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.

UAlbany junior guard Logan Aronhalt talks about the status of his knee injury.

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.”

UAlbany junior Logan Aronhalt talks about the upcoming game against Hartford

Jeff Couch/The Record

ALBANY - It was only minutes after Thursday night's game at Vermont, when Logan Aronhalt was overcome with emotion.

How could he not be?

The University at Albany's junior guard had just netted his 1,000th career point and had an ankle that was swelling up after he rolled it in the second half.

On top of that, it was only hours before he would return to Ohio, for the funeral of his grandfather.

“It was definitely a tough week for me," said Aronhalt, before Tuesday's practice.

Aronhalt returned to Zanesville on Friday morning, getting there just in time for the services. 

“Outside of his dad, that was his closest relative to him," said UAlbany coach Will Brown. "He was a basketball junkie.”

Aronhalt, who has started his graduate classes at UAlbany, will be recognized for scoring his 1,000th point before Wednesday's game against Binghamton.

“Scoring 1,000 points is a tremendous honor," he said. "I’m very excited about that. I’d like to thank my teammates and my coaches. They’ve helped me tremendously through the rough times, especially  last week.”

After Aronhalt scored his milestone point, on a 3-pointer from the corner, the Vermont public address announcer made an annoucement at the next dead ball. While Vermont and UAlbany are big rivals, Aronhalt appreciated that gesture.

“I think that shows the respect that we have for each other," he said. "It seems like every time we play, it’s a battle to the end, but I think there’s a lot of respect there and that showed it.”

Aronhalt returned to campus on Sunday evening, but didn't practice Monday because of the ankle and Brown said it would likely be a game-time decision if Aronhalt would suit up.

My guess is you'll see No. 2 out there on the floor for the Great Danes.

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

ALBANY - Logan Aronhalt is no stranger to ice.

The University at Albany junior has been dealing with some issues in his right knee for the past few weeks and makes it a routine to ice the knee as often as possible.

Usually that means ice is on the knee two or three times per day, to keep it from swelling and also keep it loose. 

“I'm going to as much as I can to take care of my body and alleviate the pain,” said Aronhalt, on Thursday.

Aronhalt has some microfractures in the knee and is hoping to avoid surgery until after the season.

"The pain is tolerable right now," he said.

Aronhalt says that if he stays in one position for more than an hour the knee locks up, even when he's sleeping. 

Aronhalt is the Great Danes' leading scorer, averaging 15.2 points per game, so he needs to be out on the floor.

“We have to do what's best for his health," said. UAlbany coach Will Brown. "Having him on the floor makes us better as a team.”

Aronhalt and UAlbany take on Dartmouth on Friday, at 2 p.m.

J.S. Carras/The Record

ALBANY - University at Albany coach Will Brown had spoke of an undisclosed injury, just before the Siena game.

On Friday, he said what he had withheld two weeks ago.

Junior guard Logan Aronhalt has a right knee issue that could force him to have offseason surgery.

“We’re just trying to get him through to March, without having to do (the surgery) now,” Brown said.

Aronhalt, who is averaging 14.9 points per game, started to see his knee problem flare up just before the Siena game.

The Great Danes have been off the past 10 days and Aronhalt has practiced a little bit.

“He’s practiced, but he hasn’t been Logan,” Brown said.
 
Aronhalt will be able to continue to play, as long as he doesn't take a direct hit to the knee.

“He wants to be out there," Brown said. "He wants to be with his teammates. He wants to keep a good rhythm, but after watching him this past week, we need to give him some time off.”

Brown said his plan for Aronhalt is to play Saturday against Cornell, not practice Sunday and then play again on Monday, against St. Francis (NY).

Brown said that Aronhalt has been practicing, but he'll have to reduce that to make sure he can last until March.

“He’s a tough kid and wants to practice every day.”

Aronhalt has a condition called Osgood-Schlatter, but also has some microfractures between the tibia and the patella.

Brown said that Aronhalt wanted no part of surgery, which would have likely had him sidelined for at least two months

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.

ALBANY - The news isn't good for University at Albany sophomore center John Puk.

Puk (44) underwent a surgical procedure on Thursday to deal with swelling in his left shin.

"They split that baby open," Brown said.

They had to get the poison, puss and blood out of the shin and they will take another look, during halftime of Saturday's football game.

"We should see great progress in the nest 48 hours," Brown said. "If we don't see much in the nesxt 48 hours, then we have to look at the next alternative, which I haven't discussed with our doctors or (trainer) Jay (Geiger) yet."

Puk will miss time, Brown is just unsure of how much time it will be.

"I'm not thinking worst-case," Brown said. "I'm thinking best-case right now and I don't know what the best case is right now."

As far as short-term, Brown said he could go back to a lineup he used on the team's Canada trip, in August, and play Logan Aronhalt at a forward positon, when the Danes take on Monmouth and George Mason, Monday and Tuesday, in the continuation of the Preseason NIT Tip-Off.

Brown also said that freshman guard Peter Hooley (foot) is out indefinitely and junior guard Mike Black (ankle) won't practice today or Saturday.

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.

University at Albany junior guard Logan Aronhalt talks about beginning the 2011-12 season.

ALBANY - When University at Albany coach Will Brown selected two sophomores -- Blake Metcalf (left, 21) and Logan Aronhalt -- as captains prior to the 2010-11 season, it came with some intrigue.

Now, the two juniors have a season of leading under their belts and feel more comfortable leading the way for the Great Danes.

"As a junior, you feel so much more comfortable saying something to the younger guys and saying something to guys who are the same age as me," said Metcalf, at the team media day, on Wednesday. "That one year made a big difference in my leadership."

Metcalf says he feels more comfortable leading and knows his role is to make sure the team has its focus up, is competing hard and continues to practice and play with high energy.

"This year, I feel a lot more comfortable calling a guy out from missing a play or doing something wrong," he said. "Also, it adds more pressure on me to not make any mistakes."

Metcalf credits assistant coach Brent Wilson with helping him grow as a leader.

"Coach Wilson has really been a great help to me," Metcalf said. "He's really trying to show me steps to take to become a better leader."

Metcalf knows that it's during the preseason and during practice, where leaders are most critical.

"Practice is where the leadership steps in and where I really feel that I need to be vocal," he said.

The Great Danes are in a great position to have a solid season, but they need players to lead them, especially when there are no seniors on the roster.

"You have to be able to put your foot down," Metcalf said. "Especially, now, as a junior."

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.