TheLoudestTrumpet

Though not technically AE related, NJIT just had a new events center/arena approved for $100M. Could be a precursor to joining the AE once it is built by 2017. http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2015/02/njit_plans_100m_events_center_may_help_ncaa_confer.html

 

Locked into a web contract? with who? Angelfire? altavista?

It's an embarrassment.

 

I'm sure we all all on the same page...that athletic website is horrendous...freaking joke. Can't believe someone in the athletic department approved that abortion.

 

School currently has an RFP out to design a new Athletics website. I know that they are looking to redesign the main site as well, but i believe they are independent projects, according to Benson

The trouble with the turnovers last night is that so many of them led directly to fast breaks. Pureifoy is so fast, if you are going to turn it over, lose it out of bounds, or down low. Can't lose the ball in the middle of the court up top as much as they did last night.

If SB starts hitting their three pointers this game could easily go south for us. Defense will be critical tonight. Keep them under 60 and in low 20s after the first half.

Agreed. The 3-pt defense has to be better than it was against NJIT, as if they also have Warney inside. Pick your poison.

Also as if it wasn't obvious, SEFCU renovation is at the top of the Athletic Department list. They are looking to do a good amount of fundraising privately first, then go to the State. All this info is from an NYC event with Benson this past week.

According to Mark Benson, there will be shuttle busses from the quads to SEFCU for next season.

Was at the game last night, and to say a hostile atmosphere would be an understatement. They packed a ton of people into the small gym, there was a good UA contingent at halfcourt. Refs were pretty awful, a lot of fouls went uncalled, specifically on a Ray Sanders 3 where he was knocked to the ground as he released. Great to see Hooley get back at it, sat in front of Emma and Jeff, glad they got to be there for Peter. One thing though,is that Coach Brown really has no confidential in anyone else handling PG duties aside from Evan. Wheeler played point twice and turned it over both times. Maybe Peter can spell him a bit. Otherwise, INTENSE game and a good win.

At an event last night, Mark Benson addressed the issues with the name, and it appears as if this will be more of a marketing effort to solidify an identity and reduce the stratification of Albany State, SUNY Albany, UAlbany, University at Albany, Albany, etc, rather than reinvent the school's name. There was also some discussion about modernizing the logo, possibly emphasizing the Great Dane a bit more.

 

I was looking at Verbal commits today and it has Albany at -1 for scholarships available for next year. I seem to remember someone saying that Cremo is paying his own way in 2015. Is this confirmed or is it because of something I fear... The team is planning for a Peter Hooley graduation and him not playing his last year of eligibility?

Was thinking that too, when hooley was away I wondered if he'd be back for his redshirt senior year as he is graduating this spring.

 

There always seems to be some attrition from Coach Brown's recruiting classes, so I wouldn't be surprised to see a few departures from the most recent class. Mike Wells hasn't played a lick and I don't even think I have heard his name mentioned all year. Also in terms of other graduating players, Ede was a pretty big flop, eh?

According to Will Brown on Twitter, they just arrived in Albany

Impressive indeed. They shot 16-21 from 3 tonight.

Anyone else headed to Newark? It turns out I have to be out there for work Friday anyway, which makes things a bit easier. Should be fun, nice to have Pete back.

As a former MS/HS band geek, the band is definitely rockin this year. Ever since the Marching Band got created, the pep band has stepped their game up. Are these the same kids or different kids from the Marching Band?

About half the band is made up of who was there last year, but it seems to have doubled with new students over winter break. So most of the new members were not in marching band during the fall, which could be awesome if they stick around and come back for next football season. The band is also starting to table and work the open houses to drive recruitment, as well as sending out information to high schools across NYS.

Great crowd tonight. The suspense kept most of them there late. Hopefully they'll be back.

 

Slick new shirts on the pep band. I have to admit, I'm not hippie but I like the tie-dyed stuff better. Sound was great.

 

We're not playing at a high level for 40 minutes but getting away with it for now.

 

A few games ago we were worried that only four guys scored. Tonight eight guys played and all of them scored and all of them grabbed at least one rebound.

 

We're 11-0 and I'm cranky about a 10 point win in front of a sell-out crowd. That's actually a pretty good place to be.

The shirts are definitely a work in progress. Being sent back to have some UAlbany logos and such embroidered, as they were just plain polos. Having been up with the band Saturday, they are as loud as ever, best sounding drums we might have ever had. And still ruthless to opposing teams (especially #23 after he nullified the Lowell and-1, followed by committing a charge on his next dunk attempt). Really nice to be back at SEFCU.

Well I am not sure that Coach Abe had expected Megan to leave, which would have made 11. They also had a player redshirting to start the season, Bridget Murphy, but she left the program a few games in.

 

 

 

 

How was the crowd this evenin. Didnt get a chance to watch.

Box score was only 2712

What does this team have to do to draw!

 

 

Only 2712? Looked like at least 3000. It was nice and loud for much of the 2nd half (game was tight).

