ByesLine By Zachary Bye: A Basketball & Sports Blog

UAlbany Punches Golden Ticket

2013-03-19T17:44:13Z

The UAlbany Great Danes Men's Basketball team has done what many around New York's capital region considered a near impossibility: Run through the America East conference tournament as a four seed and punch their ticket to the NCAA's Big Dance. Their prize for achieving the most improbable run in America East tournament history? The two-seeded Duke Blue Devils, a Goliath of college basketball, in the second round of the NCAA tournament. The 15-seed Great Danes will have the near insurmountable odds stacked against them in Philadelphia, PA this Friday (March 22, 2013), but I think everyone understands that the Danes' ultimate goal has already been realized. We have to remember exactly how UAlbany came to have their name on millions of brackets across America, because the journey to the dance is the real story in all of this. At this point last March, a 19-win UAlbany team was supposed to be one of nine Division I teams (out of 347) in the country to return every player the following year. The future looked promising. Gerardo Suero finished 7th in the nation in scoring in his first season of D-I hoops and Logan Aronhalt, another all-league performer and top-10 scorer in the America East, was set to be a senior. Within a two week period in the Spring both players made plans to vanish for their own separate reasons; Suero pursuing professional ranks overseas and Arohnhalt transferring to Maryland. From every piece of fire power returning to losing 49% of the teams scoring, the Danes went from title frontrunners to picked fourth in a nine team league. After starting the non-conference season red hot with a back-against-the-wall approach, UA hit a serious lull against the best teams in the America East, at one point losing 5 of 8 games. In the local papers UAlbany's believability as a contender was compared to that of Manti Tao's invisible girlfriend. But in the conference tournament the Danes would 'prove their existence' in story book fashion. After squeaking by Maine in the quarterfinals, UAlbany knocked off top-seeded Stony Brook, a team they'd lost to six consecutive times. If that wasn't enough, they traveled to Vermont and dethroned the reigning champions, and preseason favorite, on their own floor on national television to capture their third America East tournament championship in eight years. Don't ever confuse this next fact: This is, without question, the greatest post season run the America East has ever had. Only twice in 33 years (!) has a team outside the top two seeds won it all. Albany did so as a four, knocking off one and two seeds along the way. With his latest title, head coach Will Brown became the fourth coach in America East history to register three championships, joining the likes of such legends named Jim Calhoun, Bill Herrion and Tom Brennan. Also, with the win over Vermont, UAlbany hit the 24-win mark, their most ever in a season in the Division I era. The 2013 Great Dane's are all about redemption. From counted out, to counting wins. From sports personalities calling for Will Brown's job, to Brown joining the most elite company the America East has ever seen. From being accused of catfishing upstate New York, to the biggest fish in the capital region pond. From preparing for Hartford and Maine to scouting Coach K's Dukies. Who knows if UAlbany played another 50 years if they'd ever replicate what they accomplished this season. What I do know is that during that same stretch of time I won't soon forget the year, 2013, when UAlbany defied everyone's odds and became an immortal team by way of a banner that will hang in UAlbany's SEFCU arena for the rest of time.
Below are the full highlights of the America East championship game.

