Like their female counterparts, the University at Albany men's basketball team is receiving votes in the College Insider Mid-Major Top 25.

Both Great Danes' teams are the defending America East champions and both squads open the 2013-14 season against Siena on Friday.

Will Brown's team went 24-11 last season, losing to Duke in the NCAA tournament, round of 64, in Philadelphia.

Two other America East teams are receiving votes, in Stony Brook and Vermont. The Catamounts, who lost to UAlbany in the title game last year, were picked as the No. 1 team in the America East preseason poll. 

The women's team was ranked No. 22 in the opening poll and are two-time defending league champions. 

The University at Albany women's basketball program was picked first in the America East preseason poll.

The two-time defending league champions also are receiving some nationally recognition. The Great Danes are ranked No. 22 in the first CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 poll.

UAlbany has finished 50-14 over the past two seasons under coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson. Despite, losing some key pieces, they are expected to keep rolling along.

The University at Albany takes on Quinnipiac, on Friday, at SEFCU Arena.

The Great Danes (9-2) are ranked No. 21 in the College Insider Mid-Major Top 25, and have won six consecutive games.

Below, senior captain Blake Metcalf talks about the game.

AP

The University at Albany is riding a 5-game winning streak and they continue to play well to start the 2012-13 season.

The win streak is the longest since Nov. 19-Dec. 1, 2008.

If they can beat South Carolina State, they will extend past five games for the first time since Jan. 15-Feb. 7, 2007, which was an 8-game winning streak during a 23-10 season that saw them punch a trip to the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive season.

UAlbany has already defeated South Carolina State, 83-55, earlier in the year.

Since the Great Danes won at Colgate, on Saturday, a lot has happened.

Mike Black, who turned 22 on Sunday, was named America East Player of the Week. I also wrote a feature story about him that appeared in Sunday's paper.

Also, UAlbany jumped to No. 22 in the College Insider Mid-Major Top 25 poll, the highest the program has ever been ranked.

Below, coach Will Brown talks about the game.