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ALBANY — The University at Albany men’s basketball team has proved it can rebound from a disappointing performance.
Now, coach Will Brown wants to see his team actually rebound, as in following missed shots.
UAlbany has traditionally been strong on the glass because it’s something Brown stresses with his team, day in and day out.
“That’s a major concern of mine, with this group, right now,” Brown said, prior to Friday’s practice. We’re not rebounding the ball at the level that I feel we need to.”
Rebounding will be big this afternoon, when UAlbany (5-4) and Cornell (3-4) meet at 2 p.m., at Newman Arena, in Ithaca.
“That’s definitely an area of the game we’re talking about,” said sophomore forward Luke Devlin. “We need to win the battle of the boards.”
The Great Danes are minus-2 on the glass this season, far below where they would normally be.
The Big Red are minus-6 on the boards, so the UAlbany players know they need to take advantage.
“That’s something that we really need to exploit,” said junior captain Blake Metcalf.
Cornell shoots a lot of 3-pointers, which means that there will be many long rebounds, so all of the UAlbany players will need to get into the rebounding act.
“I try to rebound, no matter who we play,” said junior guard Gerardo Suero, who averages 5.4 rebounds per game.
The Great Danes have won three of their last four games, but are still focused on keeping the momentum going.
“We want to keep getting better and better every day,” Suero said.
Cornell averages more than eight 3-pointers per game and leading scorer Drew Ferry (13.0 ppg) averages nearly 3½ per outing.
“We have to play great defense and make sure the three’s don’t beat us,” said junior guard Mike Black.
Albany native and 2011 Troy Record Player of the Year, Galal Cancer, is a freshman for the Big Red.
Cancer, who was recruited by Brown and UAlbany, averaged 13.0 points and 7.5 rebounds last season as the Brothers won their fourth consecutive Section II title.
“He’s a wonderful young man,” Brown said. “Tremendous defender, who really attacks the basket and can get to the free throw line.”
Junior guard Logan Aronhalt is dealing with a knee issue that may require offseason surgery.
“Every time he stops, plants and tries to jump or explode, he feels it,” Brown said.
Aronhalt will play this afternoon, but will likely start sitting out of some practices to keep added wear and tear off of his right knee.
Aronhalt and the rest of his teammates have just recently finished their final exams for the semester and for the next few weeks, they will be fully focused on basketball.
“This is a fun time of year for players and coaches,” Brown said. “It’s a good five weeks, where it’s just basketball. I think our guys get the opportunity to feel a little what it’s like to be a pro.”
Following a long layoff and a lot of stressful nights of studying, the Great Danes are just anxious to get back out on the floor.
“I’m eager to get out there and play,” Devlin said.
Now, coach Will Brown wants to see his team actually rebound, as in following missed shots.
UAlbany has traditionally been strong on the glass because it’s something Brown stresses with his team, day in and day out.
“That’s a major concern of mine, with this group, right now,” Brown said, prior to Friday’s practice. We’re not rebounding the ball at the level that I feel we need to.”
Rebounding will be big this afternoon, when UAlbany (5-4) and Cornell (3-4) meet at 2 p.m., at Newman Arena, in Ithaca.
“That’s definitely an area of the game we’re talking about,” said sophomore forward Luke Devlin. “We need to win the battle of the boards.”
The Great Danes are minus-2 on the glass this season, far below where they would normally be.
The Big Red are minus-6 on the boards, so the UAlbany players know they need to take advantage.
“That’s something that we really need to exploit,” said junior captain Blake Metcalf.
Cornell shoots a lot of 3-pointers, which means that there will be many long rebounds, so all of the UAlbany players will need to get into the rebounding act.
“I try to rebound, no matter who we play,” said junior guard Gerardo Suero, who averages 5.4 rebounds per game.
The Great Danes have won three of their last four games, but are still focused on keeping the momentum going.
“We want to keep getting better and better every day,” Suero said.
Cornell averages more than eight 3-pointers per game and leading scorer Drew Ferry (13.0 ppg) averages nearly 3½ per outing.
“We have to play great defense and make sure the three’s don’t beat us,” said junior guard Mike Black.
Albany native and 2011 Troy Record Player of the Year, Galal Cancer, is a freshman for the Big Red.
Cancer, who was recruited by Brown and UAlbany, averaged 13.0 points and 7.5 rebounds last season as the Brothers won their fourth consecutive Section II title.
“He’s a wonderful young man,” Brown said. “Tremendous defender, who really attacks the basket and can get to the free throw line.”
Junior guard Logan Aronhalt is dealing with a knee issue that may require offseason surgery.
“Every time he stops, plants and tries to jump or explode, he feels it,” Brown said.
Aronhalt will play this afternoon, but will likely start sitting out of some practices to keep added wear and tear off of his right knee.
Aronhalt and the rest of his teammates have just recently finished their final exams for the semester and for the next few weeks, they will be fully focused on basketball.
“This is a fun time of year for players and coaches,” Brown said. “It’s a good five weeks, where it’s just basketball. I think our guys get the opportunity to feel a little what it’s like to be a pro.”
Following a long layoff and a lot of stressful nights of studying, the Great Danes are just anxious to get back out on the floor.
“I’m eager to get out there and play,” Devlin said.
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