godanesgo99

Agreed and understood on the rules and multiple athletic departments and why it hasn't happened yet, but it just seems like such a no brainier to do and would help out schools and draw a lot of fans. With conference realignment and other rule changes happening rapidly in the NCAA I don't see any issues with conference members in the same pre-season MTE as long as they couldn't meet until a championship game. Who would care about SOS? Maybe Syracuse? But honestly this would probably make their OOC schedule harder as they always play multiple low major schools every year to have a great record going into January. Again, just a pipe dream of mine that I wish someone with the ability to set it up would set it up. Yes there are multiple schools and ADs involved, but if it's limited to 16 teams, then you market it as only the first 16 to sign up get in. As long as you had buyin from St. Johns and Syracuse, getting 16 shouldn't be hard. Then you have two weekends of games set regionally.

I'm still waiting for someone to start a Pre-Season NYS Basketball Tournament, like the preseason NIT or something like that.... 23 Division 1 Basketball Teams in NYS NYC/Long Island Columbia Fordham Hofstra LIU Manhattan St Francis St Johns SBU Wagner Upstate / East / Albany Iona Marist Siena UA West Point Upstate / Central / Syracuse Colgate Cornell Binghamton Syracuse Lemoyne (new to D1) Upstate / West / Buffalo Canisius Niagara St. Bonaventure UB Seems like it would be a no-brainer to run - gets everyone some easy to schedule OOC games for the preseason and have some in-state rivalries created. Have a 4 sites with games on Friday/Sat/Sun to narrow the field down to 4, then a championship weekend rotating around the state each year for the semi's on Friday and Championship on Sunday (Buffalo year 1, NYC Year 2, Syracuse Year 3, Albany year 4). Could pretty easily schedule brackets so people in the same conference could only meet in a championship game, and could have multiple consolation games to help fill out everyone's schedule. If they wanted to make it 32 teams to add a weekend or make even brackets you could easily add some D2 schools or some of the better D3 basketball programs / SUNY Schools.

I could swear I read it's a MTE playing both teams home and away. I could be wrong and it could just be one game against each. Edit: it's probably just home against one and away against one.

So we have the following for an OOC Schedule announced so far: 11/6 @ UMass 11/26 @ Siena TBD Home Vs. Quinnipiac TBD @ Quinnipiac TBD Home Vs. Army TBD @ Army 12/16 @ Drexel

Awesome. That's what I was hoping for. I think I even said I was hoping he would be another "Sir Buckets" in the post where I pointed out his highlight tape only showed him taking one three pointer and it was almost at the end. Absolutely love that all it showed was him attacking and getting to the rim! Let's get back to making more free throws than our opponents attempt!

If I remember correctly, isn't this a once every 4 years thing schools do? I think the team did Canada in the 19-20 season, which would mean the team is eligible for that again. Anyone know if any plans for that type of trip are in the world for if these upcoming seasons? They were always fun to follow in the summer

FYI - You are missing Matulu.... https://ualbanysports.com/news/2023/5/10/mens-basketball-mens-basketball-adds-zach-matulu-as-preferred-walk-on.aspx

Talk about refreshing. His sophomore highlight real only shows him shooting 1 three-pointer and it's two minutes into the video. He feels like a banger that wants to get to the rim and not settle for the outside shot. Everyone loves the long ball, but the days of UA glory were based on the team making more free throws than the opponents attempted. Having a consistent drive to the hole guy opens up more of the outside shot that todays players have fallen in love with. Would love to see him become the next "Sir Buckets" in the Travis Charles mold. The real question is can he defend? Who will be the defensive masters on this team? I really hoped we would have picked up a pass first floor general with the last spot, but if they can stay healthy, I am sure Amica/Little/Jackson could fill that role. FYI: This should only be the last spot of Jackson got a scholarship or if Hutch is returning. I am assuming Jackson Got a ship based on conversation on the AE board, which is awesome for him and well-deserved.

I'm all for freak athletes, but we have a few of those. Still need a floor general to control the pace. Both on offense and defense.

As seen on the AE Board: Albany F Tairi Ketner has entered the transfer portal. http://verbalcommits.com/players/tairi-ketner I haven't paid attention to the football team as I have lost all interest (and cancelled my season seats) with them being so terrible for so long. Does this mean he didn't make that team?

I too agree he deserves a scholarship. Thrown into it or not, he started almost every conference game, and after Hutch: he was probably the hardest working "hustle" guy on the team, sacrificing his body to get the play done. Not even mentioning the hard foul on Finn Sullivan that was my favorite play of the year. That alone deserves recognition with a scholarship. His stats aren't great when you look at the season as a whole, but remember he was a Freshman and it takes time to get it. If you look at the conference only stats, a better picture emerges: Conference Only: Games/Starts: 16/15 - 26.8 minutes per game - 5.9 points per game 50.7% Field Goal Percentage, 33.3% from 3, 76.4% from the freethrow line 4.5 Rebounds per Game (1.1 Offensive, 3.4 Defensive) 1.6 Assists per Game / 1.5 Turnovers per game - this is the area that needs the most work 0.8 Steals per game / 0.3 Blocks per game Those stats are pretty decent for a Freshman. I'd argue that he should have been in the conversation for making the all-rookie team with those conference numbers. I know nothing about his family financial situation, and I am not going to assume anything, but I know there are a lot of kids that qualify for the Empire program, which means he might be getting Tuition free already, so a scholarship may not provide that much benefit. Sometimes it could be the case of him agreeing to stay on as a PWO so that the team would have another scholarship to use to improve.