UAlbany Knocks Off Top Seeded Stony Brook

2013-03-11T21:37:31Z

The UAlbany Men's Basketball team pulled off perhaps its most impressive and improbable victory of the season when they knocked off the #1 overall seed in the America East tournament, Stony Brook, on Sunday night at SEFCU arena in Albany. What an experience. Coming into the semi final matchup Albany was an underdog to say the least (+4.5 at home). Not only had Stony Brook been the best team in the America East this season from start to finish, capturing their third regular season championship in four years, but they had already beaten UAlbany twice. Maybe the most discouraging evidence coming into the contest for UA was that the latest loss to Stony Brook had come just eight days prior...a game where the Danes outshot the Seawolves from the field as well as outrebounded them, two telltale statistics that often indicate who wins the game. I remember wondering after that loss down in Stony Brook if Albany could ever beat this team. They had just thrown their best punch at the conference bully and the champs were still standing. Naturally, considering my position as radio broadcaster for UA, I hoped the best for Coach Will Brown and his club. But my objective side told me Stony Brook was a better team. Period. 48 hours before the matchup, during the America East post season awards, Stony Brook had cleaned the joint out. Coach of the Year, Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year all shared the Stony Brook strand. To pile on the pregame fodder, UAlbany had lost its last six and 11 of the last 13 games against Stony Brook. I cannot sit here after the fact and tell you I believed Albany would win. But where my belief in this UAlbany team may have waned, it was more than made up for by the 12 players and five coaches in the Purple and Gold locker room. I played the game of basketball at what I perceived to be a high level for ten years, but I had never been a part of something like Sunday night. The intensity of the battle was so thick in the air that none of the 3,400+ in attendance could deny feeling it. As time expired after senior guard Mike Black drove to the hole with two seconds left to break a 59-59 tie, the UAlbany student sections on both ends of the floor stormed the court. Those 10 seconds immediately after the final horn were the rawest form of energy and excitement I've ever seen, an obvious culmination of getting beat up time and again by 'big brother'. The win for UAlbany pushed the Great Danes into the America East Championship game at Vermont on Saturday (March 17th), only one game removed from a NCAA tournament birth. The upset also pushed Albany to the 23-win mark, matching the University's highest win total in it's Division I history. Below is a link to the game's full highlights, a true 'must see'. Best of luck to the UAlbany Great Danes this weekend in an attempt to cap off an already historic season.

RIP Paul Bearer

2013-03-07T22:23:28Z

What a sad day in the world of professional wrestling this past Tuesday, March 5th, when we discovered that the WWE/WWF legend, Paul Bearer, had died. For someone my age that grew up with professional wrestling in the 1990's, this was a crushing blow. Not to say that I had even thought of Paul Bearer in years, but at the same time the longstanding manager of The Undertaker had a profound impact on my wrestling experience as a child. My first Paul Bearer experience at the tender age of six scared the hell out of me. Here was this creepy man carrying an urn on the television screen talking about how he and The Undertaker were making special caskets for my favorite WWF superstars. It took all I had to not urinate in my pants. I don't exaggerate when I say that childhood nightmares from ages 6-10 often occurred in Paul Bearer and Undertakers universe. Looking back on old interviews I can't help but to laugh out loud at this over the top character. Think about it, he was a pseudo paul bearer, named Paul Bearer! Doesn't get any more classic than that. The facial expressions and tone in his voice while doing promotional interviews were downright special. Paul Bearer's role in pro wrestling would change throughout the years, ditching The Undertaker for goons like Mankind and Kane (more classic wrestling names!), but to me, he'll always be that exotic funeral parlor director who was never caught dead without his urn, and swore he and Undertaker built a double wide casket for Yokozuna. Of course I never knew the real Paul Bearer, William Moody, but I found some comfort seeing his name trending on Twitter the day of his death. It wasn't just me who had an impression left on them from 'the men from the dark side'. You see, even while pro wrestling is as fake as a Kim Kardashian press release, and the product has deteriorated with time (or maybe I just got old), there's still a reason why millions and millions and millions of people watch it every Monday...because of characters like Paul Bearer. In closing, if I could steal an Undertaker line for a brief moment in relation to Bearer's passing..."May he reeeeest, innnnnnn, peeeeace." Feel free to check out below the classic Paul Bearer promo from the early 90's talking about, of course, mass graves.

'The Godfather'

