ALBANY - University at Albany senior point guard Mike Black talks about his team's 85-80 overtime loss to Boston University.

ALBANY - What a game and what a tough loss for the University at Albany.

The Great Danes looked like they had overcame a bad first half to post a solid league win, when D.J. Irving happened.

Irving hit two 3-pointers in the final 10 seconds, as Boston University forced overtime and won the game from there.

Irving and Mike Black both finished with 20 points.

The Terriers scored 22 points in overtime and made its final eight shots from the field.

“Credit B.U.," Black said. "They made a lot of tough shots.”

UAlbany is now 1-22 over the past three seasons against Boston U. (0-7), Vermont (0-7) and Stony Brook (1-8), the last two of which make trips to town in the next seven days. 

ALBANY - The University at Albany played one of its worst home halves of the year in the first half.

The Great Danes are lucky to be down by only six, since they turned the ball over 11 times, attempted just four free throws and shot 29.2 percent (7-24) from the field.

Maurice Watson Jr. led Boston University, scoring 13 points on 5-8 shooting from the floor.

UAlbany was just lucky that Jayson Guerrier came to play, scoring 11 points off the bench, in 11 minutes. Mike Black was just 1-9 and Jacob Iati was only 1-5 from the floor.

The Great Danes will need a much better half, in order to put another victory in their win total.

That's the headline for today's story which previews tonight's game between UAlbany (5-1, 16-4) and Boston University (3-3, 9-10).

Here is a link.

Jacob Iati is averaging just 8.0 points per game, but as you'll read, that doesn't make a difference as long as the Great Danes keep winning.

University at Albany coach Will Brown talks about the team's upcoming game against Boston University.

Mike McMahon/The Record

ALBANY - Joe Jones and his team don't talk about their postseason aspirations. That's because there's a slim chance his Boston University team will be playing in March this year.

It's not because the Terriers aren't any good. Boston University is not allowed to compete in the America East Conference postseason tournament, in any sport this season.

They aren't facing sanctions or dealing with the result of a recruiting scandal. They are simply leaving and the America East won't let them play any longer.

Boston University is headed for the Patriot League in 2013-14. The America East is citing the conference's bylaws, saying any school that has announced its intention to leave the league, won't be allowed to participate in postseason play.

“Certainly there was some frustration," said Jones, the men's basketball coach. "I think we all really felt for the seniors, on all the sports teams at BU.”

This isn't the only program going through this type of thing, but finding life much easier. The University at Albany football team is leaving the Northeast Conference. The Great Danes are the defending champions and will still be able to earn the league's postseason bid, despite announcing their intention to move to the Colonial Athletic Association next season.

The Loyola (Md.) men's basketball team is the defending Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champions. Their school is also headed to the Patriot League and they can still compete in this year's postseason tournament.

“No question you wish that the decision was different," said Jones, about his school's predicament. "But we have no control over that.”

Jones and his female counterpart, Kelly Greenberg, were in attendance on Tuesday at SEFCU Arena, as the conference celebrated media day. Their teams won't get the chance to take the floor, in March, when the postseason tournament comes to town.

These aren't bottom feeder programs. The men's squad is picked third, while the women's team was chosen second, in the preseason poll announced on Tuesday.

The men's team also lost its best player, senior Jake O'Brien, who transferred to Temple, following the ruling.

“I’ve been really impressed with how our guys have handled the decision," said Jones.

Jones, currently, doesn't have a single senior on his 11-man roster, so he knows he is building for the future, both in the America East and the Patriot League.

“I think they understand that we’re in this for two years together," he said.
 
Jones comes from the Ivy League, where there still is no postseason tournament. He knows that it can be tough to motivate a team towards the end of the season, if they are mathematically out of it. He also knows what it takes to do just that.

“Our leadership is very good on this team," Jones said.

The Boston University teams WILL be able to earn the automatic berth to the NIT/WNIT, which can be earned if a team wins its regular season and doesn't win the conference tournament. (Updated with word from America East spokesperson)

So even before the season begins, there is a small likelihood Boston University can reach the NCAA tournament. If the Terriers can win every game they play, they would surely get a chance to dance.

