2010-11 Hoops Preview Special- Albany Great Danes

2010-11 Hoops Preview Special- Albany Great Danes

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Quick Facts: 2009-10 Record: 7-25 (2-14 America East)

                     Letterwinners Returning: 8

                     Starters Returning: 3

                     Newcomers: 3

                     Head Coach: Will Brown (10th season)/ 113-149 career-record

 

Under the tutelage of Will Brown, the Albany men's basketball program has been a staple of consistency in the America East Conference. Now entering his 10th season at Albany, Brown led the Great Danes to four consecutive seasons with at least 15 wins (2005-2006-2008-2009), while also leading the school to its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament as a Division I program (2005-2006).

Unfortunately, the 2009-2010 season fell short of the high expectations that Brown has built for this program. The Great Danes struggled to a 7-25 (2-14 America East) record and finished in ninth place in the America East standings. One of the big issues last season was an inability to get stops on the defensive end. According to Brown, an improvement on the defensive end could lead to a strong season.

"No. 1 is we need to guard. We were always rock solid defensively and very good on the glass," said Brown.  "Last year we really struggled defensively. In the past our defense and rebounding always gave us a chance to win regardless of how we were playing offensively."

While the Great Danes return three starters and eight-letterman from last year's squad, this is still an extraordinarily young squad that needs to learn how to win at this level.

"This year we have nine freshmen and sophomores in our program," Brown said of his roster. "Our main focus with this group early on has been to get them to play as hard as they can every single time they step on the court ... to find another level, be good teammates, and to take it personal if they/we give up a basket ... embrace the defensive end. This group will be together for the next few years and we feel they have a chance to be very good moving forward."

Senior guard Tim Ambrose is one guy who will need to provide leadership for this young team against a tough non-conference schedule, which includes a match up with Georgia Tech in Atlanta.

"We need Tim Ambrose to be a consistent player and scorer for us. He is more than capable," emphasized Brown.  "I think he will thrive with the players he will have around him this year. We need the Tim Ambrose that we had as a sophomore. Tim should be a double-figure scorer. We just need him to be solid on defense and play with some consistency. I am confident he will have a good year."

While both Logan Aronhalt and Mike Black made significant contributions during their freshman season's, it's imperative that both take their game to the next level in order for Albany to compete for a spot in the upper-half of the conference.

"We need Logan Aronhalt to have a good year," Brown said of his sophomore guard. "He was very highly touted coming out of high school. After two foot surgeries he is finally healthy. He has lost thirteen pounds and is leaner and stronger. He was very good down the stretch for us (last year). He is capable of consistently scoring in double figures for us."

The continued maturation of Black could be the key for him to emerge as one of the elite playmakers in the conference.

"We need Mike Black to continue to grow as a player. He had a very good conference season and was rewarded for his efforts by making the All-Rookie team. He has the talent level to be as good as any point guard in the America East."

With the talent of the backcourt, combined with the ability of the coaching staff to get the most out of its talent, it would be a surprise to see Albany struggle as mightily as it did last season. With two junior-college transfers (Theo Hatcher and Russell Moore) joining Australian import Luke Devlin, Brown has a strong group of newcomers that are fully capable of providing an impact. While the inexperience on the roster might make it tough for the team to gel early in the season, there is a strong chance this will be a very competitive team once America East conference play begins.