ALBANY - Will Brown was exhausted following Tuesday's game against Brown.

He's usually a little tired following a game, but this game went nearly 2 and 1/2 hours.

"I felt like I coached a doubleheader," said Brown, following the 74-68 victory.

Mike McMahon/The Record

With good reason. His UAlbany team shot a whopping 46 free throws, making 35 (76%), while Brown shot 33 free throws, making 17 (51%).

There was a lot made in the preseason about the referees calling the game tighter, in order to allow for more offensive flow and more scoring, to make for a better game.

“I don’t think anything was wrong with the game, going into it," said Brown, candidly, following Friday's practice.

The NCAA was hoping the new rules would give an advantage to the offense, but it seems to have just slowed everything down, turning some games into a whistle-fest.

“From a fans perspective, they don’t want to see free throws," Brown said. "They want to see teams play. They want teams to see free flow.” 

The referees are also being graded on if they call games by the "new" rules, which is leading to some games having more fouls.

“Some of these calls, they make you scratch you head," Brown said. "It all comes down to, you better move your feet."

In the game against Brown, there were a couple charge calls that Coach Brown thought should go the other way.

“That was like last year’s rules, but everything else was this year’s new rules," he said. "It’s a guessing game, It really is. You just don’t know what’s going to happen from night to night.”

That Brown game was the first this season, for UAlbany, in which the game was really slowed to a standstill by fouls. If games continue to be like that, they might not be much fun for fans.

“If every game is like the other night, it might not be fun to watch," said Brown.

One positive was the play off the bench from Levan Shengelia and Michael Rowley, who got into the game, primarily because of all the foul trouble.

“You have to make sure you have bench guys who are ready to play and you better be ready to make your free throws," said Brown.

However, having games were starters are routinely in foul trouble means fans will be seeing more and more bench players.

“In my opinion, coaching through that Brown game, what it does now is how good are your seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth men," Brown said. "At our level, it’s hard enough to get a good starting five.”

The problem may even get worse, as conference play arrives and teams know each other better, usually leading to more physical, grind-it-out games.

“I think it’s going to get worse when you get into conference play because teams know each other even more," Brown said. "So in my opinion, it’s going to become more physical."

The rules aren't changing any time soon, but Brown suggested if the shot clock was lowered or the lane was widened, that would create more possessions and in turn, more offense.

The NCAA released a report on Thursday, stating that scoring was up and turnovers were down, meaning the game was better. 

Brown grew up watching the "Bad Boys" in Detroit, the physical Boston Celtics teams and Karl Malone, who would play physical. He likes that style of game, but knows his teams must adjust.

“We have to adjust because if we don’t adjust, we’re going to lose games because of it," he said. 

ALBANY - Before Sunday's game against New Jersey Institute of Technology, Gary Johnson couldn't feel his foot.

The trainer had wrapped his rolled ankle so tightly that the senior couldn't feel anything.

Coach Will Brown told him that was a good thing, but Johnson who hasn't had to deal with too many injuries in his career was nervous, when he got out on the court.

After missing two games, due to an ankle sprain against Duquesne, Johnson didn't look nervous.

He scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench, giving the Great Danes a lift.

"He was good," said Brown. 

Johnson got heavily into the mix at the end of last season and was a big reason why the team won the America East and advanced all the way to the NCAA tournament, so getting him back from injury was a big deal.

“It’s great to have him back," said sophomore Peter Hooley.

Johnson's length makes him one of the most versatile players on the team and his athleticism is near the top of the team.

“We’re a completely different team (with him)," Hooley said. "He’s our best perimeter defender and he’s a great slasher offensively."

Johnson's absence actually allowed fellow senior David Wiegmann to pick up more minutes and allowed some of the bench players to get more comfortable on the floor for UAlbany.

"I think having Gary out allowed David to get more comfortable out there," Brown said. "Now, having Gary back, I think we have some really good balance out there."

Johnson wasn't quite in terrific shape, having not had much practice time since injuring the ankle, but he still provided the team with some solid play.

"He made a bunch of plays for us, especially defensively," said Brown.

Johnson won't start on Wednesday against Holy Cross, again coming off the bench. Another injury update is that transfer Anthony Odunsi will be out for at least another week, after suffering a concussion in practice and missing the past two games.

UAlbany Athletics

One thing Brown isn't too thrilled about is rebounding. A statistic that is usually a staple of UAlbany teams since Brown has been at the helm has just been so-so this season.

The Great Danes are just plus-1.3 so far this season, something Brown would like to see improvement on.

"We have to rebound better," he said.

Even though UAlbany is over .500, the Great Danes haven't played a complete game yet this year, according to the players. The team has played 20 good minutes here and played 30 solid minutes against Rider last week. They have actually trailed, at halftime, in six of the seven games so far this season. 

