BURLINGTON, Vt. - I woke early and have arrived at the University of Vermont's Patrick Gym for today's America East championship game.

UAlbany (23-10) and Vermont (21-10) battle for a spot in the NCAA tournament. The game starts at 11:30 a.m., and can be seen on ESPN2.

The Great Danes have never lost in the America East championship game, beating Vermont twice. The Catamounts are the defending tournament champions, beating Stony Brook last season.

As a fourth seed, UAlbany would be the lowest seed in America East history to capture the tournament title.

Mike Black is just nine points away from moving into fifth on the program's all-time scoring list. He currently has 1,518 points.

Below is a picture of the gym, two hours before game time. It will look much different soon. 

The University at Albany is headed to the America East championship game, following a thrilling 61-59 victory over top-seeded Stony Brook.

Below, Mike Black's scored the game-winning basket with 2.4 seconds to play and then the crowd storms the court at SEFCU Arena.  



Here, Black talks about the victory.

The America East men's awards were handed out on Friday evening.

The big winners were all from Stony Brook, as the Seawolves took home the Coach of the Year (Steve Pikiell), Player of the Year (Tommy Brenton) and Rookie of the Year (Jameel Warney).

University at Albany senior guard Mike Black was named to the first team, along with Brenton, D.J. Irving (Boston University), Mark Nwakamma, Brian Voelkel (Vermont).

The Great Danes also saw Peter Hooley be named to the all-rookie team and both Jacob Iati and Sam Rowley were named to the all-academic team. 

Below are the rest of the awards.

1ST-TEAM ALL-LEAGUE: Mike Black, D.J. Irving, Mark Nwakamma, Tommy Brenton, Brian Voelkel.

2ND-TEAM ALL-LEAGUE: Justin Edwards, Alasdair Fraser, Ryan Cook, Jameel Warney, Clancy Rugg. 

3RD-TEAM ALL-LEAGUE: Jordan Reed, Dom Morris, Maurice Watson Jr,, Dave Coley, Sandro Carissimo.

ALL-DEFENSIVE: Mike Allison, Jameel Warney, Dave Coley, Tommy Brenton, Brian Voelkel.

ALL-ROOKIE: Peter Hooley, Jordan Reed, John Papale, Maurice Watson Jr., Jameel Warney.

ACADEMIC TEAM: Jacobi Iati, Sam Rowley Luke Apfeld, Sandro Carissimo, Scott Morris.

University at Albany players Mike Black and Sam Rowley talk about Thursday night's victory over New Hampshire.

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.

AP

ALBANY - By the end of the season, Mike Black and Jacob Iati may be able to write a book about their numerous injuries.

Iati drove Black to the SEFCU Arena on Thursday -- the University at Albany guards didn't discuss Black's recently rolled ankle or Iati's arthritic Achilles'.

The two had a lot of time ahead of them to discuss injuries, as the team boarded an evening bus taking them to Maine, a day early due to the impending storm.

“I guess we’ll have a gimp competition, on the way to Maine, on the bus," said Iati, before the Great Danes practice.

Black sprained the ankle in Wednesday's 79-56 victory at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County.

UAlbany's senior guard only played nine minutes (scored nine points) and was really a non-factor. While he's said to be day-to-day, this quote may hint at Black's status for Saturday's game at Maine.

“If he can play, he’s got to be able to start and he’s got to be able to play heavy minutes," coach Will Brown said.

Brown said the team will prepare as if Black will not play, but they will "play it by ear."

Black hasn't missed any games this season, but he has been taken out of a game because of a hip injury and was slowed in one other game due to food poisoning.

“I thought both games we played well without him," Brown said. "We have played without him, obviously we’re better with him.”

Black will receive round-the-clock treatment from trainer Jay Geiger.

“I’m going to get him as ready as I can," Geiger said.

Geiger said there was a thought of him driving Black home from the game last night, since injuries like an ankle sprain tend to swell with the up-and-down of an airplane, but in the end that wasn't necessary.

Geiger will treat him with a number of different things, including electric treatment, ice, light therapy and he spent time in the whirlpool before the team departed.

Still, Geiger was not totally sure if Black would play, saying everything is a little different on gameday.

The adrenaline -- I wish I had a box of that in the training room," he said.

If Black doesn't play, he would get an additional week to recover, as the Great Danes don't play against until next Saturday (Feb. 16), when they host Hartford.

