Oats has Buffalo shedding basketball's mid-major label

FILE - In this Feb. 16, 2019, file photo, Butler coach LaVall Jordan encourages his team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against DePaul in Indianapolis. Much like what’s happened at other small-school programs such as Butler and Xavier, Gonzaga’s trajectory isn’t lost on Buffalo coach Nate Oats, who has wondered whether the same can't one day be realized at Buffalo. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

FILE - In this Thursday, March 14, 2019, file photo, 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 in Cleveland. Buffalo showing signs of shedding college basketball’s mid-major label in preparing to make fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in five years. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)