UAlbany Mens Basketball Point Guards Johnson And Raffa Make Division I Debuts Against Villanova Tonight

One exchange during the preseason revealed the competitive fire of University at Albany point guards Mike Johnson and Anthony Raffa.

As usual, the two were on opposing sides in practice one day. Johnson, a junior college transfer from Brooklyn, led the team in the white jerseys. Raffa, a freshman from New Jersey, directed the group in the black uniforms.

"White had the ball and Mike Johnson said, 'Coach, I can just go by (Raffa) every time and score,'' UAlbany coach Will Brown recalled. "Fifteen seconds later, Black had the ball and Anthony goes, 'Can I just go by (Johnson)? I can go by him every time.' "

Brown hopes their brashness will serve them well tonight as both make their Division I college debut in UAlbany's opener against 23rd-ranked Villanova.

"They're not lacking in the confidence department,'' Brown said. "They both play with a chip on their shoulder and they do it at both ends of the court, which is good.''

Their self-assuredness will be tested by Villanova junior Scottie Reynolds, a nominee for the Bob Cousy Award, which goes to the nation's finest point guard.

Reynolds, who averaged team highs of 15.9 points and 3.2 assists per game, is one of five returning starters for the Wildcats. Villanova reached the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 last season, beating Siena in the second round, and is picked fifth in this year's Big East preseason coaches' poll.

If either point guard was daunted by the matchup with Reynolds, they weren't saying so.

"I'm from the city, so I've played against the best of point guards ever, that ever came through the city,'' Johnson said. "So I'm just up for it. I need to make Mike Johnson known, just like Scottie Reynolds made himself known. ... I'll get into (Reynolds) just like I get into my little brother in the playground. No different, the same mentality.''

Johnson is listed as the probable starter tonight, although Raffa is sure to get minutes. The two could see time in the backcourt together, depending upon matchups.

Johnson described a friendly rivalry with Raffa.

"We're really still good friends, but at the same time, we both compete, we both fight, and we both beat each other up on a daily basis," he said.

Brown said both players have been tentative in practice because they're worried about pleasing him, but he wants them to be themselves tonight.

"Those two guys are aggressive and I told them that I expect both of them to make mistakes (tonight), but they need to be aggressive mistakes," Brown said.

Tonight's game will be about 90 miles from Raffa's hometown of Strathmere, N.J. Although he said his main concern is to take care of the basket and "do things like coach asks," Raffa acknowledged there will be a lot of excitement in his debut.

"Everyone's going to be souped up Friday night,'' Raffa said. "Everyone's going to be on their A game. So it's going to be fun. We'll see where we're at. If we can hang in with them, we'll be pretty good this year.''

By MARK SINGELAIS