournament, Thursday, March 14, 2019, in Cleveland. Buffalo won 82-46. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Buffalo coach Nate Oates signs extension through 2024

By Tom Withers Mar. 14, 2019 04:22 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Buffalo's Nate Oats signed a five-year contract extension that will

Buffalo's Jayvon Graves (3) drives past Akron's Jeremy Roscoe (13) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Mid-American Conference tournament, Thursday, March 14, 2019, in Cleveland. Buffalo won 82-46. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Buffaloed: No. 18 Bulls bowl over Akron in MAC quarterfinals

By Tom Withers Mar. 14, 2019 02:19 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Jeremy Harris touched the blue construction worker's hard hat

Akron's Tyler Cheese (4) drives past Buffalo's Jayvon Graves (3) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019, in Akron, Ohio. Buffalo won 76-70. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Massinburg's 21 helps No. 25 Buffalo hold off Akron 76-70

By Tom Withers Feb. 12, 2019 09:10 PM EST
AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Buffalo's run of conference championships, 20-win seasons and a

Buffalo CJ Massinburg shoots a three point basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Kent State, Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, in Kent, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
No. 14 Buffalo survives scare, beats Kent State 88-79

By Tom Withers Jan. 25, 2019 09:06 PM EST
KENT, Ohio (AP) — No surprise, the guys from slippery, snowy Western New York

Akron head coach Terry Bowden walks back to the sideline after a timeout during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina defeated Akron 28-3. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Akron fires coach Terry Bowden after 4-8 season

By Tom Withers Dec. 02, 2018 03:06 PM EST
Akron has fired coach Terry Bowden after seven seasons. Athletic