UA66

I go along with Dane Pound on this one, i.e. playing time for Baumann, Knots, and Connelly. I think that Brown is still adjustung to the fact that he has a bench, something he has not had in his previous 4 years. He does seem to be dristributing time well among 9 players. Regarding the Bofia incident, all I want to know is whether Lillis or Brent were hurt and will they be 100% tonight and thursday night? Any report?

Another thought on Jamar. He scored many of his points on pull-up short jumpers. I think this is where he was most effective scoring in past years. Hopefully that part of his game - which was missing earlier this year - is back on track.

This was a good game to watch. The guys actually seemed to be having fun - first time I've seen that this year. Hartford is a tough team. Cook started hitting the 3s in the second half and kept Hartford in the game until the final 5 minutes. Adeleke looks to be as advertised but our defense made him work for every point. The frustration he showed late in the second half said to me that he hadn't been challenged prior to last night and he wasn't taking it well. Jamar actually made it look easy. I didn't realize he had that many points. How about the Lillis dunk! I didn't see the one in Binghamton last year but this was a doozy - in your face reverse dunk. Overall, the defensive intensity was there and the team played a smart game. I still think they play best when Lillis is at the point. His absence at the beginning of the season was most likely a major factor in a few of those early losses. A very good team effort.

Go for the point guard!!!!!

Dane Pound, I'm glad you didn't challenge me to a "Feat of Strength." I'd hate to beat the crap out of you. Have a super holiday.

You're right, Reeder. Lillis will have to make some shots. But that should not be a problem. As I recall, he had one of the highest shooting percentages on the team last year and some were from way out. The problem is that he doesn't take many shots. However, I think he will once he feels more comfortable with more playing time. He is certainly smart enough to know when he will have to stop and pop.

"3) Coach Brown utilized different strategies in this game - plans which proved successful. Starting Lillis at the point and using Zoellner when he was most effective were two strategies that worked. Brown has had to learn a lot this season. He has begun to use his players much more effectively. First, he had to learn to use more weapons; until this season he had a small bench. Now, he has begun to use his players according to how they fit best into a successul pattern. Let's give this young coach some credit for these lessons. I am sure that he is much more relieved about his team and his future." Unfortunately, I was not able to attend last night's game and I do not get TW3 here is Mass. So I cannot comment on what I did not see. Anyway, I do agree with the statements about Brown's "learning" in the above quote from Olddog71. It is too easy to forget that Brown is still one of the youngest coaches in D1. Yes, he has a lot to learn. Yes, we (the team) are not living up to expectations. Yes, we (the fans) are frustrated. However, I, for one, am willing to give him more time, even if we don't finish this season where most of us had anticipated. I see too many positives with this coach to turn him loose, if that is what the AD and others are already thinking. He is a very good recruiter. He has surrounded himself with a good staff. He works exterenly hard and is willing to make changes when necessary. For the short term, we wish things were better. But for the long term, I do see this PROGRAM growing along with the coach. I'd hate to sacrifice the long term for short term satisfaction.

It seemed no one wanted to shoot the ball. Plus, there seemed no urgency when down by 15 with 5 minutes to play. The teams of 2 and 3 years ago didn't win much but they were at least entertaining. This game was not in the least entertainting.

I felt before the season that Brian Lillis was going to be a key if not the key to how far this team was going to go. He not only goes all out but is a very smart ball player. He made a huge difference tonight. Though I've been down on Zoellner for a long time, I willingly admit that I may have been wrong. He had also had a very good game tonight. Let's hope that this is the turning point for this team.

Chuck was the person I envisioned taking over for Bob Ford one day. I was friends with him and his family during his tenure at Albany and witnessed his passion for the game. He will do a great job at Stony Brook.

Ya gotta get your priorities straight. The memories of someone else's wedding fade quickly but who can forget those BPG games. Priceless! On second thought, how good is your wife's left hook?