2013-02-25T16:41:28Z

It's all about who you know, right? This past weekend (2/22/13) for me and a good friend it paid to know the capital regions resident 'Godfather', UAlbany men's basketball advisor Don Basset. Basset's name has been ringing out in basketball circles around New York state for decades. The Capital District Hall Of Famer is known by basketball fans of New York's section 2 for winning over 300 games, most of those at Catholic Central in Troy. He also helped guide my alma mater Saint Rose in back to back division II final four appearances in the 1990's, his name still engraved outside the 'Don Basset Locker Room' where I used to change every day before and after practice. Currently the aging Basset serves as an intricate advisor to the division I UAlbany men's team, evaluating talent, studying plus/minus trends, and working with troubled free throw shooters. Not to be forgotten though, especially for the sake of this anecdote, is the work that Don Basset did with the Albany Patroons, a pro basketball team formally of the CBA, many, many years ago. Once upon a time the Patroons head basketball coach was legendary NBA coach, George Karl, now of the Denver Nuggets. Through their work together in Albany and after years of phone conversations and visits from Basset to wherever Karl happened to be coaching, the pair are lifelong friends. So this past weekend when I had to travel to Washington D.C. for a work venture and discovered the Nuggets were visiting the Wizards on Friday night, I figured I'd try to pull those Basset strings and score a ticket for my buddy and I. "I'll see what I can do" was the response from Basset as he promptly pulled out his phone, navigated his way to George Karl's name, and sent a simple text" message. Not 24 hours later we had two fourth row tickets behind the Nuggets bench waiting at 'will call' in the Verizon center in D.C., with two back stage guest passes to boot. Boom! Everyone who knows better shows Basset the utmost respect, and this obviously includes George Karl who put his NBA coaching duties aside for a moment to honor the request from mere friends of Basset. Although Karl's nuggets dropped a close one to the Wizards despite a entertaining 27 points and 12 assists from Ty Lawson, the value of our up close and personal experience is immeasurable. We kiss 'The Godfather' ring in thanks to Don Basset who when shown respect will return it two fold, the best kind of guy to have in your corner.

Flash Back Bryant

2013-02-06T19:04:54Z

I swear that Kobe Bryant has stumbled upon a time machine. There's really no other explanation why 17 years after being drafted and at 34 years of age he's still able to physically accomplish the things that he has this season. And I'm not just referring to the unworldly fact that Bryant is averaging 27ppg to go with 5rpg and 5apg. No, I'm talking about the anecdotal flashes of a more athletic yesteryear. On Tuesday night (2/5/13) in Brooklyn Kobe reminded us one more time of his greatness. The scene: Fourth quarter...down one...under 3 minutes to play...No Dwight Howard...No World Peace...No Pau...No problem. Kobe 'Bean' Bryant came diving down a open lane and put a legendary dunk on the heads of BOTH Gerald Wallace and Kris Humphries to take a lead L.A. would never give back. At the time Kobe rocked the rim in BK I happened to be sitting in a sports bar in Baltimore and the reaction from the other patrons was identical to mine. A swift jerk of the body and a consensus 'Oh God'! Kobe has handed out about 1,000 posters like this one since 1996 but naturally they don't happen with the same frequency as when his age started with a '2' instead of a '3'. Less frequency, for me anyway, equals more appreciation. Add in the context of the games scenario and combine it with the sixth Lakers win in seven games, and you'll have a L.A. fan (like this one) dedicating a quick blog post to it. If you didn't see the play from Kobe that naturally found it's way to the #1 play on Sports Center, check it out below. Raise your glasses. A Jam and Toast.

Gerald Censored-Son

2013-01-10T19:05:42Z

Where would you slot the Charlotte Bobcats' Gerald Henderson's dunk over Dwight Howard a few weeks ago on the list of top-10 plays/dunks of the year? Wait, what's that? You haven't seen it? Here in lies my problem. The former Duke guards monster flush over the league's best defensive center got ZERO play from the national media in late December and I'm not sure why. Actually I have a suspicion. His last name isn't Griffin, and he doesn't play for Miami, New York, L.A., or Boston. I can't tell you the amount of times since this play happened that I've brought it up to actual basketball fans and they have no idea what play I'm talking about. Unless you happened to be watching the game when it happened or the highlights immediately afterward (which appeared in the wee hours of the morning on the East coast), you missed it. Now, if this was Blake Griffin or LeBron James who somehow caught a piece of trampoline left in the court from SlamBall (Google it) and did D12 that dirty, well I'm sure at this point in January we'd already be able to quote the announcers call of it happening. I'm acting like I'm surprised but I'm really not. As Bruce Hornsby once said, "I guess that's the way it is, something's will never change." So true, Bruce. That being said hit play and let your eyes lock in on what I believe to be a top-5 play of the NBA season thus far.

