UAlbany Men's & Women's Basketball Programs Hold Annual Media Day at SEFCU Arena

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – The University at Albany men’s and women’s basketball programs held their annual media day luncheon on Wednesday, Oct. 31 in the SEFCU Arena Athletic Hall of Fame Room. Capital Region media were invited to engage in a question-and-answer session with head coaches Will Brown and Trina Patterson as well as selected student-athletes.

The two-time defending America East Conference Champion men’s team posted a 23-10 record last year. The Great Danes are embracing the challenge of defending their conference reign and returning to the NCAA Tournament. When commenting on having the proverbial “target on his team’s back,” Coach Brown explained that he looks forward to meeting the task.

“It excites me that we have thirteen kids in our program that have people whispering about how good they can be,” says Brown, whose team has registered 20-plus wins in back-to-back campaigns. “We want to see our seniors go out in a good fashion and I don’t see them allowing this team to take a step back.”

Senior captain Brent Wilson, a two-time All-America East Conference selection, echoed his coach’s sentiments in looking forward to meeting the expectations following consecutive NCAA berths.

“It’s exciting to be in this position, said Wilson, who become the program’s 28th 1,000-point scorer this season. “It’s nice to have a target on our backs now, especially since my first year we were thought of as a win on everyone’s schedules – it’s good to be here in my final season.”

The women’s team, returning four starters from last season’s 9-22 squad, is looking to use its speed and athleticism to create havoc against conference opposition. Coach Patterson is basing her season’s success on three key components.

“Our goal is to strive for greatness, while stressing a ‘team first’ mentality,” offers Patterson, who is in her sixth season at the helm. “The three keys to our season are to be fundamentally sound, play at a fast tempo, and put the team before individuality.”

The men’s team begins their schedule on the road at Bucknell on Saturday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. The women go up against the Big Ten Conference’s Indiana Hoosiers in Bloomington on Friday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m.