Dane Pound

Field tilts in Danes' favor

Danes dogged in home opener-TU Don't get the parade permit yet-TU(Ettkin)

Agree with you McFan that Zoellner was more effective in the second half. Other than that and maybe the play of Iati there weren't any positives. It was only one game so I'm not going to jump off any bridges but that was ugly as hell.

Hopefully start by outdrawing the Patroons home opener (2850) tonight and go from there for the rest of the season. More people should mean more noise and more fun. Especially this year when there are enough players to press and run and get the crowd into it.

Lillis eager to get going-TU

Great way to start the season. Niagara was picked to finish 6th by the coaches in the MAAC this year-Siena was picked 3rd. I couldn't find a box score for this game but it sounded like the scoring was more balanced than I would have suspected. Interesting they list Joy Sterling as a guard but she had 12 rebounds-I'm guessing she must have played PF. Glad the WCDB guys are doing the Siena game on Weds. As we do every year we have a bunch of family staying with us that night (we need to get a smaller house.) It will pain me to miss that game but I think I would be killed if I tried to sneak out that night to go to the game. I'm not suggesting a conspiracy but you'd think that someone could work out a better night for this game. I doubt I'm the only one who has problems with it.

That was rough. Really a tough way for the senior class who helped take the program to this level to go out. Credit to SBU for scouting Albany and playing with a lot of poise. They certainly saved their best match of the year for the right time, damn them.

That's two ranked opponents in a row for Florida. I can't believe I'm saying this but this weekend I'm actually looking forward to Monday.

I was thinking when I read the article that Brown generally hasn't picked one guy out of a recruiting class over the others as a prized recruit. I'm taking that as a great sign and as Olddog said I don't think he's overhyping him, just excited about coaching him. I still will look more at the returning guys than the freshman next year but if Gifford can come in and play right away then that's fantastic.

Good story in today's TU about Ashlee Reed. Dane battles pain-TU Great to see that three of Albany's six all-conference selections will be back next year. I realize Rico is a serving specialist but it's surprising to me that as a senior she didn't even get an honorable mention after leading the conference in aces.

Story in today's TU about Antione starting at the PG spot for the Patroons. Pair in another remake-TU

Thanks for your explanation, GODANESGO. It makes sense. 10441[/snapback] Yup, that's me being a cryptofacist. Certain anatomical parts and profanities get subsituted with "siena" or "sienafan." Usually kind of fun but occaisional certain names like Vitale's first name get caught in the filter. I wish I would have watched the Syracuse game now. I saw the first one they did for Alabama A+M's biggest moment. I was wondering what they would have picked for Albany's. I assumed it would be the biggest DI moment-maybe the win over Vermont at the BPG a few years ago. BTW either Florida is better than advertised or Wake Forest isn't #18 in the country. The Gators looked pretty good last night and no wonder we had trouble with their front court. They're big and athletic and deep.

Reid Anderson(#11) 6'5 Guard/Forward St. Edward Lakewood, Ohio COMMITMENT UPDATE: Ohio Sleeper Off The Board A Great Day For The Great Danes! Reid Andersen, a 6’5 sr. wing, from Lakewood (OH) St. Edward committed to Albany University this past weekend. Andersen, who is PrepSpotlight.com’s No. 4 wing forward and No. 28 overall prospect in the Class of 2006, chose the Great Danes over Vermont, Wright State and Morehead State. “Reid is probably the biggest sleeper in the 2006 class,” said Prep Spotlight Vice President, John Stovall. “He has been growing -- he was 6'2 as a sophomore -- and improving by leaps and bounds over the past two years.” Carrying the label of “biggest sleeper” in the state seems like it’s a cliché, but there’s a definite reason that Andersen deserves it. “He did not play with one of the shoe company sponsored AAU teams this past summer,” Stovall explained. “Therefore he was a little under the radar. He is a skilled wing that can score off the bounce getting to the rim or light you up from deep.” Look for Andersen to be one of the leaders for a strong St. Edward team this winter along with super soph, 6-foot-7 Delvon Roe, who is on the short list of most every high-major in the Midwest. Reid is a steal for Albany and Coach Will Brown. Congratulations to Coach Brown and the staff. Anderson will attend Albany St. Edward All-Northeast Lakes District senior guard Reid Anderson has accepted a basketball scholarship from the University of Albany, an NCAA Division I school in Albany, N.Y. Anderson will sign a national letter of intent with the Great Danes next month during the NCAA's early signing period. A National Merit student, Anderson plans to major in pre-med and/or business. Regarded as one of the premier two guards in Northeast Ohio, the 6-5 Anderson averaged nearly 16 points a game last season and grabbed six rebounds a game. Before deciding on Albany, he considered scholarship offers from Vermont and Morehead State in Kentucky.