I thought 2700 might be generous, though more accurate than the 5400 Siena reported for 300 actually showing up Monday. I know there were quite a few season ticket holders around me who didn't show - hangover from Tuesday's storm? At least the student turnout was better.

 

It looks like the athletic department is investing more in props for students. I saw a number of big heads at the game, and in years past the band has gone about getting those. The ones in the arena last night had Dane Ger Zone on the back, which makes me think the athletic department put them together. Also, I'd reiterate that the pep band has NEVER been as big as it is now. It would be tough to find that much tie dye in one concentrated place anywhere outside of the 90's!

 

 

I believe the Daneger Zone thing is from the Alumni Association instead of Athletics.

 

Interesting. Still a plus though. I also just found out from some insiders that you will not be seeing the Pep Band in tie dye for much longer. New polo shirts coming in, possibly for BPG. Long live the tie dye though!

 

 

How was the crowd this evenin. Didnt get a chance to watch.

Box score was only 2712

What does this team have to do to draw!

 

 

Only 2712? Looked like at least 3000. It was nice and loud for much of the 2nd half (game was tight).

I thought 2700 might be generous, though more accurate than the 5400 Siena reported for 300 actually showing up Monday. I know there were quite a few season ticket holders around me who didn't show - hangover from Tuesday's storm? At least the student turnout was better.

 

It looks like the athletic department is investing more in props for students. I saw a number of big heads at the game, and in years past the band has gone about getting those. The ones in the arena last night had Dane Ger Zone on the back, which makes me think the athletic department put them together. Also, I'd reiterate that the pep band has NEVER been as big as it is now. It would be tough to find that much tie dye in one concentrated place anywhere outside of the 90's!

Chance to extend this streak to 11. Lowell's best player Thomas is out. We've been catching some breaks with teams best guys being out the past three games, but if any team deserves a break its UA.

 

Magic number 4.

Well, to be fair, our best guy has been out for the last 5+ games as well.

They have to work out a better offense against the zone, once they were up 14 they went to "Prevent" mode. Ball was not moving quickly enough, keyed in on Sam a bit too much which UNH was prepared for. Other than that, tough missing those four FT's towards the end, but Baker really came up clutch with his two makes. This UNH team is going to be one tough out come tourney time.

On another note, it seems the team is not as comfortable at home as they are on the road for some reason. Maybe due to playing so many road games and not really establishing a home court identity, I am not sure. Also, Hooley is always the one guy who amps up the crowd at SEFCU, I don't think there is anyone else on the team that plays with the emotion that he does. When he gets back and sinks that first 3, the place is going to go nuts.

Good bounce-back win for the women as well. Coach Abe said in her postgame interview that their offense has really been coming down to what Tate and Saunders can do. With Shereesha being a proven monster down low, their inconsistency has been apparent, but if they can figure out a way to keep their numbers up, they should be okay.

I was already planning on going to the NJIT game, but now it should be something special. Would be great to have a nice UAlbany presence there.

If I remember correctly, after losing at home vs. Stony Brook last year, Coach Abe came out with an entirely different game plan against them in the tournament. I have confidence that they can figure something out, but I agree that Maine is a solid team, especially on the defensive end. UA is going to need strong games from Tate and Saunders (which they have shown to be more than capable of) to draw some defenders from Sherresha going forward. The occasional 3 would help as well.

More unfortunate news in the AE, one of Vermont's recruits for next season was in a bad car accident. http://www.onebidwonders.com/2015/02/02/vermont-commit-josh-speidel-critical-condition-following-car-accident/

Feel so terrible. Such a great guy, has such a strong family. Can't imagine what they are going through right now, but I am glad Peter was there to be with his mom and his family.

 

CB is going to have to find some rest for these guys. Starters pulling huge minutes...Singletary played all 40 last night.

 

With any luck they can have a little breathing room at Maine and run Greene for a bit.

Doesn't seem so long ago that people were complaining that Will needed to shorten his bench and settle into an 8-man rotation.

 

OK that was probably during one of the 7-win seasons so maybe it was that long ago.

 

Box score says attendance was only 2,369 for their biggest game of the year so far. If we beat Maine I wonder how UA will draw with the next home game against UNH.

The place looked pretty full. Maybe they couldn't fit more people in because everybody was wearing their puffy coats.

Greene needs to get some reps, because as much as WB likes to go with a 7-8 guys, I think the bench has enough depth where he doesn't really have to. Also, its pretty crazy that UA only had four players make a basket: Singletary, Sanders, Mike and Sam.

The women only had four players score against Hartford on Sunday. Scoring wasn't as balanced though.

 

That is true. Richards and Tate (and on occasion Saunders) have been the main scorers on that squad. They seem to have gotten past their early season bumps pretty well.

I for one can't wait for Big Purple Growl. Place should be rockin, will be my first trip up to SEFCU this year. Then I'll be at the NJIT game the next Friday, which should be interesting. Also, I am proud to see some of the pictures of the band from the last home game. Has to be the most people they've ever had, and you can count on one more being with them for BPG.