cwdickens

UALBANY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL UAlbany is ready for a loud crowd By Pete Dougherty Jim Franco/Times Union archive UAlbany coach Colleen Mullen said of Binghamton, which has won four of its past five games: “They’re playing their best basketball.” ALBANY — Each season a handful of America East women’s basketball games are played in the morning, granting local grade-school students a field trip to watch a Division I game. Noise levels for the “kids games” can be deafening as pre-teens pack the arenas, but the general tones are much higher-pitched, and the timing of some of the cheering is far from traditional. The University at Albany will get another taste of that at 11 a.m. Thursday on what the school calls “Commitment to Education” Day. The Great Danes play host to Binghamton in front of what is expected to be a near-capacity crowd at 3,899-seat Broadview Center. “It’s way different,” said UAlbany coach Colleen Mullen, whose team (19-3, 8-1 America East) played a similar game Jan. 18 at UMass Lowell. “It’s screaming kids every play, whether you’re playing defense or playing offense. When you have a (regular) crowd, they make the noise when a big play happens or a momentum change. This is just constant yelling.” In essence, a vast majority of kids know how to make noise but not always when. “Hopefully we play well, because if you don’t, the kids might start rooting for the other team,” said UAlbany point guard Sarah Karpell, who experienced some of that last year when playing for Fordham. “It was a home game. You think the kids are going to root for you, but if the other team gets out to a lead, they totally turn their backs on the home team.” Fordham won that game 60-59 over Virginia Commonwealth, but the kids likely were happier about getting out of class than the game result. “The Bronx kids are a little crazy,” Karpell said. The noise factor also can disrupt teams trying to run offense. “You can’t hear the play calls Sarah is saying,” Danes guard Meghan Huerter said. “When we played our last kids game,” Karpell said, “(Mullen) gave me four or five plays every timeout that she would want to see. I just went off of that and depended a little less on what she was calling.” There are other adjustments, as well. Most Thursday games begin at 7 p.m. The start time for this game shifts each team’s routine eight hours earlier. “Our practices we’ve been doing earlier time slots,” Huerter said. Binghamton (9-13, 4-5) presents a challenge for the Danes. The Bearcats lost a 60-58 decision Jan. 13 at home to UAlbany, ending the Danes’ streak of nine consecutive double-digit victories. The Bearcats have won four of their past five, including a 66-57 triumph Saturday over Vermont. BINGHAMTON AT UALBANY When: 11 a.m. Thursday Where: Broadview Center, Albany TV: ESPN+ (streaming)

Pascale Named Inside Lacrosse Preseason All-America Honorable Mention

The updated weather forecast for game day: Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 47. South wind around 9 mph.

