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Let's give a thanks to Connor Fields who obviously could have transfered to the ACC the past couple years and has chosen to stay to help lead the team to possible glory.

A lot of people on this board were pretty happy we were able to pick up Ale Foster because of the grad transfer rule. Some were even saying Brown should even go out and get one or two more. Unfortunately this is the other side of that rule. People came in and poached our program. I find these two transfers out of the program to be very unfortunate I wonder if Joe would have stayed for his final year if they were able to make the dance in one of his first three years. I wouldn't put this on the same level of Logan Aronholt. I find this situation to be worse. Joe is a Local guy, great player, great teammate, leader, tough, all the things you want. I always found Logan to be soft and hide in big moments. I didn't think he was very dependable. I agree with the guys who said this is a bad look for future recruits too. It just lends itself to questions of why and how could this happen. But, for the current incoming guys and guys coming off their redshirt year, its a great opportunity. I was hoping Joe could show them the way before his 4 years was up, hopefully they don't follow his lead now.

It was a critical error by Benson, overall, and is one of the reasons I am not sold on him being an administrator. Marketing guy...yep. But not sold on the package.

My very first thought when I saw this tonight was that this is what happens when your AD refuses to fund the team's post season. As a fan, I agree with most that the CIT and the CBI do not thrill me, but, I recall a post by Patch stating that the players wanted another game. If the AD doesn't support the players, why should we expect David and Joe to pass on the opportunity to play at a higher level. My second thought was that Patsos will be rushing to sign a new contract knowing we enter the season with only Campbell & Clark as returning players

Again, I liked Zach Bye when he was here and I know he is/was a long time friend of Joe; but this comment just sounds like talk show fodder. How can he make a comment like this? There is plenty more that Joe could have done! For starters if nothing else, finish what he started; not to mention that he could lead a team to the ncaa's, could become player of the year in the conference, could break all sorts of personnel records. I know it sounds bitter to say he has not accomplished any of these things and truth be told the records, rewards & ncaa are really secondary, but finishing what he started here would have been (IMHO) much more rewarding than "seeing" if he could play @ a higher level. And Oh by the way he had no higher level or for that matter any offer from any school other that UA. Maybe a little loyalty to the school that showed a lot of interest and gave him a free university degree is something MORE he could have done.

I wish Joe the best but it seems (by pure speculation lol) Joe wants a team he can ride into the post season with and UAlbany was looking for Joe to be the leader to take us to the NCAA tournament. As we know we never got our leader we were looking for this year. We all had those high local hero expectations sometimes expectations are wrong. Nothing is wrong with that, I'd rather him be honest with himself and the team if that's the case, who knows. Not everyone wants to or has the skills to be that. Maybe he knew he was not going to be that clutch guy everyone thought he would be. Maybe being a small fish in a big pond is something he wants to try out his grad yr. A LOT of maybes, we will never know. Only him and CB know. Onto the purple and gold scrimmage!

For the record I never said good riddance. Perhaps I don’t get weepy over a kid leaving. Support is for the program and there is absolutely nothing that I can do to change things regarding personnel. So move on. See what a new crop can bring. The measure of success for our program now is not winning seasons, it’s AE crowns and NCAA trips. Does a potential recruit care that Cremo was ROY or 6th man or set some records? Or would they be more impressed if we’d taken a couple of AE titles in that time? No, it’s not dealing with loss. It’s dealing with inevitable change which arrived sooner than we thought it would.

Fruscio just moved into a starting role. Come on...had to say it...we need some humor. And, no offense to Fruscio...he's a great kid...and a better teammate.

I am sure there a plenty of offers out there the VC doesn't have, but my targets would be: C: Atun Maričević SG: Kawsnise Wilkins PG: Banks 2 would be Juniors next year and 1 would be a sophomore so it would kind of even out the classes. All 3 would help fill positions of need. Then if we could fill the last 2 spots with grad transfers of our own, it would make the scholarships be at 3 Sr, 3 Jr, 2 Soph, 5 Fresh and a walk-on.

