J.S. Carras - The Record

ALBANY - Mike Black and Blake Metcalf enjoyed the bus ride back from Webster Bank Arena on Saturday evening.

The University at Albany had just won its 20th game, becoming just the third team in the program's Division I history to do so.

Black and Metcalf can remember when they lost 20 games -- 25 to be exact, during their freshmen season (2009-10).

“It means a lot," said Black, a senior guard. It’s a good feeling to be one of the best teams in Albany history.”

The team also knows that the previous two teams to win 20 games, went on to play in the NCAA tournament.

“We hope we can continue the path," said Black.

During that freshman season, coach Will Brown decided to go with some of the young guys, including Black and Metcalf to try

“I think we struggled mightily that year," Brown said. "But I think it helped those guys develop, it helped them get better and they went from the poor season they had as freshmen to winning 16, 19 and then 20+. They’ve made great strides and they’ve developed and they helped this team and our program get back to where we want to get back to, which is winning 20+ games. I think Mike and Blake deserve a lot of credit for what they’ve endured and how hard they’ve worked.”

The team's win total has increased the past four seasons, doing so again this season after losing its top two scorers, Gerardo Suero and Logan Aronhalt, from last year.

“We’ve kept getting better," Black said. "We’ve kept putting work in and it’s good to see that all the hard work pay off.”

As their collegiate careers wind down, Black and Metcalf hope they can achieve one goal that has eluded them -- win an America East tournament title. To this point they've been a part of 62 victories and they hope a few more are on the horizon. 

“It’s been four great years," said Metcalf.

J.S. Carras - The Record

ALBANY - It wasn't the first time somebody had asked the question and Mike Black knows it won't be the last.

How will the University at Albany men's basketball team cope with the loss of its two top scorers from a season ago?

The question is even tougher since, both Gerardo Suero and Logan Aronhalt were slated to be part of the Great Danes this year. Suero left to play professionally and Aronhalt is now at the University of Maryland, for a graduate year of study.

“We wish them the best…They’re not here anymore," Black said. "We have a new team, new players and we’ll be fine.”

Suero and Aronhalt combined for 35.3 points per game last year. This year's team will likely be more concentrated on defense.

“We’ll find a way to make up that," Black said. "We’re going to be more defensive minded this year.”

Suero averaged 6.9 free throws made per game, something that coach Will Brown believes the team will miss greatly.

“That’s the only thing that I think we might miss from last year’s team is Suero’s ability to get to the free throw team,” Brown said.

Losing their two top scorers means everyone will have to step up, starting with Black.

“I think Mike’s as good as any player in the league," Brown said. "Mike will be our leading scorer, he’ll be our go-to guy. That’s already been addressed with this team, but his game doesn’t need to change.”

Black averaged 13.4 points per game last season, in addition to being the point guard and running the offense.

“I know I can score with the best," he said. 

UAlbany has three new players this season, all junior college transfers, in Dave Wiegmann, D.J. Evans and Gary Johnson.

Evans is a pest on defense and really quick, Johnson is a slasher, who can score and Wiegmann is a solid rebounder, hard worker and good shooter.

“We expect the new guys to contribute a lot this year," said Black.

The Great Danes know they were close last year, coming up short on a last-second shot by Stony Brook, in the semifinals. That is all the motivation they need to work hard in preparation for this year.

“It definitely did give me that extra motivation going into my senior year, knowing that this is my last chance and everything can change in 0.2 seconds," said senior Blake Metcalf.

University at Albany coach Will Brown makes his opening remarks on Monday about the departures of Gerardo Suero and Logan Aronhalt.




Gerardo Suero talks about his decision

Logan Aronhalt. talks about his decision.

ALBANY - What was expected to be a big loss for the University at Albany basketball team got even worse on Monday afternoon.

Gerardo Suero announced his intentions to put his name into the NBA Draft on Monday, which was expected after that news broke late Friday.

What wasn't expected was that Logan Aronhalt is leaving the Great Danes as well.

Aronhalt will leave to further his education, looking for a master's degree in a physical therapy field. UAlbany's second leading scorer said it was the most difficult decision of his life to leave his teammates, but that he needed to do it.

Aronhalt expects to play next season and will be eligible at the Division I level, if he selects a master's program which UAlbany does not offer.

Suero and Aronhalt were two of the top seven scores in the America East Conference last season. Suero averaged a league-best 21.5 points per game, good for Top 10 in the entire country. Aronhalt, who struggled through some injuries, still managed to average 13.8 points per game.

Suero isn't on any draft rader, but he is certaily a dynamic offensive player. 

