UAlbany Hosts 2K Sports Classic, Benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer, on Nov. 20-22 at SEFCU Arena

Albany, N.Y. - UAlbany hosts the 2K Sports Classic, benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer, on Nov. 20-22 at SEFCU Arena. The Great Danes open the three-day, six-game tournament against Alcorn State on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Detroit and Robert Morris meet in the opener at 5:00 p.m.

The Braves, who compete in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, have just one starter returning. Alcorn State (0-3) started its season with road losses at Ohio State, Arkansas and Louisiana-Monroe. Head coach Larry Smith, who is in his second year, played 13 seasons in the NBA with Golden State, Houston and San Antonio. Smith is hoping to turnaround the fortunes of his alma mater. Jonathan Boyd, a 6-foot-3 senior, averaged 9.3 points and was the SWAC's top three-point shooter at 40.3 percent last year. JaMarkus Holt, at 6'8" and 240 pounds, adds presence in the lane. He contributed 6.3 points and 4.3 rebounds last year.

Head coach Ray McCallum has increased his roster talent in his second season with program. McCallum, who is no stranger to college basketball, took Ball State to a pair of NCAA appearances and Houston to one NIT Tournament. The Titans (1-1) are picked sixth in the Horizon League's preseason poll. Eli Homan was a top 100 high school player when he originally signed with Indiana. At 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds, he has been selected by The Sporting News as the league's top newcomer. He had 16 points and 12 rebounds in his team's victory over Western Michigan on Nov. 15. Central Michigan transfer Chase Simon (6'6") is off to a solid start in his Detroit career. He netted 22 points and made five 3-pointers vs. Western Michigan.

The Colonials are coming off their first NCAA appearance since 1992 after winning last year's Northeast Conference championship. Mike Rice, a two-time NEC coach of the year, led the program to a 24-11 record last year. Rob Robinson is the team's top returning scorer (11.2 ppg) and rebounder (5.6 pg). Robinson, a 6-foot-8, 215-pound forward, earned second-team All-NEC recognition and was a member of the conference all-tournament squad. Dallas Green (6'8") will always be known as the player who made the game-winning shot in last year's championship. He averaged 6.6 points and 4.4 rebounds and the Colonials were 18-4 with him as a starter. Robert Morris (0-2) began this year with losses at Syracuse and Penn State.

UAlbany (1-2) edged defending Patriot League champion American, 51-50, in its last outing on Nov. 16. Tim Ambrose scored the winning basket on a follow shot in the lane. Scotty McRae had a career-high 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds off the bench. The Great Danes are hosting their first in-season tournament since the 1997-98 campaign.

Tickets for the 2K Sports Classic, benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer, are available by calling the UAlbany Ticket Office at 518-442-4683. Fans can listen to the UAlbany games on Fox Sports 980, WOFX-AM, with Rodger Wyland and Greg Tobben handling the broadcasts.

2K Sports Classic, Benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer
Albany Sub-Regional, SEFCU Arena

Friday, Nov. 20
Detroit vs. Robert Morris, 5:00 p.m.
UAlbany vs. Alcorn State, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 21
Alcorn State vs. Robert Morris, 4:30 p.m.
UAlbany vs. Detroit, 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 22
Alcorn State vs. Detroit, 2:30 p.m.
UAlbany vs. Robert Morris, 5:00 p.m.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information