University of Albany Men's Basketball Jumps Three Spots To 22nd In Mid-Major Poll

ALBANY, N.Y. - Going 2-0 this past week and stringing along five straight wins up to this point, the University at Albany men's basketball team jumped up three spots in the Top-25 College Insider Mid-Major poll to No. 22. This is the highest ranking in-season the Great Danes have received since entering Division I in 1999-2000.

Leading the Great Danes are the senior guard duo of Mike Black and Jacob Iati. The tandem have combined for 33.2 points per game, which is the highest scoring combo in the America East Conference. Iati's success has come from behind the arc, tallying 34 three-pointers in 10 games which is 5th best in the nation. Black has a team-best 17.4 points per game and shooting 47.0 percent (55-117).

As a team, UAlbany has been one of the nation's best shooting teams. Through 10 games this season, the Great Danes are shooting 45.8 percent from the floor (85th in the nation), 73.4 percent from the free-throw line (62nd in the nation) and 40.0 percent from behind the arc (21st in the nation).

UAlbany's five-game winning streak are its best streak since the 2008-09 season. The Great Danes will shoot for their best streak of eight-straight games against non-conference foes South Carolina State (Wed. Dec.,8), Quinnipiac (Fri. Dec. 21), and Navy (Fri. Dec. 28).