"I am looking to pursue a professional career right now in my life whether it be in the NBA or overseas," Suero said, in a release by the school. "I just wanted to thank coach (Will Brown) for everything he has taught me up to this point. He was the one who was recruiting me when everyone else was not. I also want to thank the coaching staff and the players, especially, for helping get to where I am right now."

The departure of the two players leaves the Great Danes in a world of hurt offensively, as they combined for nearly 49 percent of the team's offense (35.3-72.1) throughout the season.

UAlbany does have three starters, Mike Black, Luke Devlin and Blake Metcalf.

The Record

ALBANY - Gerardo Suero burst onto the scene this past season at the University at Albany.

Suero, a junior college transfer, finished seventh in the nation in scoring (21.5 ppg) in 2011-12. It seemed like he would only get better in his second season for the Great Danes.

That will not happen.

Suero confirmed on twitter, on Friday, his 23rd birthday, that he will be leaving the program.

Suero set the program record for points in a single-season, finishing with 689 points and was also named a first team All-America East conference selection.

The Great Danes finished 19-15, losing to Stony Brook in the America East semifinals.

Junior Gerardo Suero talks about UAlbany's 63-45 victory over New Hampshire, in the America East quarterfinals.

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 - By the time Will Brown got into the locker room, Wednesday evening for the halftime break, no more shouting was needed.

The University at Albany trailed winless Binghamton 33-31, but the Great Danes had already been read the riot act...from one of their own.

While Brown was in the hallway talking to his assistants, reserve guard Jacob Iati went up and down his teammates, despite the fact that he only played briefly.

“It was music to my ears," said Brown, who surely would have let his team have it, for trailing a 0-19 team at intermission.

Iati was going bonkers according to Brown, letting his teammates know that they had to turn things around in the second half.

"I don't think anybody on our team, and these guys can disagree with me if they want," Brown said, motioning to Mike Black and Gerardo Suero, "wants to win more than that kid."

Brown said that Iati will be working for him one day because he cares so much about winning and putting the team first.

"He practices like its the national title every day," Brown said. "He wants to win. He tried to help his team win with his halftime message."

Iati's teammates were fine with him taking them to task.

“He's like our rah-rah guy,” said Black. 

Iati has only played 54 minutes this season and is averaging 1.2 points per game, but his effort and heart make him a joy to have on the team.

"You can't get enough guys like that, who just want to win," Brown said.

Sophomore Luke Devlin talks about the upcoming game against Vermont, and the team's most recent loss at Boston University.





Coach Will Brown talks about his decision to keep Gerardo Suero from talking to the media, which he went on to change his mind about.

J.S. Carras/The Record

ALBANY - Gerardo Suero hadn't scored less than 20 points in more than a month.

The University at Albany junior guard, who entered Wednesday's game fourth in the country in scoring (22.5 ppg), struggled by his standards, but the Great Danes still had a powerful offensive night, in the 86-63 victory over New Hampshire.

UAlbany was just 1-3, when Suero was held to less than 20 points coming into the game, but they got a very balanced effort on this night.

The last time Suero was held under 20, was in the 64-60 loss to Siena, back on Dec. 5. 

Coach Will Brown had his guys practicing hard the past two days, coming off the loss to Stony Brook and Suero was visibly tired on the floor, with his hands on his knees, even in the first half. 

He shot just 4-for-10 from the field in the first half and finished 6-for-17.

When Brown took him out of the game, in the waning minutes, he said to his star that he looked lethargic. 

"I was exhausted from the past two days" was Suero's response.

Suero was the only UAlbany player who played more than 30 minutes --31 to be exact -- in part because his family was at the game. It's only the fifth game his mother, brother and sister -- all native of the Dominican Republic -- have been able to see this season. 

"I kept him in there a little too long," Brown said. 

If UAlbany can beat any team by 23 with Suero having an "off" night, watch out.

ALBANY - John Gallagher has a very difficult job ahead of him.

The Hartford head coach is playing seven freshmen on a team that's 0-13, but he doesn't lack charisma and energy.

The Hawks coach made the analogy that his team is still fixing the plumbing, i.e. laying the groundwork, to be successful, while UAlbany is shopping for luxury items.

“The water's not running in our house yet," Gallagher said. "They've got the bath towels, the nice pictures and the interior designer over.”

The Great Danes played a solid game on Monday evening, in the 88-63 victory. They posted a season-high in points scored and had four players in double figures. 

“We defended our home court and you have to do that,” said UAlbany coach Will Brown. 

But what if the Great Danes didn't play their best on this night.

Luke Devlin was solid and John Puk (career-high 11 rebounds) played his best game of the year, but can UAlbany still get better?