Damian L(ill)ard

2012-12-18T00:16:29Z

If something makes you sit up in your bed when you'd be otherwise horizontal, it's typically either really good or really bad. This past Sunday night, after a long day of bad football wagers and watching my Buffalo Bills get smoked, I was forced to sit upright at midnight because of something really good. Damian Lillard, my second favorite NBA rookie only to Anthony Davis of the Hornets, buried the ultimate game winner against those very Hornets to give Portland its third straight win. I've loved Damian Lillard since his final season at Weber State. I first came across the name when I would continually check where UAlbany's Gerardo Suero stood among college basketball's leading scorers. At this point in time Suero was scoring at an incredible rate, so I was confused who this kid was from Weber State that was scoring that much more?! Suero would have 27 points, and I'd check the list only to discover that Lillard had one of his eight 30-point games. I became a follower. I started to check the list to see what HE did, I watched his pre-draft workouts, and rooted him on when his name was called by the Portland Trailblazers with the sixth pick in the first round of the 2012 NBA draft. Fast forward to today and Damian Lillard is separating himself from the other highly touted newcomers by bulding the most complete Rookie of the Year resume. From the time he first stepped on an NBA court against the Lakers and finished with 23 points the 22-year old hasn't slowed down. To date, Lillard is already a top-20 scorer in the NBA averaging 18+ points per game to go with his six assists. The kid reached at least 20 points in 13 of the 23 games he's played in for the Blazers. I have a feeling that much like when I used to clock the scoring list when he was college, I won't be able to check out the NBA's leading points-per-game men without reading the name: Damian Lillard. I hope you enjoy this cold blooded game winner as much as I did.

UAlbany Basketball Rolling

2012-12-06T15:26:01Z

Now seems like as good of a time as any to throw a bunch of credit in the direction of the University of Albany men's basketball team who after 9 games played this season is 7-2. Not only are the 2012-13 Great Danes off to their best 9 game start since transitioning to division I in 1999, but UAlbany is, for the second time in school history, ranked among the top-25 mid-major programs in the country (this list includes all teams outside of the BCS conferences). Talk about defying the odds. In covering the team in the role of a gameday broadcaster I knew the team well enough to know that they would come out swinging this season after the losses of Logan Aronhalt (transferred to Maryland) and Gerardo Suero (jumped to professional ranks), but not me or even head coach Will Brown could anticipate that the team would dominate the non-conference schedule the way they have. Quality wins over Duquesne (Atlantic-10), Siena (MAAC), Wagner/St Francis Brooklyn (NEC), and of course the best regular season win in program history at Washington (Reigning PAC-12 champion), have caught New York's capital region off guard. The Great Danes only losses come at a top-10 team nationally in Ohio State from the Big-10, and barely against the reigning MAAC champion Loyola. How could this be happening? This was a team that lost 50% of its scoring in the offseason, and 2 of 3 all conference players. Team basketball is how. Sounds cliché I know, but the fact that the remaining players understood that not one of them was good enough to get any job done by themselves forced them to bind together in a 'fight or flight' mentality. Do the Great Danes have talent? Absolutely. Enough talent to beat Siena in the Albany cup when leading scorer, Mike Black, shoots 3-15 from the field? Not exactly, but enough chemistry, basketball IQ, and the understanding of their role allowed UAlbany to win by double figures. On paper this team isn't too much to look at especially compared to the very teams they've been beating. You could thumb through their lineup or watch them in warm-ups and likely shrug your shoulders or look down at your Iphone, but once the ball goes up so will your eyebrows. Go Danes.

