Sunday, February 15, 2009

Worst loss ever at the 'Cue

I did include this in the paper edition, but didn't find it out til about eight o'clock when UAlbany sports information Brian DePasquale told me Sunday's 19-point loss to New Hampshire was the worst loss in the history of the SEFCU Arena, which opened the 1992-93 season.

Amazingly that's not that bad for a worst loss ever, but it leaves the Great Danes reeling, losers of five straight and now in seventh place with three games to go.

“We knew this was going to be a really tough game,” New Hampshire coach Bill Herrion said. “We have a lot of respect for what these guys (UAlbany) do. I know they’re trying to find their way right now, I thought our kids came out though with great focus and I thought we established the game in the first five minutes.”

Couldn't have said it any better myself.

New Hampshire led 12-1 after the first three minutes and the Wildcats hadn't misses a shot (4-4 from the field, 2-2 from the free throw line).

“We played no perimeter defense, outside of Jerel Hastings,” UAlbany coach Will Brown said.

The Great Danes have a week of before hosting Maine at SEFCU Arena on Sunday, Feb. 22.

Despite having classes off, it may seem like a very long week for the players.

“We’re looking at doubles Tuesday, doubles Thursday, doubles Friday, grind them a little bit and challenge them,” Brown said. “I said to Brian Connelly, Brett Gifford and Jimmie Covington, help me out, is this the most patient I’ve ever been and Brian Connelly said ‘by far.’ They’re not responding to the patting on the back and the coddling, so I’m going back to getting in their faces and riding them and holding them accountable for every little thing.”

Brown said he is headed to Texas for recruiting on Wednesday, but would change his schedule so as to be gone for only as short a time as possible.

I asked Brown how he gets his players believing they can beat the best teams in this league, like they have already done this season.

“Confidence is a funny thing, especially when you’re dealing with young people,” Brown said. “If it was that easy, we’d be winning some games.”

The loss was pretty demoralizing for the team.

“Guys heads are down a little bit, but we have to find a way to pick it up,” Hastings said.

Pick it up and in a hurry.

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