2023-24 MBB Preseason Expectations and Predictions

[godanesgo99]

So it looks like the roster is now finalized and the students are back on campus. While practice doesn't begin for a few weeks, the schedule is out and the season is getting close. Last year was a terrible year. Last place, no AE playoffs in a season played at HVCC...

This is a new season with an extremely new roster, and the opening of the renovated SEFCU arena, now called Broadview Center.

What are everyone's expectations for the season? Any predictions for the team or the AE in general?

Roster:

Guards: (1/2)

• Will Amica (Jr. - Returning)
• Ny'Mire Little (Jr. - Returning)
• Marcus Jackson (So. - Returning Walk-on)
• Tyler Bertram (Sr. - Transfer)
• Sebastian Thomas (Jr. - Transfer)
• Amar'e Marshall (So. - Transfer)
• Zane Adnan (Fr.)
• Zack Matulu (Fr. - Walk-on)

Wing: (2/3/4)

• Aaron Reddish (Jr. - Returning)
• Justin Neely (Jr. - Returning, may have gotten a medical redshirt last season)
• Muneer Newton (Jr. - Transfer)
• Jack Margoupis (Fr)

Bigs (4/5)

• Jonathan Beagle (So. - Returning)
• Marcus Filien (Sr. - Transfer)
• Patrico Bautista Giralt (Fr.)

 

Edited August 22, 2023 by godanesgo99

[godanesgo99]

I kinda like the roster at the moment. There is size with Beagle and the incoming Giralt. I think Reddish will have a break out season if he can keep his emotions in check, and I think there are enough guards to figure out what works. This does not look like a last place team, and really is constructed in a way that could surprise a lot of people and actually contend. I'm gonna guess middle of the pack, which would be a huge step up from last seasons disaster.

My questions: Will we ever see anything out of Amica or Little? Both have talent but haven't been able to put it together for one reason or another (injuries) and what will Neely be when he is ready to play again. Then the elephant in the room: Will DK become a decent in game coach instead of what appears to be a strong recruiter. His teams have under achieved relative to the expected talent two straight seasons....

[UA1882]

When it comes to UA basketball I will always be a water half full kind of guy to start the season 

However, I to believe the over/under should be 10 D1 wins total. 

[B9j2j6s]

If we can be around .500 I will be satisfied and feel like the program is heading in the correct direction.  

[cwdickens]

12 hours ago, B9j2j6s said:

If we can be around .500 I will be satisfied and feel like the program is heading in the correct direction.  

I agree that we should have more wins, one question: Has Killings in game coaching skills improved?  If Killings does not or cannot improve in this area, we are in trouble.  For this program, the direction that it is heading will be a year to year thing, in particular with the transfer portal.

[McFan]

I’d sign up for .500.  This roster is a glaring example of what’s wrong (my opinion) with college hoops.  There’s 3 players, including a walk on, on the roster that played any real minutes last year.  So what to expect?  Who knows.  

[dslyank]

13 hours ago, godanesgo99 said:

My questions: Will we ever see anything out of Amica or Little? Both have talent but haven't been able to put it together for one reason or another (injuries) and what will Neely be when he is ready to play again. Then the elephant in the room: Will DK become a decent in game coach instead of what appears to be a strong recruiter. His teams have under achieved relative to the expected talent two straight seasons....

Nice assessment overall. Think Neely will be ready, feel comments by staff on when he will be full strength are just them being overly cautious {"coach speak" if you will.} Think DK will take a giant step forward this year. Might be wishful thinking, but believe distractions will be mostly behind him; and with what appears on paper (at least) as a decent personal; and HOPEFULLY HEALTHY; he should show us some "coaching" & game strategy & adjustments???

The real elephant in the room IMHO is Reddish. Took a giant step backwards last year; when he basically had no competition for playing time; and had no one to blame but himself that he could not take the starting position & run with it.

[godanesgo99]

The message board has been dead with all the negativity around the entire Athletic Department, so I started this thread in an attempt to some people talking about positive stuff or even just talking about something other than scandal and losing games. I miss the days when the board was active, but I think message boards just dont get many fans anymore. Those of us that dont use Instagram or X (Twitter) are pretty much left out in the cold. 

Thank you all who still come here and post and chat. Make predictions and comment on the happenings. It makes us addicted fans happy to see new info!

Edited August 23, 2023 by godanesgo99

[cwdickens]

Do you know any current UAlbany students seeking work experience?

The UAlbany MBB is seeking student managers per a post on Instagram.

ualbany_mbb

 

UAlbany Athletics

152 likes

• 

   

  ualbany_mbb

  ‼️STUDENT MANAGERS WANTED‼️
  
  #MENTALITY

  1d

[cwdickens]

According to a UAlbany MBB Instagram posting, from today, walk-on tryouts will be conducted on September 19, 2023 (Tuesday).

The posting asks the question: Do you want to be part of one of the premier programs in the northeast?   While I am feeling a little optimistic that the MBB will end up with a better record than last year, no way can anyone state this is one of the premier programs in the northeast. 

[cwdickens]

New additions to the MBB staff ... including one that we know:

Whitesell, Cerruti Join Men’s Basketball Staff

First seen on Instagram.

 

 

Edited September 15, 2023 by cwdickens
update

[cwdickens]

Does anyone know why UBuffalo decided to part ways with Whitesell. as their announcement stated: "At this time, we felt it was necessary to make a change in leadership of our men's basketball program,...".  Whitesell had three winning seasons out of four years as head coach.

Since I asked my question, I found an ESPN comment on his firing: "The lack of postseason success coupled with a drop-off in recruiting were considered disappointments for a school that had established itself as a MAC power. It made a combined four NCAA tournament appearances -- including the program's first -- from 2014 to 2019 under Bobby Hurley and Nate Oats."

UBuffalo had to pay-out the final year of their contract with Coach White.... $500,000 

My question now: Did we hire a solution to our X's and O's issues or just added another problem? 

I noticed that Hamlet Tibbs is an assistant coach at UBuffalo.

Edited September 15, 2023 by cwdickens
update

[jimbo]

Whitesell has had way more success at a higher level program than DK has had. So unless there’s friction, you’d have to think this is a good addition for the program. It also puts someone in place who could step up if DK craters again and winds up being shown the door. So it seems like a win to me, but what do I know?

[Clickclack]

10 hours ago, jimbo said:

Whitesell has had way more success at a higher level program than DK has had. So unless there’s friction, you’d have to think this is a good addition for the program. It also puts someone in place who could step up if DK craters again and winds up being shown the door. So it seems like a win to me, but what do I know?

I'm a fan of this hire, the criticism has been that DK doesn't have anyone on the bench with significant experience...he now does...a guy who was a HC, winning record at a better conference and program. This is a good seasoned pick-up. 

[Eli]

Seems like a huge step down for Whitesell no? I mean, I like it...but how do you go from HC of UB to AC at UA working for a guy who has a losing record?