My last last words .... going to games for 48 seasons ...last 19 years at Division 1 ... coaching instability in the early years however our athlete - student relative stability ... this is biggest departure of established talent... remember we lost 4 players ... sitting in the stands after the Stony Brook lost ... the comments about a 22 - 10 season which did not feel like a successful season ... as we watched Cremo make his usual track across the floor to say hello to some family and friends ... .his face lacked any emotion... he looked he was saying his goodbys..we were discussing whether or not the CIT or CBI would be appropriate .... then "KF" stated we need change ... I do not think this what we were hoping for this ...in my opinion... too much Roger Wyland in the face of Will Brown and Joe Cremo ... looking for something to report on Channel 13...Joe was tired of being the face of UAlbany ... as the old saying goes "if you cannot take the heat of the kitchen ... get out" ...Will thank you for taking a chance on Cremo - Nichols ... Will Brown ... you have my support

The more I think about it...the more it looks like Nichols was leaving one way or another, I think to much has transpired behind the scenes with the tension etc. and it was well known that he would be graduating and could be a free agent. I have to believe Cremo knowing this said to himself, we lost our starting front court and starting PG plus two other transfers. I can stay and try to cobble together a run with myself, Campbell and FIVE FRESHMAN and whomever else we recruit...or I can transfer and try another route to get to the NCAA's. Regardless how talented our freshman may be on paper, they will still be freshman so it's possible he looked at the state of affairs and said to himself...

Disappointed Cremo is leaving but I'll be curious to see where he ends up and wish him well. He's a guy who basically locks himself in the gym all summer to work on his game. He likely looks around at what Huerter is doing at Maryland, Platek getting time at North Carolina, JGIII getting offers from Duke and Hameir Wright at Washington. The appeal of another season of bus rides to Orono and Durham might not seem that appealing. Again, not happy with the decision but I understand. I think most of us knew he was going to be a terrific player for us when he signed. I think the staff probably has to take a look in the mirror regarding this situation also. In the years he was here we never really managed to build around him with other quality pieces.

One thing is certain, basketball will be played.

Agreed 100% These kids where given 3 scholarship years and in my book they owe something to UA, the community, donors, teammates, coaches, and fans who made it possible. I am sorry but I am hurt especially about Joe. Logan; for those who do not remember him he came to us as Mr Ohio Basketball from a small school. He was what you might expect a decent player that had some talent, but also raw and some flaws. He would NOT have been a "player" @ any level other than low mid major. After four years (injury red shirt one year) he developed enough and transferred to Maryland where he contributed a little off the bench, but did get to the ncaa tournament. In his case, the transfer was not because of pro aspirations but because UA did not have the grad program he was after. Anyhow, Joe like Logan was a small school star with only average shooting range (he played mostly up front in high school.) IMHO, like Logan Joe would absolutely NOT have been a player @ any level above low or mid major. Do not get me wrong, I flat out LOVE the kid. By hard work, good coaching he has done very well for himself. But he will be NO more than a role player @ say Atlantic 10 and get garbage minutes @ Power 5 schools. Jamar had offers to transfer but stuck around for a couple ncca tournaments and parlayed his UA experience to years of pro basketball overseas where he has played across Europe and Australia. So have a number of other UA grads. So for those who say Joe/Nichiols deserve a chance to finish their careers up, to enhance their pro chances; I say garbage. So even if you disagree that they owe something to the parties mentioned above {and you certainly have a right to disagree }, I feel they actually would have a good or even better chance of going euro-pro by staying at UA. And lastly I agree with Dane 96 that the ncaa is making it much too easy to transfer and KILLING college sports, but that is an argument/discussion for another time.

You guys can put whatever spin you want on this but it is crushing to the program....and sends a terrible message to potential targets. Not only did we lose our top four scorers from last year (and most importantly our two highest scorers), but we lost a guy in Cremo who was the epitome of the player you want on this team - a relentless worker and a guy who seemed to bleed purple. Devastating....