“It is encouraging to know that we have these spurts where we play really good basketball, Hooley said. "And when we don’t have good spurts, we become good when we need to.”

Still, it's something Coach Brown acknowledged, earlier in the year, that will catch up with them eventually. 

AP

ALBANY - Dave Wiegmann was all over the floor on Tuesday evening -- playing so well that coach Will Brown couldn't take him out of the game.

That wasn't the case last season, when Wiegmann (right, playing defense against Ohio State last year) had trouble getting out onto the court.

Continued hard work and determination have Wiegmann playing more than half the game (21.2 min/gm), on average. Currently, the 6-foot-8 forward is even in the starting lineup, as Gary Johnson deals with an ankle issue.

“He just refused to give up," said Brown, following Friday's practice.

Wiegmann is averaging 5.0 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. In the two starts, he's increased his production to 8.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per contest.

“I’m just trying to take advantage of the opportunities I’ve been given," he said. "Hopefully, I can continue to keep producing.” 

In the 70-59 victory over Rider, Wiegmann grabbed a career-high 14 rebounds, in 37 minutes of action.

“I couldn’t take him off the floor the other day," Brown said. "He got every rebound.”

Wiegmann played just 49 TOTAL minutes last year, after transferring in from Southwestern Illinois Junior College. This year, he's already played 127 minutes, in just six games.

“I still think his best basketball is ahead of him," said Brown.

Wiegmann isn't concerned about maintaining a starting role, once Johnson returns. He just wants to keep helping this team keep pile up victories.

“In the end, it’s what’s most beneficial for the team," Wiegmann said. "Whatever the coaches ask, I’ll do to the best of my ability.”

Last season, Wiegmann just wasn't strong enough to battle inside with the post players, but it wasn't for a lack of effort. He would lift in the hotel room during road trips and put in as much extra work as he could.

“He always fought, worked and competed," said Brown.

Wiegmann would come to Brown routinely last season and ask what he needed to do better or what he should work on, so that he would see more playing time. 

"The one thing that he wants to be able to say is that 'I was a good, solid player and contributed to a team at the Division I level,'" said Brown.

Wiegmann is a great student and is currently looking at what medical school, he would like to attend next year. He could have just continued to work hard in practice and finished up his studies, but he wanted to work even harder to earn minutes and contribute during games this season.

“He should be an example for all kids of all ages," said Brown.

On Friday, the University at Albany men's basketball program announced a four-man class for next season.

Coach Will Brown and the Great Danes will welcome Wheeler Baker, Geremy McKay, Max Twyman and Mike Wells for the 2014-15 season.

"We are very excited about the class we have put together during the early period," Brown said in the release. "We added student-athletes who value an education, are quality people and talented individuals on the court."

Baker averaged 16.2 points per game, as a junior at Osseo High School in Minneapolis, Minn.

Signing Day  i officially become a proud member of the Albany family today. 
— Wheeler Baker (@WheeWhee25) November 13, 2013

The program has added another Australian in McKay. The 6-foot-7 forward was a member of the 2013 Under-19 Australian FIBA team that won the Oceania Championships this past summer.

Very happy to say that as of yesterday I am officially a Great Dane at the University at Albany!! #GreatDane #UAlbany #AlbanyBasketball
— Geremy McKay (@GeremyMcKay33) November 15, 2013

Twyman is from Rye and averaged 21.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists as a senior at Rye High, who is now at Brewster Academy.

Committed to UAlbany!!
— Max Twyman (@Twyguy95) October 7, 2013

Wells is a graduate of Delaware Hayes High in Ohio and is now at Thomas More Prep. He was the all-time leading scorer at Hayes, where he averaged 25.2 points per game, as a senior.

Signing with Albany! pic.twitter.com/LLik5xFkmk
— Mike Wells (@mike_wellss) November 14, 2013

Mike McMahon/The Record

ALBANY - The Times Union Center box office will surely be contacting University at Albany coach Will Brown in the coming days.

Following his team's 74-62 victory over Siena, Brown said that he can guarantee an even larger crowd than the 11,311 that attended on Friday evening.

"If this game would have been played tomorrow (Saturday), there would have been 15,000 people here, sold out," said Brown.

The crowd was the largest since 2009, and was more than the average of 10,940, since the rivalry was renewed in 2001.

Brown does have a point though, as it was a very busy night locally. Both Union and RPI men's hockey teams were home and the Section II Class AA Super Bowl was being played at Bob Ford Field, at UAlbany. That game, between CBA and Shaker was one Brown pointed to.

"I bet ya half of them would have come," he said.

The game was played on Friday evening, due to the UAlbany women's schedule, which has a game on Sunday.

Last year, however the game was played on a Saturday and drew a crowd of 10,229. 