"I might retire if that happens," laughed Jones. 

Here is the final play from Monday's UAlbany/Boston University game, at SEFCU Arena.

ALBANY - The University at Albany played poor defensively in the second half, coughing up a 15-point halftime lead and in the process, losing a heartbreaker to Boston University, 81-78, on Monday evening.

The America East's most prolific offense played well for 35 minutes, but couldn't fire up, when the game was on the line.

The Great Danes scored just six points in the game's final five minutes, as they were outscored 11-6 to end the game.

UAlbany missed its final four shots, including two good looks from Gerardo Suero, who was right under the basket and missed four of its final six free throws.

"We had a couple good looks at the basket,” said UAlbany coach Will Brown.

Following the two Suero misses, Logan Aronhalt had a straightaway look at a 3-pointer that rimmed off.

“That could have been a dagger right there,” Brown said. 

To top it all off, the Great Danes didn't even get a look on the final possession, as John Puk call the ball at midcourt and looked for someone to pass to, with only two seconds to play.

Brown said that when the opposition goes on a run, his team's defense can disappear, along with its offense.

“If we have a lull, where the other team is scoring a little but – we turn it over or miss a couple shots, our defense seems to go south. It's hurt us a couple times right now."

 

UAlbany can blame this loss on its defense, which wasn't good in the final 20 minutes, but their normally explosive offense wasn't good at the end of the game. 

PARTIN VS SUERO: If I had to bet money on who would win the America East Player of the Year award (I don't and wouldn't) it would probably come down to UAlbany's Gerardo Suero or Boston University's Darryl Partin. 

Partin made me a believer, scoring a career-high 33 points, while Suero scored 28, bouncing back from the six-point outing he had against the Terriers earlier in the year. 

They are the league's two most dynamic players and they showed why on Monday evening. 

If it makes UAlbany fans feel any better and I'm sure it doesn't, Partin was asked about the Great Danes chances in the league tournament, even though they haven't beaten the three top teams. 

“When March comes, that doesn't matter at all," he said. "It's those three games.”

ALBANY - The University at Albany coughed up a big lead and lost another chance at a big victory on Monday evening.

The Great Danes allowed a 17-point lead to slip away and Boston University stole an 81-78 victory, at SEFCU Arena.

UAlbany blew a 16-point halftime lead at home, last season, to Boston University. This was a rough loss and the Great Danes (7-5, 15-11) were emotional afterwards.

The Terriers (9-3, 13-13) trailed by 16 points with 10 minutes to play, but a terrific performance from Darryl Partin brought Boston University back.

Partin finished with a game-high 33 points, finishing 12-for-17 from the field and giving his team its first lead, with 2:34 to play, on a 3-pointer, which put Boston University up 77-76.

The Great Danes were led by Gerardo Suero, who led four players in double figures with 28 points.

UAlbany, which plays next at New Hampshire on Thursday, went the game's final 2:34 without scoring.

ALBANY - UAlbany needed to play well Monday evening and they certainly did in the first half.

The Great Danes got a number of difference contributions in the first 20 minutes and never trailed in the first half.

UAlbany got 12 points apiece from Gerardo Suero and Jayson Guerrier. The Great Danes built a lead as big as 17 points, 46-29, when Guerrier hit two free throws in the final minute.

This game is shaping up to be one that UAlbany prefers to play. They are 11-1, when they score more than 75 points in a game and they are obviously on pace for that.

The Great Danes are playing very unselfish basketball, as they have 12 assists (seven for Mike Black) on 15 baskets. UAlbany also killed Boston University on the glass, outrebounding them 22-11 in the first half. 

The Terriers were led by Darryl Partin, who scored eight points and D.J. Irving added six.

J.S. Carras/The Record

UAlbany needs to prove something on Monday evening.

The Great Danes haven't beaten any of the three teams that sit above them in the standings, as they are 0-4 this season.

The Terriers won the game, earlier this season and will try to steal a game away from home.

With a win, UAlbany moves back into a third place tie, while with a loss, the Great Danes are going to have a tough time getting out of fourth place.

There was a good crowd at the Big Purple Growl, on Saturday, and I'm interested to see if those people w ill show for a Monday evening game.