UALBANY MEN’S LACROSSE Carney’s debut a ‘full circle’ moment Sophomore attack transfers from Canisius to Danes program that was his first choice By Mark Singelais Lori Van Buren/Times Union UAlbany transfer Kevin Carney, 13, was not recruited by the Danes out of Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School. ALBANY — Ballston Lake’s Kevin Carney played his final high school lacrosse match at the University at Albany. He didn’t really want to go anywhere else for college. Not recruited by the Great Danes out of Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, Carney ended up playing for Canisius as a freshman. While he had a solid season, the Golden Griffins went 2-13. Carney entered the NCAA transfer portal after the season and finally landed at UAlbany, where he’s a sophomore attack for the Great Danes. “I’ve always kind of wanted to play here and it’s really come full circle,” he said. Carney will make his UAlbany debut in the opener Feb. 17 against Colgate at Casey Stadium, where he saw his high school career end with a 16-5 loss to Manhasset in the Class C state semifinals in 2022. “Obviously, being closer to home was a big factor and then you know being part of this culture has been everything I could ask for,” Carney said. “Coach (Scott) Marr is, in my opinion, the best to do it at the college level, so that was a huge part.” Carney said he heard from UAlbany about a month after he went into the portal. He visited the school and chose the Great Danes after also taking trips to Siena and UMass. “When (Carney) was a junior in high school, he was probably talking to other people and the guys we have on the team now had committed,” Marr explained. “Recruiting’s a funny thing, but sometimes things work in funny ways to get him back here. I’m really happy that he’s with us. He’s a tremendous player. He does a really nice job of moving off the ball and finishing the ball and it seems like he’s fit in pretty well with us. And he’s right in the mix with four or five attackmen that are going to play this year, so he’s done a really nice job.” At Canisius, Carney had 16 goals and eight assists and made the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference All-Rookie Team. But he had to endure more losses in one season than the 12 defeats he experienced in his entire high school career in lacrosse (45-10) and football (30-2). “Of course, that definitely factored in,” Carney said. “No one really likes losing, but like I said, it was just a culture piece.” Carney also liked the idea of being reunited at UAlbany with Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake alumni Darien and younger brother Caeden La-Pietro. “Love to have another Burnt Hills guy on the team,” said Darien LaPietro, a graduate midfielder. “Kevin expressed his interest in coming here and I just kind of helped him out through the process of talking about what it’s like here, what the culture’s like. Academically how he’s going to fit in, doing school business. Really good opportunity for Kevin.” LaPietro said Carney is a “super-dynamic” player and hard worker who can score with either hand. Marr described Carney last month as someone “who doesn’t say boo,” other than to ask questions. “I just try to go about my business and help the guys out in any way I can,” Carney said. At Canisius, Carney played in front of an average home crowd of 330 people. With a much larger enrollment, UAlbany averaged almost five times that last season (1,416), and Carney expects a strong family turnout. “They did make it out to a ton of games (in Buffalo), but it’s definitely more convenient being 30 minutes away and they can just hop in the car and come down,” Carney said. “So it’s super nice.”

Roger Wyland used his by-line to comment on Greg's extension: RODGER’S QUICK TAKE Greg Gattuso received a well-deserved two-year contract extension, keeping him as UAlbany football coach through the 2026 season. Gattuso who led UAlbany to the school’s first CAA championship and a berth in the FCS national semifinals, had only one year remaining on his current contract. UAlbany has some key players to replace on both sides of the ball, including quarterback. But when you post an 11-4 overall record and finish one win from a spot in the national championship game, good players in the portal want to play for the Great Danes. That’s a credit to Gattuso and the banner season the Danes had in 2023. Rodger Wyland is the sports director for News Channel 13. Listen to him weekdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on WTMM (104.5 FM, “The Team”).

I have an understanding that if you attend, you will be joining 3200 screaming elementary school children. I have attended Commitment to Education Day before. It is worth the price of admission to see and hear the young ones. Feb 8 (Thu) 11:00 AM AE vs Binghamton Commitment to Education Albany, N.Y. Broadview Center ESPN+ Int'l Video Live Stats History

The NWS forecast for Friday. A chance of showers after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 47. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

What a way to begin solar spring with two top 25 WLAX teams at "historic" John Fallon Field. The temperature at game time will be in the mid-forties. So, if you are off on Friday join us and if need an incentive parking at Broadview and entrance to the game is FREE. Feb 9 (Fri) 2:00 PM vs #14 Johns Hopkins Albany, N.Y. John Fallon Field History

While the money was part of extension, I believe the additional commitment of years under contract was more important. Not having to look for work after you reach your sixties is important. I speak with experience about this issue.

Another day of DI college lacrosse, another upset of a ranked team: Ridley Reapers: Greyhounds Upset Georgetown At Home Behind James' 9 Points

I concur with the granting of a two-year extension, not only did Greg, his staff and team had a great year, Greg has demonstrated an ability to recruit using the Transfer Portal and there is still need to demonstrate the coach and staff will be around more than a year or two. This extension could take Greg to retirement.