"It's hard to play it on any other day but Saturday," Brown said. "People will travel to come see this game if it's on a Saturday."

Brown even suggested that if the game can't be played as a doubleheader, maybe the women's teams could play on Friday evening and the men's squads could faceoff on Saturday, to make a whole weekend out of it.

"If it can't be a doubleheader, it can't be a doubleheader," he said. 

This was the first time the Albany Cup game was the season-opener, something that likely won't continue if this quote from Brown means anything.

"Next year, each of us will probably have three of four games under our belt, when we play," he said.

The White team won the Purple & Gold scrimmage 57-54.

I know what you're thinking (neither team was wearing Purple or Gold -- at least that's what I was thimking).

It was a good, competitive game (I did miss the first few minutes because I was writing my UAlbany football game story).

According to our "unofficial" official stats, D.J. Evans led all scorers with 17 points, while Mike Rowley had seven rebounds.

I liked what I saw, in terms of competition and the late-game situations gave this young, inexperienced team a chance to work through some things.

There is a long way to go though.

"It's a work in progress," said junior Sam Rowley.

This team should be big and talented up front, led by Rowley. The Great Danes also have John Puk (6-10), Luke Devlin (6-8), Levan Shengelia (6-9) and Mike Rowley (6-8).

"Our frontcourt's pretty big," said coach Will Brown. "It's pretty good."

I think the team has a lot of pieces and should be solid and competitive for sure. The overall success they have will be determined by how they come together as a unit, like last year's team did so terrifically down the stretch.

Brown will have to work to see what lineup combinations will play the best on the floor and he has less than three weeks to figure it out.

The Great Danes will scrimmage at Iona on Oct. 27 and at home against Marist, on Nov. 2, before the season-opener against Siena on Nov. 8.

J.S. Carras/The Record

The calendar just flipped to October, but we're already talking about college basketball season.

Both the University at Albany and Siena College men's basketball squads have kicked off practice in the past few days.

The Saints are trying to put last season's disappointments behind them and start fresh with new head coach Jimmy Patsos (left) and a slew of new players on the roster. Tuesday was also Patsos' 47th birthday.

Here is the link to a story from Wednesday's paper about the team kicking off practice and hoping to have some success.

I also checked in with the UAlbany team and this story appeared in Sunday's paper.

Our new columnist Steve Amedio also has a take from Wednesday's paper on Danes head coach Will Brown, who beings his 13th season leading UAlbany. Could he be the next Doc Sauers or Bob Ford and remain on Western Avenue until the end of his career?

J.S. Carras/The Record

AP

It is finally official.

University at Albany coach Will Brown has signed a contract extension through the 2017-18 season. Coming off a trip to the NCAA tournament, his third as the head coach for the Great Danes.

Brown was offered an extension in March, after he led UAlbany to an America East title and a berth in the NCAA tournament, but it took five months for everything to become finalized.

Here is the UAlbany release.

The University at Albany and coach Will Brown received a letter of intent from former Utah player

AP

Anthony Odunsi on Wednesday.

Odunsi (right) was playing at Tyler Junior College last year, in Texas, where the Apache went 22-9.

Odunsi spent the 2011-12 season playing at Utah, where he averaged 3.0 points and 1.3 rebounds as a true freshman. 

Brown tweeted the following on Wednesday evening.

@UAHOOPSWB: "Received an NLI from Anthony Odunsi today. BCS experience and a big point guard who can play multiple positions as well!"

The Great Danes are coming off the program's third trip to the NCAA tournament, where they lost to Duke last month.

The program loses a lot of the key parts to that team, including guard Mike Black, Jacob Iati, Jayson Guerrier and forward Blake Metcalf. Earlier in the month, guard Chris Page also announce he would be transferring.

Odunsi joins an incoming class of Lamin Fulton, Levan Shengelia and Dallas Ennema.

AP

After leading his team to an America East championship, University at Albany men's basketball coach Will Brown has reportedly been offered a contract extension.

Director of Athletics Lee McElroy said it would be a four-year extension, which including the year already on his contract, would have Brown with UAlbany through the 2017-18 season.

The Great Danes finished 24-10 in 2012-13, losing to Duke in the NCAA tournament's round of 64.

Brown, who just finished his 12th season with the Great Danes, hasn't signed anything yet, but he tweeted on Tuesday, "Getting ready to board this plane. A lot of travel this week. #recruiting".

One open job that could interest the Long Island native is Hofstra. 

University at Albany coach Will Brown talks about the upcoming NCAA tournament matchup against Duke.

The Great Danes (24-10) and Blue Devils (27-5) meet in Philadelphia, on Friday, at 12:15 p.m.

On top of all the game prep, ever since the University at Albany won the America East championship on Saturday, coach Will Brown has been inundated with media requests.

