reeder

Iati is having a great year, but he is not a point guard. He's a two that happens to be 5'8" and forced to be the point. His challenge for next year is to evolve into more of a true point as he will be surrounded by scorers. This is the challenge that the program will have - they have players like Iati, Levine and Wilson that have been scorers because no one else can score but as the team becomes more complete next year they are going to have to morph into their roles. I believe that will be the greatest test of Brown's coaching ability.

1. Where is Hughes? At what point is he no longer a member of the team? 2. What is the worst record a division 1 team has ever had? 3. What is the biggest turnaround in wins from one season to the next? 4. Time Warner cable is going to carry three more games - the good news is that capital district sports fans will see UA, the bad news is that they will probably not look very good and that won't turn into bodies in the RACC next year. 5. What's up with Dyson? - I saw the posts about the flu, but his stats over the last year look about the same - 6 to 10 points per game. I know the articles say double double, but I haven't that looking at last year's box scores (although they don't show rebounds, he rarely scored double digit points). 6. I bet if Jordan and Zoellner were available with a healthy Wilson, UA would be a .500 team.

I wouldn't be surprised if UA lost all of their remaining games - they may be able to get one or two at the RACC but that will be the upside. I see UA with 4 wins this year - They may be able to beat Stony Brook and New Hampshire at home.

How much of Pipikis's continued development is due to practicing against a 7' Zoellner everyday? If Pipikis continues to develop and if Hughes has just some talent, UA should continue to be competitive at the RACC.

3/4 from the field in his last game for 6 points. I have posted some of the comments from the Iowa Preps board. SMwjb user profile Post #155 Brian Lillis of Dowling Reply -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Is he being wasted at the Point or is he overrated?? Posted on 12/18 4:20 PM | IP: 24.194.6.48 Stu Pidasso 1 user profile Post #147 Re: Brian Lillis of Dowling Reply -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A lot of people dont know what Brian is going through, He is playing on a bad knee where he should probably have sugery. He isn't a true point gaurd, and is trying to learn how to go from being a go to guy to a distributer, but at the same time he still has to get some good numbers for them to be successful. So I dont believe he is overrated at all but is trying to learn how to play a differnt position, and on a bad knee Posted on 12/18 6:38 PM | IP: 12.215.194.89 nolookpass 16 user profile a confessed stranger and pilgrim HawkeyeReport.com Post #3375 hes a good player Reply -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- playing out of position. But hes maybe the biggest whiner I have seen in some time. Posted on 12/18 6:49 PM | IP: 12.216.130.192 golfer04 user profile CycloneReport.com Post #312 Re: hes a good player Reply -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- He may be playing our of position, but his numbers are piss poor! If he really is hurt, then have the operation done and forget this year. He already signed with Albany so just get ready for next year. Posted on 12/19 1:55 PM | IP: 12.219.231.205

Lillis only had 4 points in his game last week. Not sure how he's recovering from the knee surgery.

Zoellner will be better - especially relative to the America East. Just being 4 or 5 inches taller and 30 pounds heavier than his opponents will make him a better player. He can just stand there with his hands extended and force the other players to alter their shots.

Don't know where he is - guess is he withdrew for the semester and will return next semester, but redshirt him. 1. The team will probably not be any better with him. 2. Probably won't get many minutes as he will probably be out of shape and will have to "become a part of the team" 3. He'll have three years of eligibility remaining. That will take a little pressure off in recruiting as it is so difficult to get big men at this level. 4. He obviously had serious family issues - so he should take the time to get into school and ensure that he graduates.

Patch, 1. Those stats were without Hutcheson who came back off the bench yesterday. I hope Learn can keep posting those numbers - she and Hutcheson would be a great combination. 2. I think McGinley made it difficult for a lot of the other players to realize their potential a year ago. She was going to shoot no matter what.

TU article about RPI upgrading facilities and what they saw at St. John's in their DIII semi final game at St. John's. RPI installing turf field for football practice and other varsity teams to play on. How much analysis and research does UA have to go through to get football facilities comparable to those of High Schools and DIII facilities? UA is competiting for the HS athlete not just with other mid-majors, but also Union and RPI and the facilities are inferior (except for the new locker room).

That is impressive. I am a little concerned about Dyson. THe Deleware online website had stats for many of his games last year - of the 7 or 8 that were there, he only scored in double digits once. Not good for a 6'9" player. That said, he may have grabbed a lot of boards which will definitely help UA quite a bit.

I actually subscribe to the online Gazette - I started a couple of months ago. It's a little pricy, but it does provide good coverage of UA sports. I would read it last year when it was free, but there always seemed to be better articles in the print edition. For me, it works because I don't have access to much other info about UA athletics. I do look at the TU sight from time to time, but just find the info in the Gazette better.

They were up 14 at the half. let's hope he didn't play much in the second half. A 6'9" center should have more that 6 points. The statline didn't show rebounds, maybe he had a lot of boards

UA was probably just a field goal from a mid major national championship (atleast a high ranking and the ECAC bowl). They missed the field goal against Monmouth. Had they won that game, they would have won the NEC and the ECAC bowl against Duquesne.