Today's story said Jamar had returned to practice which hopefully is a good sign for him playing next week. Curious about Lou. Other than before the exhibition game I haven't seen anything about an injury. Certainly didn't seem like himself in Florida at least scoring-wise.

It'll be interested to see if they can shake off last weeks disappointing loss. If they can it looks like a winnable game. Fordham can't be in a much better state after getting pounded last week by Lehigh. I don't know much about Fordham this year other than Dusequense handled them pretty easily earlier in the season.

From his hometown paper Dane deal Rock Bridge senior Brett Gifford gestures to friends and family after signing a letter of intent to play basketball for the Division I University of Albany Great Danes yesterday.

During the BU-Duke game last night both Bilas and McDonough were impressed by BU. Bilas said he was surprised Albany was picked by the coaches to win the AE. That was echoed later by Steve Lavin on College Basketball Tonight or whatever they call it. It wasn't in the greatest context in the world but was great to hear the AE and Albany discussed on ESPN. Hopefully it builds more excitement for the home opener.

Brett Gifford Team Preview

in beating CCSU. Albany's game was painful to listen to. A made extra point would have won the game or a field goal that was missed when it was tied 13-13. Every chance to win that game and it didn't happen.

This was posted on the AE board. Albany mentioned in an ESPN story about possible Cinderellas. More hype but it's fun to read.Cinderella stories come from unexpected places-ESPN Hopefully the rest does Jamar well. Saw Lillis at the volleyball game last night and he appeared to be walking without the boot he's been wearing. Also saw "Q" and Antione Johnson at the game. I'm guessing they are still in line for a roster spot with the Patroons.

Not exactly on-topic but a couple of stories about today's game. One from NJ that Monmouth's wide reciever is being scouted by the NFL. Crowning achievement awaits-Newsday Austin hoping his consistency will lead to a job in the NFL-Asbury Park Press Win eases pain of Hawks' disappointing season-Asbury Park Press

Story in today's TU about the Florida tournament and the impressions that were made. Both Jamar's and Lou's injuries were mentioned but nothing about if either will miss time or not. Hopefully that means they won't. Promising showing for Danes-TU

KingDane I generally feel the same way after a loss. I hope the opposing team gets smoked in their next game. For purposes of our RPI though I hope they do well this year-looks better for us. For those who were at the game I'm curious how Jordan looked. He didn't seem to play much last night and seemed unusually quiet through the tournament. Wondering how much that ankle injury is bothering him. Hopefully he gets back to full health with the next week or so off.

Interesting they have Stony Brook picked so high (4th). They have been all over the place in the preseason rankings.

Volleyball Championship Picture Comes Into Focus. Albany (9-1 America East), Binghamton (9-2) and Maine (7-3) have all clinched berths to the 2005 America East Volleyball Championship. The Great Danes control their own destiny entering the final weekend of the season as they look to host and win their second-straight league championship. With one victory in their final two matches, the Great Danes will clinch the No. 1 seed and the right to host the conference championship as well as at least a share of the regular-season title. Albany hosts Maine on Friday at 7 p.m. and then travels to Hartford (0-10) on Sunday at 2 p.m. Albany, Maine and Binghamton can all finish as high as first and as low as third in the conference standings depending on the outcome of this weekend's matches. Stony Brook (4-6) and New Hampshire (4-7) are fighting for the final spot in the four-team tournament. The two square off on Friday at 7 p.m. in Durham, N.H., with the winner earning that coveted playoff berth. UMBC (3-7) and Hartford have been eliminated from post-season contention. For the latest information regarding the 2005 America East Volleyball Championship and playoff scenarios, stay tuned to AmericaEast.com throughout the weekend. The University at Albany won its first-ever league title as the Great Danes hosted the 2004 America East Volleyball Championship.