Buffalo’s CJ Massinburg Named to Oscar Robertson Midseason Watch List

Despite dropping their first game of the season to Marquette last night, the Buffalo Bulls got some great news yesterday as their own CJ Massinburg got named to the Oscar Robertson Midseason Watch List. The award goes to the nation’s top basketball player at the end of the season and the Watch List includes 19 other players such as Duke’s Zion Williamson, De’Andre Hunter from Virginia, and Oregon’s Bol Bol.

Massinburg has certainly put up the numbers to earn his spot on the list as his play has helped power UB to an 11-1 record so far this season. He is shooting almost 48% from the floor (with 44% behind the arc to boot) and is an effective free throw shooter at 81%. He complements his 17.9 points per game with 6.9 rebounds per game, an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.0, 1.5 steals per game, and 0.4 blocks per game.

As great as Massinburg has been this season, he will really have to elevate his game in conference play. There aren’t really any other games left that take place on a national stage left on the schedule (save for three games on CBS Sports Network early on in MAC play) so he will have to put up some serious numbers to maintain consideration for the award at the end of the season. Putting up gaudy numbers will be no easy feat either as Buffalo has a number of good basketball players on the roster (hence why they are 11-1). However, Massinburg and the Bulls should be commended for helping put together a program that can have success as a team as well as have players receive individual recognition.