“Obviously, our best team is with Mike on the floor," Brown said. "But we want to make sure one, he’s healthy enough to play, two, he’s healthy enough where he can make an impact and three, he’s not going to hurt himself any further.”

UAlbany coach Will Brown talks about his team's upcoming game against Stony Brook and the struggles of top player Mike Black.



UAlbany redshirt freshman Peter Hooley talks about the Stony Brook game.

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

AP

ALBANY - Peter Hooley knew that Hartford was in trouble as soon as he made his first few shots on Saturday evening.

Hooley posted career-highs in both points (18) and rebounds (12) on the way to his first career double-double, as the University at Albany downed Hartford 56-46.

“I would say everything, regarding me, is confidence," said Hooley on Monday.

Hooley's insertion into the starting lineup has been met with much success for the Great Danes (5-1, 16-4), who are now in first place in the America East, following Vermont's loss Tuesday evening at Maine.

“He creates a lot of stuff for us in our offense," said fellow guard Jacob Iati.

Hooley was going up against a familiar face on Saturday, in Hawks sophomore Corban Wroe, also a native of Australia.

When Hooley got off to such a good start, Wroe was surprised.

“You’re not supposed to be able to score the ball," he said.

“Funny how things change," Hooley told his "good mate" from back home.

UAlbany is 4-0 since Hooley and Sam Rowley moved into the starting lineup and those two have been very productive.

Hooley gets the rim effortlessly and as coach Will Brown said, he was playing north/south and attacking the basket on Saturday.

“If teams are going to shadow Jacob or shadow Mike (Black), there’s going to be a lot of openings for Peter to drive the ball," said Brown.

Hooley was set to make an impact last season before a stress fracture in his left foot kept him out after the first three games, forcing him to redshirt. Hooley was kept off the court for seven months and all he could do was lift.

“People don’t realize he’s still a freshman," said Brown.

Hooley was recruited for his all-around game, but he showed he can shoot the ball a little, making three treys in the Hartford win. 

“He’s a rhythm shooter," Brown said. "When he can get his feet set, he shoots it well.”

Hooley said he's at his best when he keeps everything simple.

“I always forget that I’m a freshman and I still have a lot to learn," he said.

Hooley has shown his passing prowess throughout the year. He's got 54 assists, second only to Black (58) on the team.

“When I was scoring a lot of points earlier in the year, I said a bunch of times it was because of Pete and Mike," Iati said. "I always threw him in the mix because he gets to the rim great.”

Hooley hasn't reached his potential and that could be a scary thought for opposing teams in the America East.

“Peter’s his own worst enemy," Brown said. "When he maintains his focus, he’s tough to handle.”

University at Albany senior point guard Mike Black talks about the team's upcoming America East Conference home game against Maine.

J.S. Carras - The Record

ALBANY - The mood in the UAlbany locker room at Patrick Gymnasium, in Burlington, Vt., last Saturday afternoon was one of shock.

The Great Danes were expecting a early-season battle for first place -- what they got was a massacre, a 70-45 loss, and they left with their pride diminished.

“Even Ohio State didn’t beat us like that," said senior point guard Mike Black. "It was shocking, heartbreaking. It was an eye-opener for us that day.”

UAlbany's next league game wasn't a must-win, it was only the third conference game, but that's how Monday's game against Binghamton felt.

“It was a must-win game in reality," said sophomore Sam Rowley, who scored 21 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, as the Great Danes bounced back with a 71-59 victory over the Bearcats.

In reality it wasn't a true must-win, but UAlbany needed to get back to its winning ways.

“We just needed to play," said coach Will Brown. "The way we played at Vermont wasn’t the way we’ve played all year long. We let them get in a comfort zone, we never got in any type of rhythm and we played on our heels the whole game. You live and you learn.”

In the midst of winter break, the team has been fully focused on basketball and they found out the best way to bounce back from a crushing defeat.

“The best way to move on from a loss is get a win the day or two days after," said Rowley. 

The Great Danes (2-1, 13-4) face another stiff challenge, when they host Maine (2-1, 7-9) on Saturday.

ALBANY - The University at Albany picked up its first America East Conference victory on Wednesday evening.

Jacob Iati and Mike Black combined for 32 points and the Great Danes (1-0, 12-3) won with relative ease, knocking of UMBC 65-48.