I don't list david as best recruits in the last three years. He wasn't highly sought..and that's not a knock at all. We do well developing David type players. He was very , very talented. This year, he lost something. Part of me thinks the wrist injury was worse than thought...he probably should have sat some. Joe, definitely. However, Healy- highly rated; Lulka- highly rated and was going to be a four year starter prior to the surgery. He would have been without the departures. DeSouza...on paper one of the best recruits we've had. Rizzuto...legit A-Ten offers. So, does this hurt...yes. It is a sign of a team that didn't gel yes. Is it a sign of maybe not utilizing the bench this year by the coaching staff, particularly Foster. Yep. Is the program sick...way too far. Remember...this team was a a bucket from beating Louisville...close to Memphis...and a mere minute from dancing two years ago.

Look, we're all bitter about this but....the kid played his heart out while he was here, represented the school well on and off the court, did well academically and graduated early....so while we may not be happy about it, let's wish the kid well and move on. and Nichols did pretty much did the same..... Believe me, I think this sucks and puts us in a hole but remember that these are kids and perhaps we don't agree with the decision nor do we love the timing or the way this went down, but let's not hate on these kids for making a decision that they believe is in their best interests.

To be fair, scholarships are renewed year to year. If a school wanted to pull a scholarship when they want. A la Carl Ross.

Geremy*

My closing comment (I think, I reserve the right to write more later) on David and his career. I know and acknowledge that I have been critical to maybe even very critical of what I perceived as David's contribution to the team. By all accounts, he was a great student and his heart was in the right place I think. I'm not sure he always knew as a young man how to channel the frustrations and emotions of being such a critical part of this program and perhaps that came out sideways at times. He was a supreme talent, probably one of the best talents to ever come through this program and for that he deserved to be commanded. He's earned the right and the privilege to chart his own course as he has excelled in his academics. I'll remember his talent and wish him the best wherever he ends up. No sour grapes here, UA program will go on, he hopefully goes on to achieve what he wanted. Thank you David even though it was bumpy at times...when he was on...this kid WAS ON!

This is also not even comparable to the Aronhalt situation. He red shirted a year, and UA did not have a kinesiology program like MD did.

I said good riddance in my initial comment which was too harsh. But my point was if the kids want to leave and don't want to ride our their careers at UA then what else is there to say. I will hold out until Monday though as it still seems "odd". IMO, Joe is/was at UA for a reason and not at a so-called power 5 school. I personally think he is at the perfect level for him to have success. HE has trouble creating his own shot, limited foot speed, defense questionable. How is he going to have success at a level where everyone will be bigger and quicker than he is??? I just don't see it.

Fab5 in Albany... Hopefully without the extra timeout.

As of right now, the roster consists of 1 senior, 2 juniors and everyone else is a freshman.

Think of the possibilities for a new backcourt...the dynamic duo of The Karate Kid and The Bricklayer. Ok, that was bad. Sorry boys couldn’t resist. Now that I’m coming to terms with my grief it’s time for humor. Was just checking out the enemy’s board and they are looking for clarification on the UA situation from Click. On the Hellllooooo thread. Someone there disparaged Joe’s academics, apparently unable to read or research that he was named to the AE all academic team banging out a 3.36 GPA.

Memo to Campbell and CB: 500 jump shots, every day, till start of next season. Also, not that our captains were awe inspiring this season, but I guess Campbell and Clark are next up unless Fruscio is given the task as a walk-on, non-player, lol.

Good news we have one starter back........ Devonte Campbell.

16-0

My last word .... The Purple and Gold game in October 2018.... Will be interesting

???

Suero was given bad advice thinking he would be amazing at a higher level. Seems Joe may be in the same boat. He has a tough time playing defense in the AE...how will he bode in a higher conference with better offensive players? Its not like Maryland went to the tourney this year either...(example of place he may go)

No offense to Zach Bye, but I think Joe's head is in a cloud and is definitely NOT clear. IMHO Joe is getting a lot of bad advise from someone/somewhere. I simply do not see any upside for Joe to transfer out. Be a STAR @ UA for his senior year, LEAD HIS TEAM to the ncaa, sign a nice contract in Sweden, meet a nice Swedish girl, settle down, play euro-ball for as long as he wants OR transfer to Power 5, ride the bench, probably get a free ride to the ncaa by his teammates rather than being a major force getting the team there; OK Sweden and rest still in play?