UALBANY VS. BOSTON UNIVERSITY

When: Tonight, 7 p.m.
Where: SEFCU Arena (4,538), Albany
Radio: WOFX 980-AM
2011-12 Records: Boston University (8-3, 12-13) UAlbany (7-4, 15-10)
Last Meeting: Boston University 70, UAlbany 57, Agganis Arena, Boston, on Jan. 16, 2012 — Boston U. leads the all-time series 15-8

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS
BOSTON UNIVERSITY

No., Name, Pos., Yr., Ht., Avg.
13, D.J. Irving, G, So., 6-0, 12.1

1, Darryl Partin, G, Sr., 6-6, 19.6

24, Travis Robinson, F, So., 6-5, 5.1

25, Patrick Hazel, F, Sr., 6-6, 7.0

15, Dom Morris, F, So., 6-7, 6.4

UALBANY

No., Name, Pos., Yr., Ht., Avg. 
10, Mike Black, G, Jr., 6-0, 13.0
2, Logan Aronhalt, G, Jr., 6-3, 15.9
20, Gerardo Suero, G, Jr., 6-4, 21.6
11, Luke Devlin, F, So., 6-8, 6.3
21, Blake Metcalf, C, Jr., 6-8, 4.1

AMERICA EAST STANDINGS

School, Conference, Overall
Stony Brook, 10-1, 15-7

Vermont, 9-2, 15-10

Boston U., 8-3, 12-13

UAlbany, 7-4, 15-10

Maine, 5-5, 11-10

Hartford, 4-7, 4-19

New Hampshire, 3-7, 8-13

UMBC, 2-8, 3-19

Binghamton, 0-11, 0-23

Today’s Games

Boston U. at UAlbany, 7 p.m.

Vermont at Maine, 7 p.m.

Stony Brook at New Hampshire, 7 p.m.

Tuesday's Game

Hartford at UMBC, 7 p.m.

J.S. Carras/The Record

The University at Albany hits the small screen tonight, when they travel to Boston, to takes on the Terriers.

Here is a link to the game advance that ran in Monday's paper.

The game will be televised on CBS College Sports. That can be seen on Time Warner channel 1878 (HD). It is also available on the Dish and Verizon, I'm just not sure what the channel is.

It should be a good game, as both teams have just one league loss.

The key for the Great Danes will be carrying their great play over to the road.

Boston University have a terrific scorer, in senior Darryl Partin. UAlbany did a good job on the last 20-point scorer they saw, Maine's Gerald McLemore.

Will Brown said his team likes to hear that they are playing for first place. Now, let's see if they go out and play like a first place club.

UALBANY AT BOSTON UNIVERSITY

Where: Agganis Arena, (7,200), Boston

When: Tonight, 7 p.m.

TV: CBS College Sports (Don Criqui, Wally Szczerbiak)

Radio: WOFX – 980-AM (Rodger Wyland, Zach Bye)

Last Meeting: Boston U. 63, UAlbany 44, at Madison Square Garden, New York, on Feb. 10, 2011 – Boston U. leads the all-time series 14-8

Records: UAlbany (4-1, 12-7) Boston U. (3-1, 7-11)

Probable Starters

No, Player, Pos., Yr., Ht., Ppg

BOSTON U.

13, D. J. Irving, G, So., 6-0, 12.1

1, Darryl Partin, G, Sr., 6-6, 20.1

24, Travis Robinson, F, So., 6-5, 5.1

25, Patrick Hazel, F, Sr., 6-6, 7.2

15, Dom Morris, F, So., 6-7, 6.7

UALBANY

10, Mike Black, G, Jr., 6-0, 13.2

2, Logan Aronhalt, G, Jr., 6-2, 15.8

20, Gerardo Suero, G, Jr., 6-4, 22.4

11, Luke Devlin, F, So., 6-8, 6.5

21, Blake Metcalf, F, Jr., 6-9, 4.2

The University at Albany men's basketball team finished tied for third last season in the America East and there are hopes for an even higher finish around the Great Danes' camp this year.

That's not exactly what the rest of the coaches around the league are thinking, selecting UAlbany fourth in the 2011-12 America East preseason poll, on Thursday, at the conference's media day, in Hartford, Conn.

