In Oats ' third season , 2017 – 18 , the Bulls began conference play with eight straight wins , the best conference start in team history . The Bulls finished the 2017 – 18 MAC schedule with a 15 – 3 record , and Oats was named MAC coach of the year as the Bulls won outright the conference regular season for the first time in team history . The Bulls went on to win the 2018 MAC tournament . On March 8 , 2018 , Oats signed a contract extension with the University at Buffalo to remain head basketball coach through 2023 . Oats ' Buffalo Bulls went on to the 2018 NCAA Tournament seeded 13th in the South Region where they convincingly beat the favored 4th seed Arizona Wildcats 89 – 68
2018 MAC tournament
2018 MAC Men's Basketball Tournament
Nate Oats