Next up, is a big test against Vermont, on Saturday afternoon, at Patrick Gym.

Below, University at Albany guards Mike Black and Jacob Iati talk about the team's 70-61 victory over South Carolina State. The Great Danes (9-2) have now won six straight games.

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.

ALBANY - It's getting harder and hard to not believe in this University at Albany men's basketball team.

The Great Danes won their fourth straight game and are now 7-2 on the season, following a 77-73 victory over St. Francis Brooklyn.

Senior point guard Mike Black scored a matched game-high honors with 21 points, while Jacob Iati added 20 for UAlbany, which next plays at Colgate, on Saturday.

The Great Danes are getting solid contributions, on a nightly basis, from a lot of different players and that's what's making them so tough to beat.

On this night, Blake Metcalf grabbed 13 rebounds, while Peter Hooley scored nine points and dished out four assists off the bench and Jayson Guerrier had six points and four rebounds in only 12 minutes. D.J. Evans also chipped in with eight points and two assists in 10 minutes.

Below, Black talks about the game.

ALBANY - The University at Albany is currently the kings of the Capital District.

Just hours after the women's team defeated Siena handily, 65-48, the men's team came out and led for the entire second half on the way to a 69-56 win.

The Great Danes have now won two of the last three matchups, while the women's team has won three straight over Siena.

Mike Black scored 13 points, all of which came in the second half, while Jacob Iati added 13 of his own points for the Great Danes (6-2).

Rob Poole scored a game-high 19 points for the Saints (2-6).

Siena takes on St. Bonaventure on Tuesday, while UAlbany hosts St. Francis (NY) on Wednesday evening.

University at Albany senior guard Mike Black fought through a stomach ache to leave Wagner feeling sick on Monday night.

Black scored a team-high 19 points, 16 of which came in the second half and 14 of which came in the game's final 11 minutes, as the Great Danes improved to 5-2, with a 66-63 victory over the Seahawks.

Here is a link to the game story. 

UAlbany now has the rest of the week off, until Saturday's big matchup against Siena.

J.S. Carras/The Record

University at Albany senior point guard Mike Black talks about Monday's upcoming home game against Wagner.

AP

The University at Albany men's basketball team made some national noise on Tuesday evening, as they defeated Washington, 63-62.

“There’s not too many wins that are better than that," said UAlbany coach Will Brown, once the team finally arrived home, on Wednesday afternoon. 

Here is a link to the story from the Associated Press.

Here is a link to a game story from the Seattle Times. Here is a link to a column from the Seattle Times.

The Great Danes picked up their first victory over a BCS school in what some headlines have referred to as the "Seattle Stunner."

This is no doubt the best non-conference victory in the program's history and some could argue that it is the best victory ever, knocking off the defending Pac-12 champs, on their home floor. 

AP

Below Coach Brown talks about the upset.



Below senior point guard Mike Black talks about the upset over Washington.

SEATTLE — Mike Black’s layup, in the waning moments Tuesday evening, clinched the biggest non-conference victory in the history of the University at Albany men’s basketball program.

AP

Black’s basket, with four seconds remaining, helped the Great Danes down defending Pac-12 champion Washington, 63-62, at Alaska Airlines Arena.

“These guys played so hard,” said UAlbany coach Will Brown. “I can’t tell you how proud I am.”

The Great Danes (2-1) trailed by one, with 12 seconds left, when Brown called timeout and set up the final play.

Black, who finished with a game-high 22 points, drove and scored to give UAlbany its first victory over a BCS school.

Jacob Iati also had a huge game for the Great Danes, finished with 20 points and six 3-pointers

“He’s gutty,” Brown said. “He’s doing a great job for us.”

The Huskies (1-1) were led by Abdul Gaddy, who finished with 16 points. Gaddy had a chance to win the game for Washington, but his desperation 3-pointer was off the mark.

UAlbany improves to 2-2 against current members of the Pac-12, but its previous victory over Utah, came in 2006, when the school was part of the Mountain West Conference. The Great Danes are now 1-27 against BCS schools. 

“It’s awesome,” Brown said. “It’s a real good effort by our guys.”

The Great Danes return home tomorrow and head to Mohegan Sun this weekend for two games. UAlbany takes on Missouri-Kansas City on Saturday, at 2:30 p.m. 

AP