UAlbany Basketball Visits #4 Ohio State

2012-11-13T18:54:09Z

Please join me in giving a warm welcome back to another college basketball season! It doesn't seem even close to a year ago when I was sitting at a hotel computer and blogging about UAlbany's whirlwind trip to open the 2011 season against schools such as Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Maryland, and George Mason. As I sit here at yet another hotel computer in my second year broadcasting the Great Danes basketball season, things haven't seemed to change much. Another stellar non-conference schedule put together by head basketball coach Will Brown has me blogging from downtown Seattle as the UA men play at the reigning Pac-12 champions, Washington Huskies, on Tuesday (11/13/12). This is the second stop after we first traveled to Columbus, Ohio to play another reigning conference champion from the Big-10, Ohio State. What an experience. Just being in the Value City Arena, the home of OSU basketball was eye-popping. The sheer size of the $100+million dollar complex that seats around 18,000 fans will dwarf just about anyone not used to the 'big time', but add in the history of players like John Havlicek and Jerry Lucas whose jerseys hang from the rafters and you're talking about one of the most unique and valuable experiences I've ever had. The game itself between the #4 ranked Buckeyes and Great Danes was actually a pleasure in itself as well. Although the final score said OSU had won by 22 points (82-60), the game was probably more competitive than some folks imagined. You have to remember, we're talking about a top-5 team nationally in Ohio State that had just hung a 2012 Final Four banner before tipoff, playing against a UAlbany team that was picked fourth in the preseason America East poll. The objective is always to win every time you take the floor, but anyone who actively uses their brain knows that the task of beating the Bucks on their home floor isn't at the top of the category labeled 'winnable'. That being said, the Great Danes fought like hell and actually lead at some points late in the first half of a game that featured five different lead changes. I thought UAlbany's senior guard, Mike Black, was the brightest spot for the Danes as he really took that first half by the horns. The one thing I told Black during the pregame warm-ups was that this was his stage too, as if I needed to remind the all-conference guard. Black went out and had 14 points in the first half alone and several times beat the reigning Big-10 Defensive Player of the Year, Aaron Craft, off the dribble and finished at the tin. I was genuinely impressed. Black finished with a game high 20-points along with instilling a lasting memory for himself, the time he gave buckets to the Buckeyes. Another pleasure coming from my trip to 'Theee' Ohio State University was a chance to watch another future NBA lottery pick, DeShaun Thomas, up close. Last year I had the opportunity, through calling games for UAlbany, to watch future NBA'ers like Fab Melo, Kris Joseph, Dion Waiters, and Alex Len. But Thomas was a bit different. Not only is he more highly touted than any of the previous names, but dude also has one of the most unique and multi-faceted games I can remember. The junior forward can drive to the hoop like a guard, bang low with other frontcourts, come off screens, and knock down treys. Think of a human Swiss Army Knife of the hardwood. When OSU was trailing the Danes down the stretch of the first half, it was Thomas who showed out in a big way. He finished with 19 points, 12 of which came off his four 3-pointers. All in all it has been a great trip so far and further reminds me that I have an amazing job. Simply hanging an Ohio State press pass around my neck brings me great joy, and I'm looking forward to calling all the other upcoming games on the UAlbany schedule including Washington, Navy, Siena, Vermont, and South Carolina State, among others. Stay tuned for thoughts and reactions throught the season. Lastly, I rarely do a shout out on Byesline, but I have to make an exception for the UAlbany coaching staff who really make me feel apart and welcome on these road trips that last several days. Head coach Will Brown, assistants Jon Iati, Jeremy Friel, and of course, Associate head coach Chad O'Donnell. Thanks fellas. Go Danes.

Be Back Soon

2012-11-02T19:12:50Z

Hello out there! Yes I'm still alive, but I must admit that this blog did come to a screeching halt a few weeks ago. Why? Truthfully I wasn't sure if I'd be blogging on this site anymore as I'm in the process of becoming a contributor for another sports specific website. I'll obviously let you know when and where that happens when it does. That aside I've decided to keep this byesline ball rolling and attempt to juggle the two contributions, along with keeping up my broadcasting for UAlbany's football and basketball programs. Next week I'll be hoping back on this horse and regularly writing for Albany.com again. Look for more video blogs in the coming weeks featuring NBA and NFL analysis and of course UAlbany coverage. Thanks for reading and I'll see you soon!