Well that sucks, as a lot people thought he could be a beast on day 1 and keep the UA AE ROY streak going. That said, I think I was the first to post the punch on the board, and frankly the program doesn't need another potential problem child considering all goings on still unresolved. Probably for the best. Good luck to him wherever he lands. This means we have 1 confirmed spot, and a couple spots that may or may not be open depending on things that I don't think have been officially announced (Jackson/Hutch).

Wonder why the exodus? Admittedly, I only follow the ladies a little. I root for them and have gone to a few games, but I don't know the team well. Haney, Worth, and Heeps seem like pretty big pieces, and I though Sanford was supposed to be an up and coming rotation player. Anyone know if this is just the modern reality? Players looking to either move up for a bigger program or down for playing time?

The central Michigan one was reported today. At least thats when the tweet quoted was from.

This one might be the best target if he hasn't committed anywhere else yet. Anyone on an all-defensive team is needed in the program!

So by my count, this is a full roster if either Hutch stays or Jackson gets a scholarship. If neither of those things happen there is still an open spot. The other big question is Ketner going to return after playing football? If he does, could he use a football scholarship instead of a basketball scholarship? If either of those things happen there could be another spot as well. Seems like there could be anywhere from 0 to 2 open slots left. While I love rooting for a low/mid major team, I do wish there was more local media coverage and more communication from the program giving us info and stuff to follow.

We spoke about Amare a week or so ago. I think this announcement is because of the official signing. Sebastian is just verbal at the moment.

Not to beat a dead horse, but Hutch and Amica are the last two connections to Will Brown. One of our complaints about the DK era is the lack of All-Academic team players. Let's see what next year brings. Congrats Hutch! Great honor!!

We needed some form of a coaching change anyway. I met Jordan once and he seemed like a good dude, but we honestly needed to add a real X's and O's guy on the bench anyway. UA only has so much budget, so they can't go around adding bodies without someone leaving. Best of luck to him at Temple. Let's hope this is an opportunity for the team to bring in an assistant that can help. Would love to see a hot shot young guy looking to break into the college game or a JUCO/ D3/ even High School guy that needs an in, but has an innovative playbook or offensive/defensive scheme to employ. I know the team didn't have a true point guard with the injuries, but it didn't feel like the team had a real game plan that maximized their talent. Actually if they went that route, they might even be able to hire two as I'm sure they could be had cheaper or even part time.

I know he was forced into it, but kid started almost every conference game, and showed more hustle than almost any player I've seen in years of following the team. If he will stay with the team as a PWO, then that is awesome, but I like the energy he brings, and I've give him a ship before watching him transfer somewhere. He just watched his brother win a national championship, and I am sure he is motivated to improve and play on a tournament bound team. Hopefully he can achieve that here.

Anyone know if Hutch is coming back for his last year of eligibility? Anyone know if Jackson is returning and if he is getting a scholarship? Anyone know if Ketner is returning to the team, or just moving to Football full-time? Those questions will determine if the team is set for next year, or if we have two more scholarships remaining. Returning Scholarships: Beagle, Neely, Little, Amica, Reddish Incoming Freshman: Robinson, Adnan, Margoupis Incoming Transfers: Betram, Marshall That's 10 Scholarships of 13 maximum Questions: Jackson - did he get a scholarship or will he continue as a PWO? Ketner - Returning to the Basketball team after playing football? Hutchinson - Graduating with a year of eligibility remaining. Haven't seen his name entering into the portal

Looks like he played a bunch early in the season then his role diminished as the season went on. That is what concerns me the most. YouTube shows a bunch of videos about how talented of a scorer he is. That's all well and good, but we had that in Davis this year. Can he play D? What happened for him to fall out of the rotation at Hofstra. A team in a league that's higher, but not much higher. Top AE teams can compete in the CAA every year, the difference there is the #8 team in the CAA might be #3 in the AE. Did he get hurt? Couldn't get the program they run? Didn't play D? From what I see, this is another high ceiling athlete being added to the team, which is awesome and I love it, but I agree with Dane96. We need a real PG. Not necessarily a scorer, but one that makes everyone around them better. I like the front court with Beagle, Neely, Robinson, and Margoupis. Yes, another big banger would be nice, but not needed as much as someone who will lead the team on the floor. No offense to Amica, Little, or Jackson intended with this. Any of those three could be that guy, but injury history and some other items have led us to not be confident that they are the player for that role yet.

Don't know much about him, but there is this...