The University at Albany had their one day of meeting with the media this week, today (Siena's is tomorrow) as they prepare for crosstown rival Siena College on Saturday night. 

Junior forward Will Harris said he knows Siena senior captain Kenny Hasbrouck pretty well. 

Hasbrouck and he played together at Maine Central Institute in 2004-05. 

Maine Central Institute has some other pretty famous alumni, including NBA players Caron Butler, Sam Cassell, Brad Miller and Cuttino Mobley.  

Harris averaged 26.0 points per game while playing for MCI. 

"We still talk from time to time," said Harris of his relationship with Hasbrouck. "We've talked a couple times this week."

Harris said there's hasn't been much trash talking, because he and Hasbrouck, were and are still good friends. 

Harris went from MCI to Brewster Academy in New Hampshire then on to Virginia and now has landed at UAlbany. 

Hasbrouck became Siena coach Fran McCaffery's first recruit and is now the captain of the defending MAAC champions. 

"Kenny was a real good player when we were at MCI together," Harris said. "All of his hard work has paid off."

Harris was asked what his former teammate's best trait was. 

"His heart," Harris said. "He never gives up and he always goes hard 100 percent of the time."

Harris said the he thought Hasbrouck would reply the same if asked that question. 

"When we were at MCI, we used to be in some pretty tough games and me and him would always get together and tell each other, we're never out of the game," Harris said.  

It's not surprising that when Harris was asked who the Great Danes needed to shut down on Saturday, this was his reply. 

"Probably Kenny Hasbrouck or Edwin Ubiles," Harris said. "Those two are real good players and we're going to do our best to keep them out of the game."

____________

Harris is averaging 8.9 points per game, but he only scored four points in two games against Bryant. 

In Monday's game, Harris was held out of the scoring sheet, something UAlbany coach Will Brown called "mind-boggling."

"Everybody has rough nights and I'll play through that," said Harris of his 0-for-6 shooting night. 

Newsflash to America East foes and future UAlbany opponents, Harris doesn't plan on another night like that for some time.  

"It was a rough night for me," Harris said. "I've been in the gym working, so I wouldn't expect that again."