1. How hard is it going to be for Brown to manage expectations for playing time next year - I wonder how many kids we'll lose? 2. I think the kids that are coming into the program next year would be in the upper echelon of the AE by themselves. Bauman and Jordan at the guards, Zollner in the middle with Dyson and Lillis at the forwards - you get Brent Wilson off the bench to back up the 4 and 5. 3. UA will beat Siena - if not next year, then the year after. That win will increase local fan support and ensure 1,500 to 2,000 per game. 4. Wyatt may not get any playing time next year - he'll be at the very end of the bench. 5. How upset must St. Hillaire be? - he's a walk on and Wyatt and Pipikis have scholarships. I'm sure he gets a good financial aid package, but it's the principle. 6. Which UA players that are currently on scholarship would not get division 1 scholarships today? I think Pipikis and Wyatt. 7. UA will have one of the most improved records next year. I think we can expect 6 wins this year and atleast 16 next year for a 10 game improvement. 8. Why can't UA improve the website to have player profiles and game pictures - it doesn't cost much and it would really make the fans feel closer to the team.

A few thoughts on Wilson: 1. Didn't Wilson hurt his knee over the summer when he missed the Empire State Games? 2. How bad must the Albany Orthopedic Surgeon and Jack feel that they let Wilson play against Colgate? 3. A redshirt would actually work well - give him an improved chance of graduating also an increased chance at making the tournament.

"The coach up there (Will Brown) talked to me and said if I don't get to start, I may average 20 minutes a game, and I'll take that," Bauman said. "I want to go in there and show I can play." Where is Bauman going to get 20 minutes? I think UA is going to have a challenge getting Iati, Jordan and Wilson enough minutes - not to mention Lillis who will get some time at the 2.

It's all about the $$. I read where Oakland in Michigan is getting upwards of $50k to play at Cincinnatti, UA gets about $25k for Pitt. Initially, I didn't think it was a good idea as it was pretty much a guaranteed loss, but I looked at the numbers closer. For the big schools, it's no big deal because it's another home game - Pitt drew over 8k fans at $10 each. They can pay UA, cover their fixed costs and still make a good profit (also they don't have $ associated with travel for a road game). So for them it's a huge win. For Albany, think of what $25k means - 50 new supporters donating $500 each to the athletic program - 4000 paid attendance at the RACC (would be about 5000 total as students don't pay - that is about another BPG without the costs - 30 recruiting trips if you assume $800 per trip (air, car, hotel...) - 2 full scholarships for football for 1 year - total annual cost is about $13k for instate residents Also, it gives Brown a chance to chat up his colleagues and maybe find another 7' center that wants to transfer. It also gives Brown the opportunity to impress someone enough to play UA at the RACC one day and get a big crowd out to support the program. Lastly, one day UA will win that game - Like Vermont vs. UCLA. When that happens, you'll get supporters coming from everywhere. Yes, it's good for the kids to play big time opponents, but it's about the $$$.

Remember, Knotts was a great long range shooter in HS. He hasn't really gotten untracked at UA yet, but 3 for 8 from 3 point land against Pitt is impressive. His challenge is that UA needs him to play in the post and he is much more comfortable on the outside.

I know this is speculation, but assuming Iati, Wilson and Jordan are all healthy next year, which two start? Wilson played the point in HS, but struggled at the point last year. Iati is the point this year, but a point has to think pass first and shoot second - Iati is a shooter. Jordan was rookie of the year in the MAAC and has amazing talent. My thought is Iati and Wilson with Jordan coming off the bench. There is no way that Brown can start Iati and Jordan, given what Wilson means to the program - starting Wilson and Jordan hurts as neither one is a great three point shooter.

Don't want to beat a horse, but where is this guy? It is too late to withdraw for the semester - that line was late October.

I always enjoy going to games early as you can see the players and coaches interact and watch how they prepare for the game. That said, I went to 2 women's games last year (not counting Siena as I wasn't close enough to watch the interactions. Coach Patterson had almost no interaction with her players - either before the game or during the game. I posted this at the time on the old board, but I was shocked. The only interactions that I recall were during timeouts and that wasn't one on one coaching - that was drawing up a play. Not sure what that means, but I have gone to many games at all levels of play and I don't recall experiencing that before.

UA definitely needs a QB that can read defense, go through the progressions and complete passes. That said, the UA offense is so complexed, it will be difficult for a new player to pick it up. I think we'll have Sciarra next year as a senior and Delgado the following year (if he decides to stay for a fifth year).

Let's hope that he returns. It has been almost a month (based on the date of the notice) - it will be difficult to keep up academically if he has not returned to Albany.

Johnson should be happy to get any minutes. As a walk on at most schools, you're a practice player. He won't get any minutes next year when Jordan is available along with the freshment. St. Hillaire is getting minutes as a walk on and appeared to have played well vs. Siena and over the summer - he may get minutes next year, but not as many as he'll get this year especially with the uncertainty surrounding when Hughes will return. Regarding Pittsburgh, UA needs to avoid injuries, the remaining games are games that they have a legitimate shot at winning. Let's not ruin that chance by having a nother injury. Take the guarantee and get back to ALbany.