Do not think the two things are equal. Grad transfers coming out of majors are usually NOT impact players @ that level. And if they are, they simply go to another major. I think Foster started only one game in three years before UA and his #s & minutes were less than small. So when as you say the other side of the rule happens, the majors take impact players from non-majors, so they can provide some depth or ride the bench? Not at all an equal exchange. For majors just swapping someone they do not want for someone they may or may not want. The mid/low majors lose someone they usually WANT or at the minimum very happy to have, for again some they might want. I am probably NOT saying this right; but it seems to me @ some level the grad transfer rule like everything else ncaa helps the rich at the expense of the poor.

My take, honestly, is they had three years and couldn’t get it done. Folded like a cheap tent in the AE playoffs. Bye, thanks, good luck and all that. Let’s bring in some new blood and shake this puppy up because the last three years have been disappointing.

LOL there goes the annual Scotia-Glenville night ...

32% at the X is downright embarassing. TD should win all of them but can our offense stop screwing around and put the ball in the back of the net especially on man-ups? Stats show 16 TOs vs Harvard and they forced only 5 of them. Our own worse enemy

Trust me I’m fine. I just find it ironic on March 29th with Easter being April 1st that this crazy news comes out that’s all. If they decide to go. Good riddance

It's done haha, sooner you accept it the better off you'll be.

Welcome to the world of D1 sports ... NCAA tournament is the only acceptable goal... after the second 0-2 start in the America East lost to Binghamton ... this is how we reached today ... we have all taken a punch in the gut

Alright, I'll chime in for real. This stinks, it does. It happens to a lot of programs, Is it good when it's both guys at the same time? Not at all. This is pretty much life as a mid major though. Losing two talented guys, especially when one is home grown hurts...no other way to put it. Obviously would've rather seen both of them win a title at UA, but they have to do what they feel is best for them and I'm happy for them if they get to move up. As far as Albany goes, we've been here before...it'll get figured out and the program will continue on as it has in the past.

Well I am in shock guys. Nichols maybe due to a possible strained relationship with CB. But Joe? Can't say we would were a favorite for AE title next year due to unknown play of new guys and the Aussies , but lead the team and finish out a great career. So 4 graduated, 2 left other day, and now these 2. So when is open try-outs? Start practicing boys. We may have a shot.

an even bigger concern - do they know something we don't? is it possible Brown is on the move?? this all smells

Not sure you mean antithesis - a person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else.

Just a thing to point out.. they are report different things for the players. David they are clear he is leaving and confirmed by his dad on Twitter. Joe.. it says Monday... so maybe it's not set in stone ..wishful thinking :). " Cremo’s release is expected to come Monday. " And I haven't seen any confirmation from Joe or his family posted like we have seen with David. https://twitter.com/chrisonorato/status/979484984506486784

I want what you are smoking. I also buy what you are selling!!!!! Positive vibes

16-0 next year

Olddog- 100% agree. We have some INSANE talent coming in...and they better just be ready to go. As a fan, I am hurt by Joe’s departure. I get it...but he won’t be anything more than a 6th-8th man on a Power 5 program. He could have played pro in Europe wherever he played his last year. He was a legacy guy...a local hero. Personally, the NCAA needs to get it’s $iena straight...work with the NBA to get rid of the one and done...and work on themselves to get the Grad Transfer rule abolished. It’s destroying low major and mid-major hoops...and the NCAA is forgetting what makes hoops so great. Wait until the not havin to sit a year rule goes into affect- forget about keeping stud players.

In Joe’s three years here he put up huge numbers no doubt, but ZERO clutch shots or free throws down the stretch late in games. I wish him well. He’ll be long gone and the UA program will continue for years. This season confirms what everyone on the board thought. A giant dumpster fire.