An Important and Interesting Off-season

[Dane Pound]

I was happy to be wrong about Cerruti. I didn't expect much from him but I liked the way he played.

To me, if Horton and Cerruti return, you can maybe try and build around them with grad transfers and maybe compete in a league that should be more wide open.

If those guys don't return, I see next year as a rebuild year. We might as well bring in freshmen and have them gain experience.

[UA1882]

Just as expected the transfer portal is exploding.  5 New Hampshire players have entered the portal.  

I think Killings has built a very positive culture, but we will see if any of our guys enter. 

[cwdickens]

In my opinion, what makes this off season interesting is the need to for Coach Killings to start thinking about the Out of Conference "OOC" schedule, in particular, the UAlbany - Siena match-up.  After losing seven of the last eleven games, the UAlbany fans will be looking for a sign that the team has turned a new leaf... Will recruitment and player development be influenced by this game? .... further the importance of the game to Siena fans cannot be underscored enough as our cross town rivals flamed out big time at the end.  

https://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Siena-men-s-basketball-season-ends-with-loss-to-16993612.php?IPID=Times-Union-HP-sports-package

[nysteve661]

OT:  Rutgers just extended Pikiel four more years thru 2030 and will make an additional $16 million.  He is 98-89 since taking over at Rutgers, 18-12 this year.  Trying to make tourney in back to back years.

[cwdickens]

Getting back to to UAlbany and the AE MBB ....no matter how how many positive occurrences of important and interesting events for UAlbany MBB, unless there is dramatic shift or negative event at UVM ....like Coach John Becker leaving .... UVM will be a force to deal with... yes, there are only seven players returning however UVM is very good at recruitment

[alumni '92']

"Getting back to UAlbany and the AE MBB ....no matter how how many positive occurrences of important and interesting events for UAlbany MBB, unless there is dramatic shift or negative event at UVM ....like Coach John Becker leaving .... UVM will be a force to deal with... yes, there are only seven players returning however UVM is very good at recruitment". -  cwdickens 

 

to steal the line and to pay a compliment - "they (VT) don't rebuild, they reload" ... tip of the cap ... the bar is high for Coach Killings, his staff, and our athletic dept. ... let's do our part ... it should be fun going forward 

 

 

 

 

 

[cwdickens]

2 hours ago, alumni '92' said:

"Getting back to UAlbany and the AE MBB ....no matter how how many positive occurrences of important and interesting events for UAlbany MBB, unless there is dramatic shift or negative event at UVM ....like Coach John Becker leaving .... UVM will be a force to deal with... yes, there are only seven players returning however UVM is very good at recruitment". -  cwdickens 

 

to steal the line and to pay a compliment - "they (VT) don't rebuild, they reload" ... tip of the cap ... the bar is high for Coach Killings, his staff, and our athletic dept. ... let's do our part ... it should be fun going forward 

 

 

 

 

 

Well... I showed up at SEFCU for all the games .... had season tickets .... made my contribution to GDAC ...attended ZOOM calls during the summer ... showed up for the Mixed Breed Brewery event... any suggestions for "our part" during the spring/summer/fall 2O22

[alumni '92']

keep doing what you are doing ... was speaking of UA institutionally (SUNY, UA) ...  plus, alumni/donors/season ticket holders/students/fans ... you're checking all the boxes ... "what VT does, VT does" ... hopefully, the current staff can ramp up to the pace they have been setting in recent seasons 

[cwdickens]

...... Just thinking ....Dwayne Killings and MBB has been very quite since the season ending loss in the quarterfinal ..... only one Instagram posting, for a players birthday, since season ended  no local news media stories either ....is he out recruiting?  Interesting no posting about March Madness Fund Drive on Instagram unlike other sports .... may just be overwhelmed by the success of WBB.....

Edited March 19, 2022 by cwdickens
clarification

[cwdickens]

From CBSSports.com ....something of interest .... college coaching changes:

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/college-basketball-coaching-changes-2022-tracker-carousel-steve-lavin-returning-at-san-diego/

Two America East schools mentioned .... both known issues prior to end of the season:

	Binghamton
IN -- Levell Sanders | OUT -- Tommy Dempsey Dempsey was out a year ago, but we're noting this change here because Sanders was promoted in February to the full-time post after serving as interim coach. Binghamton's 12 wins this season are the most the program has had since 2009-10.

Maine

IN -- Chris Markwood | OUT -- Richard Barron Markwood has experience with Maine, both as a player and a coach, which is huge. A very tough job. Low budget, way off the map. Maybe as solid of a hire as could be expected here.

Edited April 8, 2022 by cwdickens

[cwdickens]

I expected at some change with Dwayne's assistant coaches this spring as opportunities open elsewhere..... UAlbany assistant hired by Florida Gulf Coast University

[cwdickens]

Just an FYI .... last evening WNYT gave coverage to Dwayne Killings news conference on Thursday .... further the Times-Union has article in the Friday edition .... if you are expecting some startling revelation ... sorry there is none .... nothing new in Times - Union or the WNYT segment .... a subdue Dwayne Killings  .... while every off-season is important ..... understated may become a word used more frequently....

Edited April 15, 2022 by cwdickens

[nysteve661]

OT:  Can understand guys like Roy Williams and Coach K retiring at their ages but just announced that Jay Wright at Nova is retiring at 60.  

[cwdickens]

Just an FYI .... Mark Benson and Dwayne Killings were together watching the UAlbany WLAX comeback win over UMBC .... both were were in friendly mood....

[UA1882]

It appears our transfer recruiting is winding down and to say I'm disappointed is an understatement.

On paper (I know games aren't won on paper) we are worse than the 13-18 team a year ago. Lost 2 conference players and our best player before he got hurt to graduation and brought in no where near that talent. 

I work in finance. If I'm brought in to a company because I have a reputation of brining in big fish then I am expected to perform.  Killings was called a recruiter. I don't see that "yet". 

We had some key players hurt last year and that can help. Really need the freshman to take a large step up. Hopefully the new recruits come in playing hard.  

I will always root for Albany but at least right now 10 wins would be the Vegas over / under unless there is marked , marked , marked improvement from the returning players , which is always possible.  

Edited May 7, 2022 by UA1882