Sure.

And that might be scary for America East Conference opponents.

Brown was quick to point out that his team shot 5-for-21 from beyond the arc and committed 17 turnovers, two stats not usually indicative of a team that won.

With talented offensive players and a player like Gerardo Suero, who seemingly scores 20 points every game, UAlbany has the ingredients to outscore its opponent on a nightly basis.

“They have weapons that score the basketball,” Gallagher said.

If the Great Danes can get everything going, they really will be a difficult team to handle for any of the other eight America East teams.

As we do when all years come to an end, we look back at the best performances and try to figure out what was the best.

I've covered Siena and UAlbany basketball for five seasons and put together what I think are the Top 10 moments of 2011.

See what you think...and let me know if I'm wrong (I'm not).


10. EVAN HYMES SCORES 30 (Nov. 19)
Siena point guard Evan Hymes has burst onto the scene this season. In just his second game, the diminutive point guard, who is starting because of a season-ending injury to Rakeem Brookins, went off. Hymes scored 30 points in a 65-53 victory that started the Siena 2011-12 season with back-to-back victories. Hymes was 9-for-17 from the floor and 9-for-14 from the free throw line.

9. MIKE BLACK DROPS CAREER-HIGH 26 ON MAINE (Feb. 27)
UAlbany's point guard is known more for distrubuting, but in the season finale last year Black torched Maine for a career-high 26 points in a 81-77 overtime victory. Black hit five 3-pointers, but also finished with five assists in the win, while playing 40 of the 45 minutes in the game.

8. CLARENCE JACKSON COMES OFF BENCH TO LIGHT UP MARIST (Jan. 14)
Clarence Jackson dealt with a long list of injuries during his senior season, but on this night he put the setbacks behind him and gave a clutch performance. Jackson finished with 19 points and hit five 3-pointers at the McCann Center as Siena took down rival Marist 66-59. Jackson finished 5-for-7 from beyond the arc.

7. UALBANY CLOBBERS BINGHAMTON 76-37 (Jan. 20)
The Great Danes and Bearcats have a good rivalry, both being SUNY schools. On this night, UAlbany let their state rivals have it, setting new Division I win margin, winning by 39, 76-37, over Binghamton. Mike Black led four Great Danes in double figures with 15 points. The Bearcats made just 12 field goals and shot 21 percent (12-57) from the floor.

6. ARONHALT & AMBROSE GO 20-20 on UMBC (Jan. 26)

Logan Aronhalt really burst onto the scene last season, overcoming a lot of injuries to have a breakthrough campaign. In this game, Aronhalt lit up University of Maryland-Baltimore Country for 28 points, while senior Tim Ambrose finished with 25 points in the 66-63 victory, down in Baltimore. Aronhalt and Ambrose combined to shoot 19-for-35 (54.3%) from the field in the game.  

5. UALBANY TAKES TALENTS TO MADISON SQUARE GARDEN (Feb. 11)

While this game wasn't a victory for the Great Danes, the UAlbany players got the thrill of a lifetime, as the team took the floor to play at the world's most famous arena. Boston University picked up the 63-44 win, but it's a moment that the Great Danes and Terriers both will remember forever. Tim Ambrose led the way for UAlbany with 13 points. 

4. RYAN ROSSITER BECOMES SIENA'S TOP REBOUNDER (Feb. 7)

Ryan Rossiter broke a lot of records and had a terrific senior season for Siena. On this night, Rossiter only put up 23 points and 20 rebounds in a 76-69 loss to Loyola (Md.). In the process, Rossiter became the Saints all-time leading rebounder, passing Lee Matthews ('93). Rossiter, who ended his career with 1,151 boards, finished with nine offensive rebounds on this night. 

3. GERARDO SUERO DROPS 31 ON SYRACUSE (Nov. 15)

Gerardo Suero really burst onto the scene this season, proving that he is one of the top newcomers in the America East and possibly the country. UAlbany lost on this night to Syracuse, 98-74, but Suero scored a game-high 31 points against the Orange's vaunted zone defense. Suero was 9-for-16 from the floor and 11-for-12 from the free throw line, in just his third game for the Great Danes.

2. O.D. ANOSIKE LETS HIS PLAY DO THE TALKING (Dec. 5)

Siena junior center O.D. Anosike caught the attention of nearly everyone in the Captial District when he said he thought Siena was still the favorite, heading into the Albany Cup matchup. Anosike backed it up, scoring 21 points and grabbing 18 rebounds as the Saints regained the bragging rights with a 64-60 victory. Following the game, Coach Mitch Buonaguro said he hoped Anosike would tweet less, while Anosike who hadn't tweeted the original statement, was just happy with the victory.

