The University at Albany’s men’s basketball team is still on the hunt for its first victory of the Division I season, making a short journey to Springfield, Massachusetts, to face the Ivy League powerhouse, Yale, today at 4:30 p.m. The game is part of the MGM Springfield Basketball Hall of Fame Classic and will be held at the MassMutual Center, where UMass will take on Boston College later in the evening. The contest will be broadcast live on ESPNU.
The Great Danes, with a current record of 3-7, are in search of their first win against a Division I opponent after struggling in their previous seven matchups. The upcoming game against Yale, boasting an impressive 10-1 overall record, presents a formidable challenge, especially as the Bulldogs have made an appearance in three of the last four NCAA Tournaments.
UAlbany head coach Dwayne Killings and his team aim to turn their season around before the America East Conference play begins in January. Notably, there is a sense of urgency among the players as they have been working to improve their performance, particularly from the three-point line, where they have averaged a disappointing 28.87% shooting percentage, ranking near the bottom of Division I teams. Finding consistency in their long-distance shooting will be critical if they hope to make a successful run against Yale and beyond.
The Great Danes have set their starting lineup for the matchup, with Amir Lindsey, Jaden Kempson, Nas Muhammad, Isaac Abidde, and Okechukwu Okeke taking the floor. Unfortunately, they will be without key players, including Zacharie Matulu and Yaya Keita, due to injuries.
Coaching against UAlbany will be Yale’s James Jones, who has a unique connection to the Great Danes. A former player for UAlbany from 1982 to 1986, Jones has now led the Bulldogs as head coach for 27 seasons. His extensive experience is sure to add another layer of challenge for the Great Danes.
As they progress through their season, the UAlbany team remains hopeful about securing their first Division I win. The resilience and determination of the players will undoubtedly be crucial as they take on a tough opponent today.