UAlbany Ranked Nationally, Stars Shine

2012-10-08T20:39:35Z

The 2012 UAlbany football team continues to roll through whichever opponent is on it's schedule and is now ranked #24 in the national coaches poll because of it. Considering the Great Danes (5-1, 3-0) have been receiving votes in every FCS poll since the preseason, it was only a matter of time before UA snatched one of those top-25 slots. The breakthrough ranking for Coach Bob Ford's group comes on the heels of yet another dominating performance, this time on the road at upset minded Bryant. Although the Danes looked half asleep through the first 30 minutes of play, the final score of 31-14 wouldn't indicate that Albany ever struggled. I take a step back and look at what Albany has accomplished in just the first 6 games of the season and wonder, how could they not be ranked? Run through the qualifiers: Signature win? Check. Albany upset #23 ranked Maine on the road 30-20 and did so in resounding fashion. Tough Competition? Check. Of course UAlbany upset a ranked foe from the nation's best FCS conference (CAA), but they also destroyed Monmouth 55-24, a team that came in 3-1 and received a few national votes themselves. On top of that, the Great Danes only loss of the season came on the road against a top-5 team in Youngstown State by only one possession, 24-31. Dominant performances? Check. Every one of UAlbany's five wins has come by double digits and in those same victories they've outscored their opponents by a combined 100 points. Could there really be 25 other teams in FCS (1-AA) that deserve a spot ahead of the Danes? Of course not.
There's two different storylines from week 6 (other than the newfound ranking) that deserve immediate attention. The first is that senior wide receiver, Ryan Kirchner, became the university's all-time leading receiver with 148 receptions, bypassing the 147 reception standard set in 2007 by Tim Bush. I'm not even quite sure where to start with Kirchner. He's a beast, but at the same time he's not. This is a kid who you could walk past in the mall and never know he was a Division I athlete, and even if I told you he was, you might guess that he was a lead off hitter. He's listed at 6'1, 180, but is probably closer to 6'0, 170, and when unconsciously factoring in the red hair and pale skin, Kirchner goes against the cardboard cutout of an all-time great. On top of that unfair judgment, 'Kirch' doesn't pop off the page in terms of raw athleticism either. He's definitely not the best leaper amongst the other wideouts and not close to the quickest. But it's those intangibles that can't be measured at a combine that make Kirchner a beast. It's the type of precision route running, always finding the stick, always stretching out the ball, best hands on the team, best brain at the position, and highest reliability rating type of attributes that warrant the title of 'beast'. Sure a guy can be blessed from his creator with all the prized physical tools that help him break the type of record Kirchner broke this past Saturday, but what's infinitely more impressive is the guy who doesn't have those gifts, out-works everyone, then goes and breaks the record anyway.
The second guy who demands some solo recognition is senior tailback Drew Smith. This is a guy who does fit your traditional title of beast and I don't think anyone (besides opposing defenses) is mad about it. This past Saturday at Bryant, Smith broke 100 yards rushing for the fourth time this season. But even gaudier than the yards on the ground is the fact that the Section 2 native found his way into the endzone three different times for the second straight week. That's six TD's in two games, people. Smith has now crossed the goal line 12 times in six games. Simple math says that Smith is accounting for two of his own TD's every single Saturday. I say 'his own', but I think even he knows he can't do it without the stout offensive line whose average height and weight is over 6'3, 290 pounds. And that's not counting the tight ends who may be the best blocking TE's in the NEC, who more often than not are a tentacle of that same offensive line. From the moment Drew Smith stepped on Albany's campus fresh off winning a sectional title at Guilderland high school he's been a performer week in and week out. Smith certainly didn't find himself as one of the best backs in school history (if not the best) by not being consistent.
UAlbany has the playmakers on both sides of the football to make another postseason run as they did in 2011. The coaching staff is as focused as ever, and now the national ranking expands a already magnified bull's-eye put in place by the NEC's preseason poll and move to the CAA next season. Talent or ability is no longer the question, but rather focus and preparation. Does this team have the sense of urgency to come in week in and week out and play like it's their last game of the season? I think they do, but like everyone else I'll have to sit back and find out one snap at a time.

