AMHERST — The Niagara Falls connection to University at Buffalo basketball will likely continue beyond this year.

UB coach Reggie Witherspoon confirmed this week that he plans to redshirt senior point guard Byron Mulkey this year, and preserve the Niagara-Wheatfield graduate’s final season of eligibility for the 2010-11 campaign.

Mulkey will only play this year if starting point guard John Boyer or freshman backup Tony Watson III get injured, Witherspoon said. The Bulls open their season tonight against Vermont at Alumni Arena.

“Instead of cutting the pie three times, we can cut it in half,” Witherspoon said. “And it gives Byron a chance to be the senior leader next year. He’s earned that.”

The Bulls have seven seniors on this year’s roster, including Boyer and Mulkey. Forward Jawaan Alston is the only junior.

Mulkey said he was “a little bit shocked” when Witherspoon told him of the decision prior to the Bulls’ Oct. 31 scrimmage at St. Bonaventure, but he’s since accepted his fate.

“Initially, it caught me off guard,” he said. “I’d been prepping all summer, getting into practice and getting good chemistry with the guys. Obviously, sitting out the season and watching the guys I came in here with is going to be tough.

“But he explained his mindset, as far as looking toward the future, and it makes sense for me and it makes sense for the rest of the guys. So I’m all for it.”

Mulkey said he plans to use the year to build his body, adding weight without losing quickness, and improve his jump shot.

The extra year will also benefit Mulkey academically. Set to graduate in May, Mulkey will be able to use his athletic scholarships to cover tuition costs for his first year of study in UB’s School of Management. His undergraduate tuition was covered by the Daniel Acker Scholars Program.

Mulkey has had an up and down career with the Bulls. After scoring 1,777 points in high school (26th-most in Western New York history), he did not receive any Division I scholarship offers, and joined the Bulls as a walk-on.

The plan was for him to redshirt as a freshman, but 22 games into the season, Mulkey became the starting point guard, because Witherspoon was dissatisfied with the play of Eric Moore (who later transferred), and Boyer was recovering from a bout with mononucleosis.

Mulkey was awarded a scholarship after averaging 9.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists, but began his sophomore season as a backup. Eventually, the Bulls realized Rodney Pierce was better suited to play shooting guard, and Mulkey started the final 12 games at the point.

Last year, Witherspoon converted Niagara Falls native Greg Gamble from a wing player into his starting point guard, and with Boyer established as the backup, Mulkey appeared in just nine games. He provided a spark with five points, two rebounds and an assist in the second half of UB’s Mid-American Conference championship game loss to Akron.

Even though his teammates knew Mulkey wasn’t going to play this year, he was voted a captain (along with Boyer) for the third season in a row.

Witherspoon said, “that shows you a lot about Byron, his focus and his maturity.”

Contact reporter Jonah Bronstein at 282-2311, ext. 2258.



GAME NIGHT

UB (0-0) vs. Vermont (0-1)

• WHEN: 5:30 p.m.

• WHERE: Alumni Arena

• RADIO: WECK 1230

• NOTES: UB returns four starters and several key reserves from a team that went 21-12, claimed the MAC East division title and went to the conference championship game last year. ... Vermont has the reigning America East player of the year in 6-5 forward Marques Blakely. ... UB lost at 78-70 at Vermont last year in a BracketBuster game. ... Vermont lost at Loyola 79-66 in its season opener.