cwdickens

UALBANY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Danes look to avenge loss UAlbany gets another crack at Cornell after losing last year’s game By Abigail Rubel UAlbany vs. Cornell ■› When: 7 p.m. Saturday ■› Where: Hudson Valley Community College, Troy ■› Stream: ESPN3 Jim Franco / Times Union UAlbany sophomore Freja Werth leads the team in rebounds at 5.8 per game and is third in scoring at 9.8 points per game. ALBANY — Last year’s loss to Cornell isn’t one the University at Albany women’s basketball team is going to forget any time soon. In a game featuring 11 lead changes and five ties, the Great Danes lost 47-46 on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer. “It was a tough ending last year, and I blame myself. I had a timeout, we had a foul to give, and you look back, just like you ask your players to look back and evaluate themselves,” UAlbany coach Colleen Mullen said. UAlbany (4-4) gets another crack at the Big Red (4-4) at 7 p.m. Saturday at Hudson Valley Community College, its last home game before the start of America East play. Though the Great Danes are trying to leave the loss last season behind them, “it’s also one of those games that you remember very clearly, and when you have the same group, basically, it’s very much a revenge game for everyone. So it’s more of an excitement than anything else,” senior forward Helene Haegerstrand said. Haegerstrand, who missed the first four games of the season with an injury, scored a season-high 19 points in the Great Danes’ last outing at Canisius. After trailing by 10 early in the third period, UAlbany rallied for a 59-48 win to end a four-game losing streak. “In halftime, we were able to reset and just get back to what we wanted to do, and then just came out with energy, do our thing, and we came away with the win,” said fifth-year guard Ellen Hahne, who added 13 points. “It was definitely a different feeling. It felt like we were having fun, we’re playing with each other, for each other … it felt like we were ourselves again.” Hahne is UAlbany’s leading scorer with 14.8 points per game, followed by Haegerstrand with 11.0. Sophomore guard Freja Werth is averaging 5.8 rebounds. Cornell is led by senior guard Shannon Mulroy’s 9.8 points per game, though junior guard Kaya Ingram, senior guard Ania McNicholas and freshman forward Emily Pape are all averaging just more than nine points per game. “They’re tough, they’re scrappy and you can tell by the way they execute offensively. They run a lot of sets, so you can’t defend every set, but you have to be prepared for the different actions,” Mullen said. The Great Danes will try to shut down the Big Red inside and limit them to perimeter shots; Cornell shoots just 21.3 percent from 3. “They’re really just trying to attack the basket, move a lot off the ball,” Hahne said. “Unlike in Canisius, where our turnovers turned into easy baskets for them, that can’t happen in this game. We have got to take care of the ball. We’ve got to finish possessions with box-outs,” Mullen said. “We got to limit them to one shot, but it’s really going to come down to how well we defend them in terms of finishing the possessions, stopping them in transition, and then on the other flip side is really not allowing them to take us out of our offensive game with changing defenses.” Mullen played under Cornell coach Dana Mitchell at the University at Rhode Island, and still counts Mitchell as a mentor. “I know she’s got a really, really great basketball mind, and she’s somebody that really strategizes and is going to have a great game plan against us,” Mullen said. UAlbany hasn’t beaten Cornell since 2009, and last season’s loss was the third straight against the Big Red. “I was very happy for her, very sad for us, but we learned a lot from that game. I got better as a coach, our players got better and ultimately I think that experience, it helped us win a championship,” Mullen said. ▶› Abigail.Rubel@timesunion.com A @abigail_rubel

Instead of waiting for Dwayne Killings develop his game time coaching skills and bring maturity to his coaching staff, there may be a solution already on campus. My thought: Allow the MBB program borrow from the WBB program a person who possesses the maturity and game time coaching skills currently lacking with the men's program; allow Gina Castelli to join the MBB coaching staff for the balance of the OCC schedule. Her resume is below: A summer 2021 hire, Gina Castelli is the Executive Coach for Program Development and Pleyer Relations. In this unique, administrative position, Castelli will be able to utilize her expertise in leadership, mentorship, and management. Her perspective and insight will help the student-athletes win on and off the court, help the coaches and staff develop, and contribute tremedously to the Great Danes' championship culture.Castelli returns to the Capital Region following an eight-year stint at Le Moyne College. She led the Dolphins to six winning seasons, including a career program-best 26 victories during the 2018-19 season. That same season the Dolphins won the NE-10 title for the first time in program history, defeating Bentley in the conference championship game. Castelli next led her team to the first two NCAA Tournament victories in program history, advancing to the East Regional Championship. Before arriving at Le Moyne, Castelli spent 22 seasons as the head coach of Siena, accumulating a program-high 336 victories. With the Saints, Castelli was named MAAC Coach of the Year five times and led Siena to seven MAAC regular-season championships and one MAAC Tournament title. Castelli coached 39 All-Conference players at Siena, including seven Players of the Year and four Rookies of the Year. She also boasted a 100% graduation rate among her student-athletes. Castelli also has stops at the University of Rhode Island and Marquette University in her career. She graduated Canisius College in 1986 with a degree in Physical Education and Athletic Training. Yes, this is outside the box however; the MBB program needs out-of-the box thinking. Gina arrival with the WBB program has in part, led to its resurgence.