From The Albany Student Press. aka The ASP: Jonathan Beagle Temporarily Stepping Away From Basketball

Scores for matches involving AE MLAX for Saturday: Saturday, February 3, 2024 Men's Lacrosse Away Home Result Location Links Bucknell10 Merrimack14 Final North Andover, Mass. Box Score Full Game Archive NJIT10 St. John's8 Final Queens, NY Box Score Vermont7 Syracuse20 Final Syracuse, NY Box Score

Couple of big upsets, including one involving a team coming to Casey Stadium: Final: Denver 13, Johns Hopkins 12. Matt Brown: 1-0. Colgate shocked No. 4 Penn State, 12-11, in front of 1,148 inside Panzer Stadium for a grand upset on Day 1 of the NCAA Men’s Division I lacrosse season.

From today's Times-Union, Carm has assurances from the Siena Athletic Director: SIENA MEN’S BASKETBALL Vote of confidence given AD D’Argenio says that Maciariello will return next season By Mark Singelais Lori Van Buren/Times Union archive Siena coach Carmen Maciariello began his career with back-to-back MAAC regular-season titles, but has lost 24 of the past 27 games going into Sunday. LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. — As the Siena men’s basketball team continues its free fall, coach Carmen Maciariello said he isn’t worried about his job security. The Saints have lost 13 of 14 games and 24 of their past 27 following Friday’s 91-50 blowout defeat at Rider on Friday night. “No, I worry about the here and now,” Maciariello said after the game. “I come to work and give everything my all and that’s all I can do. I don’t speculate or worry.” Siena is 3-18 with 10 regular-season games left and could break the program record of 24 losses. Maciariello got a vote of confidence before the game from Siena athletic director John D’Argenio, asked if Maciariello is safe for next season. “As far as I’m concerned, and in my eyes, I think in the context of everything he’s done, yes,” D’Argenio said. That context includes back-to-back Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference regular-season titles in Maciariello’s first two seasons from 2019 to 2021, which earned Maciariello a contract extension that takes him through the 2025-26 season. Since that extension, Siena has gone 35-47 entering Sunday’s game against Mount St. Mary’s at MVP Arena. Siena hasn’t won a MAAC Tournament game since Maciariello’s first season. The Saints were a half-game out of first place on Super Bowl Sunday last year before beginning their steep decline. They dropped their final six games last season and have had trouble being competitive this year. Friday’s loss to Rider was Siena’s fifth defeat by more than 30 points and eighth of 20 or more this season. Several of those blowouts have been at MVP Arena, where average attendance has declined to 5,235 per game from 6,415 a year ago. D’Argenio said he looks at Maciariello’s overall track record over the recent struggles. “The record is not what we want it to be,” D’Argenio said. “But I think the amount of time and energy he puts into it, what he’s proven he can do over the last four years, in terms of recruiting. We have players playing in all different leagues in this country at top levels, so that shows he knows how to evaluate talent. And I think over the past four years, we’ve had some pretty decent success. Now the last year and a little bit of last (season) isn’t what we want it to be, so that’s what we’ve got to work on.” Maciariello made $362,450 in reportable compensation from Siena in the 2021-22 academic year, the most recent figure available, according to Siena’s tax records. With two years left on his contract, D’Argenio said the school’s financial obligation isn’t a factor in keeping Maciariello. “I don’t think so,” D’Argenio said. “I think it’s where we are, right? It’s this moment in time. It’s the environment that we’re faced with. The contract is the contract, but we’ll do things to continue to make this program better.” D’Argenio said he had no regrets about extending Maciariello to 2026. “We had no problem at the time and no problem with it right now,” he said. Assuming Maciariello returns for a sixth season, he would be the first Siena coach to last more than five years since Mike Deane (1986 to 1994). D’Argenio acknowledged any decision to keep Maciariello isn’t his alone. He said he has discussed the team’s struggles with new college president Charles F. Seifert. “I think we’re aligned and we’ll see where we land at the end of the year,” D’Argenio said. “I know our president has been nothing but supportive and I’ve been able to talk to him about it. He’s understanding what’s going on in college athletics which causes these type of things.” The transfer portal has hurt Siena badly with Jalen Pickett (Penn State), Javian McCollum (Oklahoma), Jordan King (East Tennessee State and Richmond), Colby Rogers (Wichita State) and others leaving for other schools. Siena hasn’t worked the portal as effectively, even with a new name, image and likeness collective. D’Argenio and Maciariello agreed relying heavily on high-school recruits instead of transfers this season was a mistake. Siena entered the season with the third-youngest roster in the country and didn’t bring in a veteran point guard to replace McCollum. “Certainly in today’s day and age, you need to always have a mature team, so I think we need to look at that piece of it, as well,” D’Argenio said. Redshirt junior guard Sean Durugordon, the Austin Peay transfer, didn’t become eligible until the 11th game of the season. Sophomore guard Michael Eley, the MAAC Rookie of the Year last season, has dealt with injuries. “Now with the way the portal is and player mobility, it’s going to be a new team every season,” Maciariello said. “Maybe my shortsightedness in thinking that you could take younger guys and hard-wire them as opposed to older guys. In my previous teams, they were all older. All of them.” Maciariello said he’s studying the rosters of top-four teams in mid-major conferences to see their numbers of graduate transfers, junior-college transfers, Division I and II transfers and prep-school players. Maciariello said he appreciated D’Argenio’s endorsement and “that makes you feel good people still believe in you” during a tough season. “Carm and I talk all the time, and we’ll sit down at the end of the year,” D’Argenio said. “It starts with both of us taking accountability and responsibility for what we didn’t do right and then try to right those wrongs, whether it is continuing to teach the young men, whether it’s how we recruit and where we recruit, and I think those things all go into it.” MOUNT ST. MARY’S AT SIENA When: 2 p.m. Sunday Where: MVP Arena, Albany TV/Radio: My4 Albany, ESPN+ (streaming), JAMZ 96.3 FM