Albany Football Rocks #23 Maine

2012-09-24T20:07:32Z

The roller coaster of emotions that have surged through the UAlbany football team over the last two weeks have been nothing short of a white-knuckle affair. Last week Albany stood at 2-0 and traveled to Youngstown, Ohio to face the Youngstown State Penguins, the 5th ranked team in FCS football (now ranked 4th). They only lost by one possession, 31-24, but in valiant fashion. YSU had only given up a combined 17 points prior to locking horns with Albany and, despite losing, the Great Danes served a notice nationally that they could compete with the very best competition in division 1-AA football. That sour taste of being so close to knocking off a nationally ranked opponent wasn't wasted, rather channeled this past Saturday when the Great Danes traveled 400+ miles for the third straight weekend and beat #23 Maine in Orono. The victory for Albany was a classic team win. In the first half it was the Albany defense stealing the show. No matter what Maine tried to do offensively, it simply wouldn't work. Sure, the Colonial Athletic Association foe had their big plays, but it was the fact that Maine was never given a chance to capitalize in the first 30 minutes that propelled UA through the game. Albany responded to a fumble lost in the first quarter by punching back with big plays like Dean Mercuris' sack for a loss of almost 10 yards or Jon Morgan's blocked field goal kick. UA's mistakes were never really coupled with other mistakes. A ton of credit has to be given to Sean Kenny, a senior place kicker who booted 3 different field goals in the 2nd quarter, all from 25 or more yards away to give the Danes a 9-0 lead at half. In the second half it was much of the same. Albany would get hit in the mouth and respond with a hay-maker of their own. The best example of the counter punch came after the half. Maine scored the first touchdown of the game to trail 9-7, only to have Buffalo native Kevin Chillis' 74 yard TD run to the outside bring the Black Bears down to size. From there, UA kept Maine at arm's length, largely due to productive running by senior tailback Drew Smith and the push his offensive line gave him up and down the field. From my view in the press box where my partner and I announced the game, it was interesting to have a bird's eye view of the 7,000+ Maine fans that came out only to have their spirits broken like the players on the field they were cheering for. I haven't been broadcasting for the University of Albany for too long, but in the 15+ football games I have had the chance to call, this was the most exciting. I think a few different components go into making that so; the first being that UA beat a top-25 opponent for the first time since 2009. To be a part of the win in my capacity of broadcasting was very exciting. Although I'm not on the field and try to be professionally impartial, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't pulling for UA on every down. The second is that Maine, who has already become a rival of sorts for Albany, will be a regular opponent beginning next season when the Great Danes join the CAA. There have been questions raised whether Albany deserves to have a permanent seat at the CAA table, but by beating Maine on the road for the second time in two years, I think Bob Ford's players and staff answered some of those doubts.

Albany Football Begins Season 2-0

2012-09-10T18:22:06Z

In the last 14 days the UAlbany football team has shown exactly why the opposing NEC coaches and Sports Information Directors voted the Great Danes as the preseason favorite to again win the Northeast Conference title. In the opening week Albany's Patriot league foe, Colgate was simply outmatched. On paper the Patriot league is a 'step up' in competition when put side by side with the NEC, but Albany dismissed the Raiders 40-23 with stellar performances from their two stud tailbacks, Drew Smith and Omar Osbourne, who each totaled over 100 yards on the ground, along with a smothering defense that blocked 2 punts and forced 2 fumbles. This past Saturday the Great Danes dove head first into conference play with Robert Morris, a team that has racked up as many conference titles as anyone in the NEC. I don't think anyone was saying that this years Robert Morris team was as talented as those champions from years past, but there's still something to be said for going into enemy territory for the first time since losing at RMU 38-0 in 2010. This game would end up being worlds different from that played 2 seasons ago as Albany controlled nearly every snap from the opening kickoff to the final QB kneel. The first thing that stuck out to me from the press box where my partner and I called the game was the breakout performance of quarterback Will Fiachi. In just the second start of his career the sophomore from Marcellus, New York looked like a tenured senior leader with good decision making throughout the game. Fiachi completed 17 of 21 passing attempts, which is good for an 80% completion rate, but to be honest I don't even remember the 4 passes that didn't reach their target. Fiachi finished with 208 yards in the air to go with his 3 touchdown passes and another TD run. Sophomore receiver Cole King was the recipient of 3 of those touchdowns which tied a Great Danes school record formally set by current wide receiver Ryan Kircher last year v.s. Sacred Heart. I haven't been calling college football games for too long, but after a season plus of watching FCS football it seems that Cole King is as talented as any receiver I can recall. His natural ability to run and jump are off the charts, but combined that with his precision route running and his set of hands and I believe that we're watching a kid that when it's all said and done will likely hold the reception and touchdown records at the University. With King and Fiachi both hailing from section 3 (Syracuse area) it seems that they have a invisible bond that is already beginning to show itself in just the second game of the 2012 season. Although Albany is 2-0 and receiving votes from every FCS top-25 poll, things are about to get a lot tougher for the Danes. This coming week Albany travels to Youngstown State, a team that is ranked top-5 nationally in those same FCS polls, followed by a week 4 contest at Maine, another top-25 team and future CAA rival. Independent of the next two weeks non-conference results, this Albany team has what it takes to capture another NEC title. I'm not saying that no other team in the Northeast conference can beat Albany, because each Saturday is its own, but if Coach Bob Ford can keep this talented group focused for the duration of the season, I think we all may be getting fit for another conference championship ring. Go Danes!