Dec 3 (Sat) 7:00 PM vs Cornell Purple Out Night Troy, N.Y. McDonough Sports Complex - HVCC Live Stats Tickets History

Third Quarter Comeback Leads to Women's Basketball Victory

Back to the thread topic .... as the saying goes ... "if the thing is broke, fix it" well at least try something different UALBANY MEN’S BASKETBALL Danes look for accountability UAlbany may change lineup after big loss to American By Abigail Rubel Will Waldron / Times Union UAlbany’s Gerald Drumgoole said the team was unable to get the stops it needed to get back in the game against American. With nearly a week between losing to American and traveling to UMass, the University at Albany men’s basketball team has plenty of time to reflect. The Great Danes suffered their worst loss of the season Tuesday night, 88-62, allowing the Eagles to shoot 71.4 percent and 72.7 percent from 3-point range. It was their second loss of the season by 20 or more points, and their worst since a 71-43 defeat against Kansas State in December 2021. “It’s definitely hard to play through, when the other team has a lot of momentum. It’s hard to stay solid, because you have to constantly just match the intensity, score and come back and just rely on getting another stop, and that’s something we just did not get done tonight,” said senior forward Gerald Drumgoole Jr. following the loss. Coach Dwayne Killings said it was “probably our worst defensive effort of the year.” American made all but 13 shots and outscored UAlbany 54-24 in the paint. “We were just in constant rotations where we were a step slow, and they took advantage of it. I thought they did a really good job running their stuff, and I thought they shot the ball and attacked with really good confidence,” Killings said. Except for a 67-62 defeat at Towson in the season opener, all UAlbany’s losses have been by double digits, and the team has just one win against a Division I opponent this season — Presbyterian, which recorded its first Division I win Tuesday against Virginia Military Institute. According to KenPom’s analytics, UAlbany ranks 311th in adjusted offensive efficiency and 327th in adjusted defensive efficiency. Improvement will require “accountability,” Drumgoole said. “Everybody just own up to their mistakes, come back here ready to work,” he said. “If we had the chance to go out there and play again, I’m pretty sure the whole team would really want to go play, but the chance slipped away through our hands.” “We talk in our program a lot about looking in the mirror and not out the window, and we use that as a way to remind the guys that we can’t point the fingers at other guys. We have to take ownership of what we’re doing,” Killings said. Killings also said he planned on changing the lineup: “Everything’s up for grabs.” Tuesday, he started the regular trio of Da’Kquan Davis, Drumgoole and freshman forward Jonathan Beagle, along with Ny’Mire Little and Malik Edmead, who filled in for Aaron Reddish (illness). UAlbany was also without Justin Neely (knee) and Marcus Jackson (collarbone). Neely, who tore his ACL against Siena, has a surgery scheduled “in the next seven to 10 days.” “We have a short roster, so there’s a lot of opportunity out there for guys because of it,” Killings said. Though Killings was speaking of depth, UAlbany’s average height is just over 6-foot-4, around an inch shorter than the Division I average, per Ken-Pom. Beagle, who has started all seven games, was one of the few bright spots Tuesday, scoring 13 points and grabbing seven rebounds. He was named America East Rookie of the Week on Monday for the second time this season after averaging 10 points with 20 rebounds in three games last week. “We’ve got to give Jonathan Beagle some support in the post,” Killings said. ▶› Abigail.Rubel@- timesunion.com A @abigail_rubel

Was in the stands, with good view of his awkward fall with his shoulder taking the full impact of the floor. As I said earlier, he was making a play on the ball that was not going to happen. I am hoping he not in too much discomfort now, because on Saturday he appeared to be extreme pain.

Thank god a 700 PM start, busy holiday schedule

The MBB can take a lesson from the WBB in what to do when you find yourselves down by 8, which is dig down and play your game as team. Then again, WBB has a true leader in their coach, Colleen Mullen. Looking for Mentality, look no further then coach Mullen and the WBB Team.

In the end, one makes a choice whether or not to post and/or follow MBB ... I am of the opinion that no one whether old guard/new guard/no guard gets any satisfaction from the current state of affairs with the team.

Next up UMass - Amherst, which is up twelve with 5 minutes left at South Florida

The Great Dane disappearing act at an end of a half ..... now down by twelve...after tied at 27 - 27 should watch a reply of England - Wales match ...likely more entertaining

So where is the new guard? Many of the "old" guard, which includes me <not sure what makes you a friend and/or family of the old guard and by the way who is the old guard> showed up at the games last year until we realized that our University would not enforce its own rules on wearing masks. There are plenty of posters, that remain active here, who demanded the replacement of the "old" guard.