Thank you, did not realize a morning game....

Could the decision to bench be punitive measure by Killings to show Jonathan who is in charge? However, based on my watching the home games from the stands, this downward spiral started with the UMass-Lowell game. No matter, the lack of empathy and/or support to Jonathan by Killings in statement, leads me to believe the career of this Great Dane has come to an end.

After 23 games, I have no expectations of this team playing no more than minimal amount of defense.

Saturday, February 3, 2024 Women's Basketball Away Home Result Location Links UAlbany69 UMBC55 Final Baltimore County, MD (Conf.) Box Score Maine70 Bryant58 Final Smithfield, RI (Conf.) Box Score Vermont57 Binghamton66 Final Vestal, NY (Conf.) Box Score UMass Lowell52 New Hampshire66 Final Durham, NH (Conf.) Box Score Live Event

I started this thread with this observation, so what do people think, did UMBC beat us or did we beat ourselves.

I have bought over my comments from earlier today in another thread. My worst fears about Jonathan Beagle's future with our program have played out very quickly. My earlier comments: "My concerns about Jonathan Beagle started with the UMass-Lowell game. I am not sure if he has an issue with Killings and/or one or more of the assistants and/or one or more of his team mates. He just not seems to be himself. I know Marcus Jackson tried speaking with him during the Bryant game on the sidelines and Jonathan would have nothing to do with the talk. Whatever the issue, I strongly feel Marcus Jackson knows because these two are the closest of friends as I never see one without the other. I hope Jonathan does not have a game fatigue."

After watching UVM at Broadview Center, I believed that UVM was beatable in conference, however, Thursday night past, was not going to be that night. We now have the incentive to beat UVM.

Yes, for this season.

A Great Dane win 69-55 over the Retrievers. This afternoon, the Great Danes was the team from earlier in the season. The Great Danes did particularly well from beyond the arc. Great job by Colleen, staff and the Great Dane WBB team!!!

Just a reminder, dress warmly: The weather forecast: Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 35. North wind 8 to 10 mph.