Buffalo hires Bobby Hurley as men's basketball coach

It looks like New Jersey's own, Bobby Hurley, is headed to upstate New York to take over the men's basketball program at Buffalo.  A press conference late Tuesday announced Hurley's first head coaching job would be at the university, after three seasons as an assistant at Wagner, then Rhode Island for his brother Dan, according to ESPN.

Hurley will replace Reggie Witherspoon, who was 198-228 during 14 years at the school.  The Bulls finished 14-20 overall, 7-9 in the Mid-American Conference.

This might be a good hire for the middle-of-the-pack Bulls.  Hurley, the son of legendary St. Anthony's  (Jersey City) High School coach Bob, Sr., brings a solid background as a player at Duke — something his two national titles will attest to.  Even though his glory days were two decades ago, Hurley's Coach K pedigree and the former All-American's name recognition should be enough to lure top prospects to the Buffalo campus.

The Bulls have had a decent amount of success recently, but has been in hovering in the middle of the MAC. A lot of the hype around the program is attributed to the talents of Michael Watt and Javon McCrea. If Hurley can convince McCrea to stick around for his senior season — he averaged 18 points and 7.9 rebounds this season — he might have the roster (only two seniors on this year’s roster) to immediately contend in the MAC.

That's something the old Jersey City gym rat will be able to build on.