1. RYAN ROSSITER GIVES HOMETOWN CROWD ONE LAST THRILL (Feb. 27)

Ryan Rossiter gave the hometown Albany crowd one more thing to cheer about, in the final home game of his career. Rossiter finished with a career-high 34 points and 11 rebounds in a 81-73 victory over Marist. There's not much more you can say about Rossiter, as a week later, he was honored with the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Player of the Year award.

Honorable Mention:

• Ryan Rossiter 26 pts. 15 reb. in victory over Iona – Jan. 3 (Siena 1,000^th win)
• Siena's Jonathan Breeden scores 24 pts vs. Iona in loss – Feb. 11
• UAlbany's Jayson Guerrier 28 pts, 10 reb. vs. Monmouth – Nov. 21
• Gerardo Suero 29 pts. vs. Colgate – Dec. 7
• Ambrose 15 pts 14 reb. 52-50 @ Stony (3^rd double-double, career-high rebounds) - Jan. 17
• Luke Devlin 11 pts & 11 reb. In victory over Hartford – Feb. 5
• Ambrose 22 pts in victory over Stony (past 1,500 career pts) – Feb. 14

J.S. Carras/The Record

University at Albany junior guard Gerardo Suero has been voted America East Player of the Week, for the second time this season.

Suero averaged 20.5 points last week, in games against Siena and Colgate.

Suero is third in the league in points scored, trailing only Boston University's Darryl Partin (22.7) and Maine's Gerald McLemore (22.0).

Suero is 17th nationally in scoring and one of just 25 players nationwide, averaging at least 20.0 points per game. 

Suero is also sixth best in the conference in field goal percentage, shooting 51.6 percent (56-108) from the field.

The Great Danes are off this week, during final exams and get back to the floor on Satutday, against Cornell.

ALBANY - The pain of losing any game is tremendous.

When you lose a game, many thought you would win and to your biggest rival, it stings even more.

You could tell that's exactly how the University at Albany players felt on Monday night, letting a huge lead disappear, in a 64-60 Siena victory.

"It was one of the most frustrating games of my career," said junior guard Logan Aronhalt, of the locker room scene following the game.

The Great Danes pointed to a lack of aggression in the second half that caused to their demise.

"We were attacking their zone, we were confident," said junior guard Mike Black, of the team's play in the first half.

For some reason, UAlbany just started settling for shots and when they weren't falling, they lost their edge. 

"We just stopped being aggressive and they got every rebound they wanted," Aronhalt said.

Aronhalt and Black and leading scorer Gerardo Suero combined to shot just 17-for-43 (39.5 percent) and only attempted five free throws.

Suero, who had been making a killing from the free throw line, attempted just two, as he wasn't rewarded as much as in games past, for drawing contact on the way to the basket.

In the end, it's a crushing loss for the Great Danes, but I think it'll make them work harder.

This could be a case of a team that heard people saying they should win and they started believing it.

I'm sure coach Will Brown will have them back on the floor working hard and getting ready for the Colgate game, which is Wednesday.

AP

After five road game, the University at Albany men's basketball team opens up the home portion of the schedule Friday afternoon, against Navy.

It's not great timing, as most of the students are likely home for Thanksgiving break, but there could be a good crowd because the Great Danes have shown a lot of offensive firepower so far this season.

UAlbany has already had three leading scorers in its five games (Logan Aronhalt, Jayson Guerrier & Gerardo Suero). The Great Danes are averaging 67.6 points per game, despite scoring just 46 in the last game against George Mason.

Here is a link to the game advance that ran in Friday's edition of The Record.

It'll be interesting to see how UAlbany bounces back against a Navy that has lost three in a row, including the Siena's season-opener, back on Nov. 16.

The Great Danes are certainly the favorite today, but they have to go out and take care of business.

AP

All Will Brown could was shrug his shoulders, while sitting on the bench Tuesday evening.

His team continued to get good shots, but again and again, they came up short.

“Outside of the first five minutes of the game, we got whatever shot we wanted from where we wanted and just could not knock them down,” Brown said. “Which was a shock to me because of the guys we had on the floor.”

The Great Danes shot 16-for-61 (26.2 percent) from the floor, in a 66-46 loss, to the Patriots, but it wasn't for a lack of effort.

“I guess, when it rains, it pours,” Brown said.

Brown actually said that, in his 11 years at UAlbany, he had never seen one of his teams miss so many good looks.

A couple of sequences really bothered Brown.

One was when Logan Aronhalt, Mike Black and Gerardo Suero all missed open 3-pointers and then George Mason made a long shot at the end of the shot clock.