How Bad Do You Want Success?

2012-09-04T17:47:03Z

This is a mandatory re-post of a YouTube video that was shown to me last weekend, which highlights the idea of success and how bad you want it. LeBron James and Kevin Durant are the video's only two characters as a camera follows them throughout a day when the two are working out together. The contemporary training in the video is great to see as we get a sneak peek of what these upper echelon guys are doing these days to become better players. However, the best part of the video, to me, is the speech given in the background by Eric Thomas (AKA The HipHop Preacher). You talk about motivating! This dude has me ready to conquer the world. Hearing the parable of the young buck wanting to become rich and eventually learning from the Old Man what success actually takes is moving enough, but then lining up the audio with the visual of solidified greats Durant and LeBron, who are continuing to work as hard as they ever have, well, that's just genius. This particular video sticks out from other similar versions that feature hard working, lesser known athletes because the type of person who craves success to the umpteenth level never shuts off that drive, even after they've become rich and famous by capturing their goals of scoring titles, MVP's or world championships. The way Eric Thomas takes his shots at the younger generation of kids who would rather be "cool" than successful got me hyped as well. "Most of you don't want success as much as you want to sleep." Wow, now that's good stuff. Thomas' rant reminds me of the t-shirt that Nike was selling this past spring where the front of it read: 'Lazy But Talented'. Are you kidding? How could a prideful athlete, their target consumer, ever let his shirt speak for him like that? I wasn't sure what was worse: That kids actually wore the self damning shirt or that Nike suspected enough kids would wear it in the first place. This video should be shown in every K-12 school around the nation because regardless of your individual interests, the principle is the same: Success comes at a cost. Are you willing to pay the price?

Player to Watch: Jon Morgan

2012-08-20T19:04:32Z

Trust me when I say that you're going to want to keep a close watch this coming college football season on UAlbany's inside linebacker Jon Morgan. For those 'in the know' around the program, Morgan is no secret at all, but for whatever reason I don't think folks around the capital region are aware that there is a potential NFL player who will be taking the field every Saturday this Fall for the Great Danes. The senior defensive stud from Copiague, New York was a huge part of the reason Albany captured their 5th NEC title in the past 10 years by being a field general behind Albany's front four. It was one thing for Morgan to lead the team in tackles in 2011, but notching the 21st best single season tackle total in the programs history with 106 was another. Watching and analyzing him from the press box on a weekly basis was a treat. At 6'2, 220 pound Morgan is much like a well oil machined trained to search and destroy. Football is, of course, an inherently physical sport, so the fact that Morgan pops out from among the other animals as a contact seeking force is the ultimate compliment for a linebacker. I know the phrase 'he has a nose for the football' is probably overused, but Morgan epitomizes the statement by seemingly always finding his own way into the play. Those same instincts he showed in 2011 are the reason why 10-plus NFL teams have contacted UAlbany wanting to know more about Morgan. Another point to Morgan's credit that can't be overlooked is that he's performed his best against some of the toughest competition. The conference in which UAlbany plays, the NEC, isn't a full scholarship program, but when #11 in purple and gold matched up against the schools that are from larger conferences, he's excelled. When Albany played Maine (from the CAA, the conference in which UA will be joining next season) during the second week of last season, Morgan recorded his season-best 14 tackles and against Stony Brook in the FCS playoffs last year Morgan had a team high 9 tackles, with 6 of those coming unassisted. Before he ever plays the opening game this season v.s. Colgate on September 1st, Morgan has already solidified himself as a top-25 tackler in UAlbany history with 193. If Jon Morgan can stay healthy and play to his own potential in 2012, we're looking at not only the senior etching his name in the top three tacklers in UA history, but remembering his name among the greatest players to ever wear a Great Danes uniform.