University of Albany Men's Basketball Announces Non-Conference Schedule for 2008-09 Season

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation Lee McElroy announced on Friday, July 11 the school's men's basketball non-conference schedule for the 2008-09 season. The list of opponents include defending national champions Kansas and Big East Conference members Villanova and DePaul. Perennial Ivy League power Pennsylvania comes to SEFCU Arena on Nov. 29.

The Great Danes meet Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse, a 16,300-seat facility, in Lawrence, Kan. on Tuesday, Dec. 30. The Jayhawks won their third NCAA championship last April with a 75-68 overtime win against Memphis. Sherron Collins returns for the Big 12 Conference champions. UAlbany will be playing the defending national champion for the first time and its second-ever Big 12 opponent.

UAlbany opens its schedule with a pair of Big East teams in Villanova (Nov. 14) and DePaul (Nov. 17). Villanova has made three regional semifinals and one Elite Eight appearance in the the last four years under head coach Jay Wright. The Wildcats, who finished 22-13 one year ago and lost to Kansas in the Mideast Regional semifinals, met UAlbany for the first time on Dec. 22, 2004. Scottie Reynolds, a second-team All-Big East selection, is the top performer. DePaul and UAlbany will battle for the first time at Allstate Arena (18,500) in Rosemont, Ill. Jerry Wainwright is in his fourth season as the Blue Demons' coach and has two Big East all-rookie players back in Dar Tucker and Mac Koshwal.

Pennsylvania is among four non-league opponents that will play at SEFCU Arena. The Quakers, who have made 23 NCAA appearances, including five of the last seven seasons, travel to the Capital Region on Saturday, Nov. 29. The Great Danes will also host Central Connecticut State (Nov. 22), Bryant (Dec. 1) and Canisius (Dec. 13). Bryant is making the transition to Division I and becomes a member of the Northeast Conference in 2012.

In addition, the Great Danes will tangle with Siena in the crosstown-rivalry's 48th meeting on Saturday, Dec. 6 at Times Union Center. The series has averaged 10,833 fans since the two programs renewed the rivalry in 2001. UAlbany also meets Columbia, Sacred Heart, Bryant, St. Francis, N.Y. and Lehigh in non-league road games.

In 2007-08, UAlbany tied for second in the America East Conference regular-season standings before dropping an overtime battle in the postseason tournament's quarterfinal round. Senior forward Brian Connelly, who averaged 10.1 points and 5.3 rebounds, is among six returning letterwinners.

2008-09 University at Albany Men's Basketball Non-Conference Schedule

Date, Day, Opponent, Site

Nov. 14, Friday, at Villanova, Villanova, Pa.

Nov. 17, Monday, at DePaul, Rosemont, Ill.

Nov. 19, Wednesday, at Bryant, Smithfield, R.I.

Nov. 22, Saturday, Central Connecticut State, SEFCU Arena

Nov. 25, Tuesday, at Columbia, New York, N.Y.

Nov. 29, Saturday, Pennsylvania, SEFCU Arena

Dec. 1, Monday, Bryant, SEFCU Arena

Dec. 6 Saturday at Siena Albany, N.Y.

Dec. 8, Monday, at Lehigh, Bethlehem, Pa.

Dec. 13, Saturday, Canisius, SEFCU Arena

Dec. 19, Friday, at Sacred Heart, Fairfield, Conn.

Dec. 22, Monday, at St. Francis, N.Y., Brooklyn, N.Y.

Dec. 30, Tuesday, at Kansas, Lawrence, Kan.