Another was when Black missed a layup and the Patriots went the other way, scoring and getting a foul. George Mason missed the free throw and they scored again to turn what could have been a 9-point deficit into a 15-point margin.

“I think we can beat that team if we play them again,” Brown said.

The Great Danes open the home portion of the schedule, with Navy, at 4 p.m., on Friday.

Courtesy UAlbany Athletics

I'm literally just getting my first look at the University at Albany's boxscore, from tonight's game against Monmouth.

The Great Danes clobbered the Hawks 85-49.

How about the night for junior college transfer Jayson Guerrier (left).

Some very good players might never have a night where they go 9-for-10 from the floor, including hitting five treys, finishing with a career-high 28 points, while also grabbing 10 rebounds.

That's what Guerrier did tonight.

So far it looks like coach Will Brown has struck gold with JuCo transfers Guerrier and Gerardo Suero, who was named America East Player of the Week, but only scored 16 points on Monday (that's his lowest total of his college career).

Mike Black added nine points and nine assists, while Ralph Watts scored 12 points, off the bench. It was a quiet night for Logan Aronhalt, who fouled out with just five points.

Courtesy UAlbany Athletics

The Great Danes seem to be getting harder and harder to try and scout because they've had five players (Suero, Guerrier, Watts, Black, Aronhalt) score in double figures already this season and they still aren't totally healthy.

UAlbany (2-2) will be run in to much more of a test on Tuesday, when they take on the host Patriots from George Mason (3-2).

Ryan Pearson is averaging 20.8 points per game, while Vertrail Vaughns is averaging 15.0 points and Sherrod Wright is checking in at 11.8 points per game.

The Patriots are coached by former Siena coach Paul Hewitt, who is in his first season after being fired from Georgia Tech. 

The way UAlbany is playing this should be a good game.

The University at Albany is back on the road this evening, competing in the third and fourth rounds of the Preseason NIT Tip-Off.

The Great Danes take on Monmouth (0-3), at the Patriot Center, on the campus of George Mason University. UAlbany will play the Patriots on Tuesday evening.

Here is a link to my story about the team heading back on the road, focusing on sophomore Luke Devlin, as he continues to return from offseason back surgery.

On paper, UAlbany should be favored to beat the Hawks, who have lost their three games by an average of 37.7 points per game.

Monmouth has played Villanova, Virginia Tech and George Mason, so they have played some very difficult competition.

The talk surrounding the Great Danes continues to be about Gerardo Suero, who is averaging 25.7 points per game through his first three career games for UAlbany.

These back-to-back games will challenge the Great Danes.

SYRACUSE - The University at Albany certainly didn't win on Tuesday evening, but they took a step in the right direction.

Gerardo Suero scored a game-high 31 points and Logan Aronhalt added 20, but the Great Danes dropped to 1-2, on the year.

Suero's total was the most by an opposing player, at the Carrier Dome, since Cornell's Ryan Wittman scored 33, back in 2008.

He also scored the most points for a UAlbany player, since Jason Siggers scored 34 against Vermont, back in 2007.

Here are postgame reactions from Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim and UAlbany coach Will Brown.

ALBANY - University at Albany coach Will Brown didn't have much to figure out about his starting lineup.

Brown selected the final piece to the initial puzzle on Wednesday, saying that junior college transfer Gerardo Suero (right) will be the fifth starter.

Suero will replace another Our Savior New American School grad in Tim Ambrose, who was the team's leading scorer last year.

Suero will join Logan Aronhalt, Mike Black, John Puk and Luke Devlin to form the starting five for the Great Danes in 2011-12.

"He's so talented offensively," Brown said, of the 6-foot-4 Suero. "He can do some many things that other guys can't."

While Brown has been impressed with what he's seen so far, he knows that there will be a transition period for Suero.

"We have to realize that there is going to be an adjustment period for him," Brown said.

Especially with a difficult starting schedule that includes Pitt and possibly Syracuse, Brown admits it could take some time for Suero to get adjusted.

It should help having four other starters who are familiar with their roles.

Suero has had a lot to learn since arriving at UAlbany and the native of the Dominican Republic has faced another obstacle -- a language barrier.

"He can speak English," Brown said. "The problems with him is, it's on the move, it's talking quickly, it's all that different stuff...sometimes I think his mind is spinning."

If Suero is anything like former UAlbany players who attended Our Savior New American (on Long Island), Ambrose and all-time leading scorer Jamar Wilson, then he'll be a player Great Danes fans will enjoy cheering for the next two seasons.

"He's got special ability," Brown said.