I believe, most that post on this site on MBB ... have said all that can be said about this team ... unless UAlbany MBB turn things around ... what can you say

My sentiments exactly, enough miscues by a host of coaches, staff and administrators that I feel many are revaluating their positions concerning UAlbany sports .... so many missing faces in the crowd at football and now basketball. When the announcement concerning SEFCU Arena renovations, many of saw that a new interior would help lead in the resurgence of attendance. What is the old saying..."Pretty is only skin deep." ... Benson and his team have let this one slip away.

From today's Times - Union: UALBANY FOOTBALL Two QBs enter transfer portal Carino, Szalkowski were backups to CAA Offensive Rookie of Year Poffenbarger By Mark Singelais CARINO SZALKOWSKI Rather than sit behind redshirt freshman Reese Poffenbarger for the foreseeable future, two University at Albany backup quarterbacks announced Monday they’re entering the NCAA transfer portal. Sophomore Joey Carino has two years of eligibility left and freshman Tyler Szalkowski has three years remaining. There seems to be scant prospect of playing time for either player after Poffenbarger transferred in from Old Dominion and won Colonial Athletic Association Offensive Rookie of the Year. “I want to thank my teammates, friends and coaches at the University at Albany for the past three years,” Carino, from Somers, tweeted. “I have learned so much as a player and person and have developed relationships that will last a lifetime.” At one time, Carino looked like he might be UAlbany’s QB of the future. Carino, who initially committed to Syracuse to play lacrosse, came off the bench in a football loss at Syracuse in 2021 and threw for one TD and ran for another. He made his only start in a and threw for 244 yards and two TDs. After starting quarterback Jeff Undercuffler transferred, Carino competed for the starting job last spring, but then UAlbany coach Greg Gattuso and new offensive coordinator Jared Ambrose brought in Poffenbarger, who won the position. This season, Carino ran 13 times for 36 yards and two TDs and was 0-for-2 passing. Szalkowski, from Rochester, was 2-for-4 passing for 28 yards and a TD. In his tweet, he thanked the coaching and training staff. QBs Matt Valecce, Joe Tortello and Aedan McDermott were also on the roster.

As part of my late afternoon retirement routine, check email, check the stock market and review my Instagram account for postings. I saw the 330 pm posting at 430 pm, already made a commitment to do something else for my spouse. Yes, far to common place to let the fan base know about something, particularly lacrosse.

Nov 30 (Wed) 7:00 PM at Canisius MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS NIGHT Buffalo, N.Y. Koessler Athletic Center ESPN+ Live Stats Program Tickets

The text of the letter sent by Craig Turnbull: Dear UAlbany Men’s Basketball Season Ticket Holders,We’re all excited to begin the 2022-23 home basketball season – one of transition for UAlbany Athletics and our men’s and women’s teams. The renovations to SEFCU Arena are moving along as planned. We’re looking forward to hosting our home games and other events on campus beginning November, 2023.Thank you for purchasing season tickets this year. Your support is essential to the continued growth and development of our programs.We will be restructuring the GDAC program and re-seating the arena for the 2023-24 season. For the current season, while there is no donation requirement since there is no preferred seating or parking at HVCC, we hope that you consider making a gift to UAlbany Athletics, preferably to the Great Dane Athletics account which is our greatest need. Gifts to UAlbany Athletics help support the significant needs of our 500+ student-athletes. Thank you if you have already made a gift this year.Note: Annual contributors to GDAC will receive priority when we re-seat the renovated arena.We are looking forward to the upcoming season at HVCC and are so appreciative of the college’s partnership with us. There will be concessions available at the McDonough Sports Complex. In lieu of Turf Hotel Courtside Corner we will be hosting several pre-game gatherings at an establishment or two in the HVCC area. Be on the lookout for further details soon.If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out – either by phone (cell preferred) or email.Go Danes!Craig

A small number of bloggers on this site has expressed similar sentiments over the years including myself.

From an Instagram posting from one hour ago: Great Dane fans join us tonight in the campus Center West Auditorium for a special event, "Forge Your Legacy" featuring the Thompson Brothers. The event starts at 600 PM, is free and open to the public. Question: Why wait until 330 PM on the day of the event to post something?

Perhaps, worthy of call to Roger Wyland's radio show or showing up to the Coaches' Corner at City Line for a follow up question ... that said Killings is man with much on his mind, lots to worry about, his relationship with Benson, the University, the fans and lastly but not least the team. Our current situation is prime for an athlete to truly step out of line resulting in a dismissal from the team.

Stenson 61 - UAlbany 40

When Joseph Girad III committed to Syracuse, he never imaged losing to a schools like Bryant University and Colgate University in an OOC schedule in the same year ... how the mighty have fallen ... could see the wheels coming off the bus at the end of last season however looks like Syracuse needs more than tires, perhaps a new engine and driver. I have marked January 11 (Wed) 7:00 PM on my calendar as we play in Smithfield RI.

Thank you, BOB...

Nov 27 (Sun) 12:00 PM Stetson Las Vegas, Nev. Live Stats Tickets Preview History