The Great Danes are selected to finish behind Boston University, Stony Brook and Vermont.

UAlbany finished last season with a 16-16 overall record, 9-7 in the America East.

Tim Ambrose, the team's leading scorer graduated, but the Great Danes return the core of the squad, a team looking for a strong season.

The UAlbany women's team is selected to finish fifth under second-year coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson.

Junior guard Ebone Henry was selected to the preseason all-conference team.

So I don't usually sit around the office just kicking ideas about where teams will finish in the league (at least not until February).

Here the cliff notes of this post - for if you don't have much time - UAlbany should prefer to finish fourth (or fifth) than third.

There's still a chance that UAlbany could finish third - if they win out and Maine loses at least two of three. The Great Danes could finish as high as 9-7 and Maine is currently 8-5. The two teams meet in Orono on Sunday, Feb. 27.

While there's no way to predict or choose where you finish, the Great Danes would be better served finishing fourth or fifth.

Here's why:

Vermont has all but wrapped up the No. 1 seed and the regular season championship.

UAlbany has a better chance to beat the Catamounts in the semifinals than they would at beating Boston University (the hottest team in America East and winners of five straight).

The Great Danes have always had a chance, when they play Vermont (see 2008 America East quarterfinal).

While both Vermont and Boston University swept UAlbany this season, the Great Danes played their best game (of those four) against the Terriers at home, leading by 16 at halftime, before losing by three.

The Terriers have adjusted to playing without Jake O'Brien, who I believe is out for the season. Boston University has rattled off 10 victories over their last 13 games and continue to get hotter, after Tuesday's 22-point victory over UMBC.

While there's still a quarterfinal matchup to worry about, I think that UAlbany's easiest path to the title game would be playing Vermont rather than Boston U.

From AP

ALBANY - This is a little late, but it's UAlbany coach Will Brown's opening statements after the 70-67 loss to Boston University.

The Great Danes (1-4, 8-12) are in action tonight against Stony Brook in what Brown stressed was a very important game for his team to win.

The game is on MSG+ at 5 p.m.

ALBANY - UAlbany turned it on of their best halves and then unfortunately one of their worst ones, blowing a huge lead and falling 70-67 to Boston University at home on Saturday.

The Great Danes (1-4, 8-12) led by 16 points at halftime, but the Terriers (3-1, 8-10) scored 48 points to narrowly take home the win.

John Holland finished with a game-high 27 points and Darryl Partin added 16 for Boston University, which won their first game on the road this season.

Tim Ambrose led three UAlbany players in double figures with 18 points.

The Great Danes hit the road on Monday to take on Stony Brook at 5 p.m., in a game that can be seen on MSG+.

ALBANY -The University at Albany Great Danes may have just played their best half of the America East portion of their schedule.

The Great Danes started 7-for-10 from the field and have led from the tip, apart from two ties.

Three players, Luke Devlin, Logan Aronhalt and Tim Ambrose each have eight points for UAlbany.

The Terriers stayed in the game with the 3-pointer, as they knocked down six in the half.

John Holland leads Boston University with 12 points.

UAlbany shot 51 percent (15-29) and has 11 assists and zero turnovers in the first half.

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.

Boston University is the team to beat according to the coaches on both the men's and women's sides of the America East Conference.

The Terriers picked up six of nine first place votes on the men's side and all but one vote on the women's side.

The University at Albany men were selected to finish eighth and the women's team was chosen seventh.

Here are the polls.


2010-11 Men's Preseason Poll
Rank Team (1st-place votes) Total Points
1. Boston U. (6) 62
2. Stony Brook (2) 57
3. Maine (1) 51
4. New Hampshire 41
5. Vermont 35
6 Hartford 24
7. Binghamton 23
8. Albany 22
9. UMBC 9


2010-11 Women's Preseason Poll
Rank Team (1st-place votes) Total
1. Boston University (8) 64
2. Hartford (1) 56
3. Binghamton 50
4. Stony Brook 39
5. UMBC 37
6. Vermont 30
7. Albany 18
8. Maine 17
9. New Hampshire 13