Bobby Hurley lands a four star point guard at Buffalo

When Bobby Hurley took over the Buffalo coaching job many knew that the job was a project. Hurley would need time on the recruiting trail and to get some of his own players in the program.

Hurley has a building block for the future as Buffalo landed four star point guard Lamonte Bearden from Germantown (Wisconsin) High School. This could be a very important recruit for Hurley as he looks to establish the Bulls as contenders in the MAC in the future.

How did Bearden slip through the cracks? Yahoo's Jeff Eisenberg says academic concerns played a role in him landing at Buffalo instead of a high major school. San Francisco, Oregon State, and Saint Louis also were in the mix for Bearden's services. In the end Bearden said that Buffalo was the place for him and that Hurley can help him become a better point guard.

 ‘Even though I didn’t visit some of these other schools, I just knew that Buffalo was the best school for me. They use a lot of ball screens and I like a lot of ball screens,’ he added. ‘I think I fit their program real well.  ‘That was one of the reason I committed,’ Bearden said. ‘He was a good point guard. I think he can help me develop into a better point guard.’

Hurley has his point guard of the future now let's see him build around him.

Bobby Hurley hired to coach Buffalo basketball

The University of Buffalo has hired Bobby Hurley to lead the basketball team in a new direction.

Hurley was introduced as the new coach today after cutting his teeth with his brother, Danny, at Wagner and Rhode Island where Danny was the head coach and Bobby was an assistant.

He'll be taking over for the recently ousted Reggie Witherspoon, who had a small bit of success but was never able to get the team to the NCAA tournament in a pretty wide open MAC conference.

"The appointment of coach Hurley sends a clear statement that the University at Buffalo is committed to bringing big-time college athletics to the western New York community and the state at large," athletic director Danny White said. "I'm confident after our discussions that he is the right leader to take our program to the next level."

Most know Hurley from his days as a national championship winning point guard at Duke, which should get Buffalo some name recognition. Before anyone thinks this is a Clyde Drexler (Houston) or Isiah Thomas (Florida International) gimmick hiring, you must remember that basketball runs in the Hurley family blood.

Bob Hurley Sr. coaches the famed St. Anthony's high school program in New Jersey and has compiled more than 1000 wins. Dan played at Seton Hall and Bobby played in the NBA after his Duke career.

I don't know what this will do for recruiting and getting fans in the seats but knowing the leader that Hurley was at Duke, I believe the Bulls made a good hire. Hopefully for the fans there, it will translate into a winning program.