ALBANY - The University at Albany men's basketball team will do something on Thursday that they haven't done all season.

Because of an America East Conference policy that was started last season, the Great Danes will travel to Vermont today, the day of the game, rather than the day before, like they have for the non-conference portion of their schedule.

"We haven't done that this year so far, but we can't use that as an excuse," said sophomore captain Logan Aronhalt. "At least, we can sleep in our beds (Wednesday), so maybe it'll be a good thing. Who knows? We'll see."

The America East instituted the policy last year as a cost-cutting measure. Any schools that are within 150 miles of one another, must travel the day off.

This policy affects UAlbany more than any other school, as they have four (Binghamton, Vermont, Boston U. Hartford) day of trips (although just three this season because the Boston U. game is at Madison Square Garden).

It's also why Sunday's game against Hartford is at 3 p.m., because the Great Danes will leave early that morning.

The Great Danes will still check into a hotel this afternoon and eat and go over a team scout at the hotel before heading to Patrick Gymnasium for the game.

"I just think it's something we have to deal with," said freshman John Puk.