Happy Thanksgiving, Dane Pound, and to all who share their insights on this forum.

This game bothered me so much I couldn't sleep last night. This was a game that we should win - and have to win to have credibility. A lot of things bothered me about this game: There was too much perimeter play,i.e. little attempt to get the ball inside. Numerous times I saw guys cutting unfettered to the hoop and the man with the ball simply ignored him. We ain't going nowhere if we don't develop an inside game because there will be nights as last night when the outside game disappears. Decision making was slow and poor. This is where the absence of Lillis at full health hurts the most. It seems like our set plays are repetitive and quickly become predictable and defenseable. The intensity level was low until too late. SH was so much quicker, especially in the first half, both offensively and defensively. I don't believe for a moment that was because they had better athletes. We seemed to be stuck in second gear and moving like it was a practice run-through - witness the number of stolen passes because they were lazy passes. There's more but my blood pressure can't take it. We must the win the games we are supposed to win.

I can't help but think that the beatings this team took from the scholly teams early in the season set back their development. The defense was there all season but the offense didn't get on track until lately. Starting off with a more reasonable schedule might have made a diference, especially with so many new players and new coaches. IMO throwing them under the bus early to 3 very good A-10 teams didn't allow the offense to come together. Regarding the new scholarship rules of the NEC, I have a few questions: 1) Where is UAlbany going to get the money to support the scholraships? 2) Will players being recruited now and in spring be offered scholarships? 3) How many scholarships be offered the first year? (I'd guess that since 30 is the max, it is not advisable to offer all 30 (assuming the $s are there) all at once, i.e. the first year.

Been gone all day, so belated thanks Indian 91.

What did sienafanie V have to say about Jamar?

Maybe the UA football coaches should scout the Kickapoo team. There may be a field goal and PAT kicker among the poo kickers.

This team came on storng as the season progressed. They look to be good for several years as there are 18 underclassmen and only 8 upperclassmen.

Ooops, sorry Godanesgo. Didn't see your report on the radio broadcast info before posting previous message.

Roger Wyland will be broadcasting the games today and tomorrow. In addition, he'll be doing his morning radio programs and evening TV sports report from FL. He says that he'll have video highlights of the games on the TV report.

Over the weekend, the Times Onion ran the Ettkin article on the poor attendance at the exhibition game against MaGill and the next article they run (this morning's edition) on UAlbany basketball is all about the one year contract extension for Will Brown and how it may hurt the team's performance as well as recruiting. The negative overtones in both articles has me wondering what's with the Times Onion. How about something positive for a change, i.e. the new recruits, the development of Brent Wilson, the return of Iati, the greatness of Jamar Wilson? There is so much positive to write about but they (Times Onion) seem to like the negatives.

I heard Roger Wyland say something after the football game last night about flying down to Florida next Tuesday. I assume it is to broadcast the games at FL.

Burger King guy didn't show up. I think he was injured in the pre-game warmup. Pretty interesting that Boccanegra was use as a flanker.

I went over to the volleyball game during halftime of the basketball game, as you apparently did Alum 72, and also noticed that it was a younger crowd. I was thrilled to see the turnout for the VB game since this team is exciting to watch. While I don't agree with Ettkin's assessment of the age of the crowd at the BB game, I do agree with him that the attendance was dismal considering that we have a very good team that should make history this year, and one that is fun to watch. I think the first regular season home game will be a better barometer of fan support than last night's game.

I just jumped over to read the Times Onion report on the game. Not much there - short article. However, Brian Ettkin's column focused on the poor attendance last night. I thought of mentioning that in my review above but chose not to. However since Ettkin addressed it, I'll throw in my thoughts. Yeah, one of the first things that crossed my mind when the game started was "where in hell are the fans?" Ettkin said that most of the people in attendance were other UA athletes, but if that was true, then UA teams are recruiting a lot of kids who are either prematurely bald or gray haired. It was an older crowd, so where in hell were the students?