ALBANY — The University at Albany had a three-man show going for much of the early part of the 2010-11 season.

They're hoping they have added a few more acts to their ensemble.

Will Brown tweaked his offense before the game against Maine on Wednesday and although the Great Danes lost, he saw some positives from his frontcourt players.

UAlbany (1-3, 8-11) will need all of their offensive weapons in full gear tonight when they take on preseason favorite Boston University (2-1, 7-10) in an America East showdown at SEFCU Arena.

“I think they're just talented overall,” said Brown of the Terriers. “Probably the most talented team in the league individually.”

The Great Danes rode their three-headed monster of Logan Aronhalt, Tim Ambrose and Mike Black for much of their offensive firepower.

While those three perimeter players will continue to provide the most offense for UAlbany, sophomore Blake Metcalf and freshmen John Puk and Luke Devlin need to continue contributing.

Those three players combined for 20 points and 18 rebounds against the Black Bears.
“For us to get 20 and 18 from our frontcout guys, that's pretty darn good,” Brown said. “They're not going to get us that every night, but they need to be productive and I think part of them being productive is us getting them the ball and keeping them involved.”

Brown's adjustment was to use more screens to get his frontcourt players more active.

“By throwing it inside, you hope that we can get some easy opportunities, get to the free throw line, get some teams in foul trouble,” Brown said. “And also keep our bigs interested in the game and let them know that they're an integral part of what we're trying to do.”

The team has been learning new plays and working on getting ball inside.

“To achieve a little more balance scoring, I think will help us a lot in the long run,” said Aronhalt.
Boston University has won the last two games and are capable of beating a lot of teams.

“They're definitely a tough matchup,” Devlin said. “But I'm confident, as I am with every team we play that we can beat them.”

The Terriers top threat is senior John Holland, who averages a conference-best 18.3 points per game.

“We just have to make sure to have a hand on him at all times, someone always there, always in front of him,” Aronhalt said. “He's going to be tough to stop. It's going to be a challenge for us.”

The Terriers will likely be without some of that talent as junior forward Jake O'Brien is doubtful with a sprained ankle that he suffered against UMass on New Year's Eve. O'Brien, who averages 11.6 points per game, has missed the past three games.

With O'Brien out, Boston University is more physical with 6-foot-8 junior Jeff Pelage.

UAlbany's frontcourt players will have to be more physical, while also trying to help out with the offensive.