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.

ALBANY - As Hartford coach John Gallagher prepared to leave the team hotel on Saturday afternoon, he was watching a friend coach his team, on television.

Iowa coach Fran McCaffery grew up in the same neighborhood in Philadelphia as Gallagher and the first-year Hawks head coach watched McCaffery's team battle against Indiana.

"They fought Indiana like it was a fist fight," Gallagher said.

Iowa ended up beating Indiana, 64-63, for the Hawkeyes third Big Ten victory of the season.

Putting up a fight is what Gallagher said he wants his team to do, especially without leading scorer and rebounder Morgan Sabia, who is out with a knee injury.

Gallagher's wife, Geneva went to Notre Dame with Margaret McCaffery, Fran's wife.

"I know Fran," Gallagher said. "I know Margaret. I know the whole family. I'm recruiting the boys right now."