Just on Monday alone, Brown was on with Mike Francesa and did a call-in interview on ESPNU, with Andy Katz, in addition to thers.

SID Jonathon Gasparoni was kind enough to send over what interviews Brown has done since Sunday.

Sunday, Mar. 17
ESPN Radio with Freddie Coleman
Peter Brown Show on Yahoo Sports Radio
Fox Sports National Radio
ESPN Radio with Bob Valvano

Monday, Mar. 18
Fly 92.3 with Brian Cody
Fox Sports 980 with Rodger Wyland
Mike Francesa Show
Katz Korner with Andy Katz on ESPNU
104.5 ESPN the Team

Tuesday, Mar. 19
99.9 The Fan (Duke Radio)
620 The Buzz (Duke Radio)
CollegeHoopsDaily.com with John Teitel

BURLINGTON, Vt. - The UAlbany men's basketball team is back in the NCAA tournament.

The Great Danes will make the third NCAA trip in program history (all since 2006), following a 53-49 victory over Vermont on Saturday.

Below, the team celebrates as the buzzer sounds.



Below, coach Will Brown talks about the victory.

ALBANY - From the first day of open gym for the University at Albany men's basketball team, Gary Johnson stood out to his teammates.

A 6-foot-6 junior college transfer, Johnson showed he was athletic and capable of playing big minutes for the Great Danes.

That didn't happen right away, however.

But over the past three weeks, Johnson has become an invaluable piece of the puzzle for UAlbany, which plays at Vermont, in the America East Conference championship game on Saturday, at 11:30 a.m.

“He’s a guy that doesn’t need the ball to be effective," said UAlbany coach Will Brown.

Johnson has started the past five games for the Great Danes, including both games in the America East tournament. In those games, he was matched up against the league's leading scorer, in Maine's Justin Edwards and the conference's MVP, in Stony Brook's Tommy Brenton.

“They gave me an assignment and I took it personal," Johnson said. "I have pride in my defense. It was fun playing against Justin Edwards and Tommy Brenton because they’re both aggressive and good players. I’m just happy we got the ‘W’.”

Over the past 11 games, Johnson is averaging 6.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 0.8 assists per game in 22.5 minutes.

Over the team's first 22 games, Johnson played a total of just 54 minutes and compiled stats of nine points, 10 rebounds, two steals and two assists.

“I think he was trying to pick up on everything that we were doing and adjust to this level of basketball," said guard Jacob Iati.

An injury to all-rookie selection Peter Hooley, allowed Johnson to step into the starting lineup. When Hooley returned, the duo has been used effectively by Coach Brown.

“Having him and Pete Hooley on the wing is an awesome advantage for us," said Iati.

Johnson's athleticism couldn't be questioned, but he was trying to get familiar with this level of basketball.

“At the beginning of the year, it was a big transition from junior college to Division I," he said. "The coaches told me that and at first, I didn’t understand. But now I understand and I’m just happy I can have an impact on the team.”

Johnson just kept working and it all culminated in the big victory over Stony Brook, where he had nine points and four rebounds, in the 61-59 victory, which resulted in the crowd storming the SEFCU Arena court.

“It was the funniest game I’ve ever played in," he said.

Now, the Great Danes are just one win from the NCAA tournament and Johnson is hoping he can do whatever it takes to help his team win the America East title.

"We want to win this game bad," he said. "It's not going to be easy. We know it's going to be a tough game, but we're prepared."

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.

ALBANY - The big news on Thursday was the addition of UMass Lowell to the America East.

On Friday, University at Albany coach Will Brown was asked his thoughts of a new program joining the league.

“I think our commissioner (Amy Huchthausen) did a tremendous job of adding UMass Lowell to the league," Brown said. "With all the realignment going on, you don’t want to be left behind. We had nine teams, we lost one to get down to eight and less than a year later, we’re back at nine."

Brown is referring to Boston University, which is in the midst of its final year in the America East before heading to the Patriot League.

"I think we’re trying operate from a power of strength, trying to add and not just be one of those leagues that fall aparat or falls behind."

Lowell is the first addition to the league since 2003-04, when UMBC joined and they are elevating their athletic programs (except hockey, which already is Division I) from the Division II level. They had been competing in the Northeast-10 Conference, which is the league that The College of Saint Rose competes in.

"Obviously, Lowell’s made the commitment to the America East and the Division I level," Brown said. "So I’m sure they’re going to have the resources and the facilities to be successful.”

Brown said that from talking to other coaches, the fact that the league is adding teams is, in his mind, a positive.

"Its nice that we’re going in the right direction with it,” he said. 

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.”

University at Albany coach Will Brown talks about his team's upcoming game against UMBC.

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.

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.”