mbb 2022 Game #2: 11/8/22 - 5:00PM at Immaculata

[Eli]

Last Up: L (67-62) @ Towson
Next Up: @ Immaculata
Date: 11/8/22 @ 5:00PM
TV/Streaming: Atlantic East Network
Local Radio: ESPN Radio 104.5 FM
ESPN Matchup Predictor: 61.9% chance of a UAlbany win

[godanesgo99]

20 minutes ago, Eli said:

ESPN Matchup Predictor: 61.9% chance of a UAlbany win

Umm, isn't this game against a D3 team? 

[UAalum72]

6 minutes ago, godanesgo99 said:

Umm, isn't this game against a D3 team? 

Massey Ratings has us 99%, 86-49.

All I know about Immaculata is that they were a MAJOR power in women's basketball in the years before the NCAA sponsored the sport.

[Eli]

49 minutes ago, godanesgo99 said:

Umm, isn't this game against a D3 team? 

Yep. ESPN has no page for them, even. lol.

[cwdickens]

Danes visit Immaculata

Davis, an Arcadia transfer, is no stranger to Mighty Macs’ gym

 

By Abigail Rubel

James Franco / Times Union

UAlbany guard Da’Kquan Davis, left, has scored over 50 points against the Mighty Macs.

James Franco / Times Union

UAlbany’s Trey Hutcheson shoots over Saint Rose guard Max Jusianiec during an exhibition game on Wednesday. He had 12 points, seven rebounds and two assists.

When Da’Kquan Davis left Division III Arcadia for the University at Albany men’s basketball team, Immaculata coach Jayson Hyman breathed a sigh of relief.

“Didn’t think I would ever be playing against him again. It was kind of exciting when he left Arcadia,” Hyman said of the 6-foot-1 guard who scored 1,825 career points for the Knights.

Davis will return to Alumnae Hall with the Great Danes Tuesday at 5 p.m., a day after opening the season at Towson. He scored 20 points in each of UAlbany’s exhibitions, numbers that approach his performances against the Mighty Macs: 24 points in a 2018 game and 27 (plus 11 rebounds and eight assists) a year later.

“He plays to his strengths. He knows his game. Most basketball players develop that IQ later in their career. He grasped that pretty early, which made him stand out amongst the rest,” Hyman said.

It’s unusual for a Division I school to play a Division III school on the road, but with SEFCU Arena under renovation and the Great Danes playing at Hudson Valley Community College, it’s an unusual season for UAlbany.

Assistant coach Bobby Jordan, who’ll continue as UAlbany’s acting head coach at Immaculata while Dwayne Killings serves the penultimate game of his suspension, reached out to Hyman because the team was looking for a game on the way back from Towson.

The offer was like “Christmas came early.”

“I leaped at that. Being able to host a team like Albany is amazing for our school, our program, for my guys. Just to compete against a DI team, have that be part of their four-year experience here, I think that’s a good thing,” Hyman said.

Immaculata’s men’s basketball team hasn’t hosted a Division I team before, but the program is only 17 years old. It was added in 2005 after Immaculata went coed in 2003. (The women’s team, though, won the first-ever national championship in 1972.)

UAlbany has struggled with injuries at the start of the season, with leading returning scorer Justin Neely sitting out both exhibitions with a shoulder injury. Malik Edmead (ankle) and Will Amica (groin) also missed time in the preseason.

Trey Hutcheson and Gerald Drumgoole both stood out, with Drumgoole scoring 19 points against Skidmore and Hutcheson filling the stat sheet with 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and four blocks at Saint Rose.

Senior forward Tyler Tillery is the Mighty Macs’ top returning player after averaging 11.2 points per game and 6.6 rebounds per game last season. Immaculata went 8-19, 4-8 in the Atlantic East Conference.

“I have a pretty young team. ... So to expose them to a team like Albany would be good for their growth,” Hyman said. Having Davis on the other team only adds to that.

“It’s a good story, and some of these guys may attach to that, and it may elevate their game because of that opportunity that Da’Kquan had,” he continued. “He was exceptional, but he had good games and bad games on that level too, and now he’s excelling at the Division I level, I think a lot of D3 kids can take from his experience.”

[danes05]

I truly do not understand the point in playing schools in lower classifications, (no disrespect to them)

[classof95]

It's kind of a trip hearing the Immaculata coach sound like they're playing UNC or something.

[godanesgo99]

I hate playing D3 schools as well, as it seems to be a nothing to win and everything to lose type opportunity, but as the article above said, this is a different year with SEFCU closed for renovations.

Actually, if you think about it, this year with Davis showing that some D3 kids can play at this level, it could be a good recruiting tool for future grad student transfers. I mean Skidmore had those two towers at 6'10"/6'11".... showing that they might be able to play with a D1 school might give them some interest in the future. No idea what Imaculata has on their roster, but if they have any kids that excel, this could be a shot for them to connect with our coaching staff for the future. 

I know I am putting lipstick on a pig, but I guess we gotta find whatever positives we can in these situations. 

 

[dslyank]

Pretty much everybody is doing it (playing or at least scrimmaging lower devisions) these days. S-brook, New Hamp., and Maine have played 2 to 3 DIII's per year for years. Not much different than Baylor scheduling UA {don't you think Baylor fans are saying who/what the f@#$, why are we playing that nobody--trap game--pig game--etc.}

Got to play games--Got to Schedule somebody. AND like 99 said with new transfer rules etc. pretty fluid flow of players up & down between divisions.

I hate the transfer rule TOO, but that is college athletic life these days. Might as well play any takers.

Edited November 8, 2022 by dslyank

[Dane96]

Have mercy...I do not miss D3.  Listening to these announcers, it is worse than a student radio broadcast.  We make fun of Wyland and Co but my word these two sound like a bunch of unexcited high schoolers holding a hand mic. 

[jimbo]

Maybe, just maybe the info banner should be at the top of the screen instead of obscuring half the court? Just saying...

[Dane96]

I hate this game. Don't mind Skidmore.  Don't mind Union.  Gives the guys a run-out and has local interest.  This game is an injury waiting to happen with no real upside.  Kids, as expected, look totally disinterested. 

[Dane96]

The Neely difference.  Kid is singlehandedly giving energy to this game. 

[jimbo]

Somebody trip over the video camera plug or is it just me?

 

ok. Went out and came back. That one guy really ought to share his mic with the guy who sounds like he’s reporting from the concession stand. 

Edited November 8, 2022 by jimbo

[Dane96]

It's not you. it's a joke setup just like this game is a joke.