Game 2, 2025-26: Albany (11/8)

[MikeUMA]

Next up: the Great Danes, at 6 PM at Mullins.

Their season preview: https://ualbanysports.com/news/2025/10/ ... eview.aspx

They lost at Marquette last night, 80-53 https://ualbanysports.com/news/2025/11/ ... uette.aspx

[Steve81]

Well, they have some good tape and can certainly need to clean things up. Should able be able to adjust, improve and win this game!

[69MG]

If Tarique Foster goes for 15 and 8 against us I know we will be in trouble. He hardly got any playing time last year on a weak UMass team.

[Juice Stand]

^ I can just about guarantee that he's going to get out on a fast break and dunk on somebody. He started and played 29 minutes against Marquette last night. 8 points, 3 turnovers, 1 rebound and poor shooting numbers against superior competition.

I liked Tarique. His build and game reminded me of Dyondre Dominguez and I thought he could have had a similar breakout year like Dyondre had if he stayed one more season. I wish him well (every game except this one).

[doubledribble]

Welcome home Dwayne Killings.
You were a standout at ARHS

[umasscollective]

We’re looking forward to Saturday at 6pm! Over 300 students and family members from Hadley Elementary will be joining us, courtesy of Commonwealth Legacy Foundation.

Let’s run it up...this invite NOW extends to all local youth and families across Massachusetts!

Click the link below to request your FREE game tickets, theyll be sent electronically. Let’s pack the Mullins Center.

Please share! No questions asked, tickets free for ALL.

https://themassachusettscollective.form ... quest_form

[Old Cage]

Welcome home Dwayne Killings.
You were a standout at ARHS

And he remains the all-time UMass percentage leader in three pointers made: one for one = 100.0%

See the photo to the right.

[69MG]

Next up: the Great Danes, at 6 PM at Mullins.

Their season preview: https://ualbanysports.com/news/2025/10/ ... eview.aspx

They lost at Marquette last night, 80-53 https://ualbanysports.com/news/2025/11/ ... uette.aspx

They went heavy in the portal for guys who played D1 and none were stars. Banks and Bettiol were our only two D1 transfers. Banks was a great pickup and I think Bettiol will also be productive. Of the JuCo and DII transfers we have, I liked Parker, and I think Clerc will have some value. Still can't figure out why Brown didn't play and we don't know about Placide and Outlaw yet. But it seems to me that D1 experience is a big factor.

[MikeUMA]

One factor in Albany's loss the other night: personnel availability. Saw in an article:

Those turned out to be guards Nas Muhammad, Will Richardson and Abdoulaye Fall, along with forward Sully Adewale.

The absences of Richardson and Muhammad, who likely would’ve shared primary ballhandling duties with Lindsey, were felt particularly hard once Marquette started to ratchet up its full-court pressure. Junior college transfer Jaden Kempson started in the backcourt alongside Lindsey and had a rough night, turning the ball over seven times and finishing with three points on 1-of-14 shooting.

Killings said following the game that he was “not totally sure” on the timeline for Richardson and Muhammad to return to the lineup.

One guy to watch on Saturday is going to be Amir Lindsey.

The 5-foot-11 sophomore guard lived up to his preseason All-America East billing, setting the tone for the Great Danes throughout the night.

Lindsey scored his 20 points on 7-of-17 shooting, including 3-of-8 from 3-point range. He finished tied for second on the team with eight rebounds, dished out three assists and turned the ball over three times while playing 35 minutes despite picking up his third foul with about six minutes left in the first half.

https://www.timesunion.com/sports/artic ... 132708.php

[MikeUMA]

In the America East pre-season coaches poll, Albany landed in a tie for second, behind Vermont. (The Catamounts had won 3 straight titles, regular and tournament, before Bryant knocked them off last season, and coach Phil Martelli Jr got himself an upgrade to VCU.) It was the highest preseason ranking for UAlbany since 2017, and the first time in Killings’ five seasons that the Great Danes have been ranked in the top half of the AEC.

Amir Lindsey (So., Guard, Framingham MA) was named to the league's preseason all conference team.
Appeared in 31 games as a freshman, averaging 6.0 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.
Named to the America East All-Rookie Team last season.
Scored double figures eight times and helped UAlbany reach AE Semifinals for the first time since 2017.
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/pl ... sey-1.html

Lindsey and Jayden Ndjigue were teammates in prep school. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=666786501165830

Last season, Albany went 17-16 (8-8, 4th in AEC). They've gotten better over the last couple seasons since the 8-win campaign in Killings' second season.
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/co ... ngs-1.html
... but how closely is the AD watching him, now in year 5? This is where some ADs can lose patience.

This will be the 3rd time we've faced Killings and Albany
https://umasshoops.com/wiki/doku.php?id=opponent_albany

[MikeUMA]

They went heavy in the portal for guys who played D1 and none were stars.

Yeah, like us their roster had high turnover from last season. They brought in 10 transfers and 1 true freshman (Wilkin Paulino).

[PreecherJenkins]

Coaching along side DK this year, is two year UMass legend Willie "Catfish" Jenkins!

[eldonabe]

As I have opined previously, the importance of Basketball winning this year is huge for what remains of the psyche of the fan base.

I was not thrilled with the Marshall game for a lot of reason's but the biggest reason was actually the post game presser. Same story from Frank - excuses... excuses... excuses. Not ready for a big front line like theirs, they have a seasoned team..... blah blah blah.


He is in year 4 of the new way college basketball works..... he better get used to not having a seasoned team of his own because he will never have another one for the rest of his career. Shut the fuck up, figure out how to coach the guys YOU brought here or fucking quit.


I hate to go down this path in game 2, but this is actually a Must-win for them. You are gonna hear a pin drop in the Mullins with too many more games like Marshall (performance and outcome). But at least we are Big-Boy football now!

[MikeUMA]

Coaching along side DK this year, is two year UMass legend Willie "Catfish" Jenkins!

Damn, good find, although given your handle I shouldn't be surprised

I wouldn't have recognized him
https://ualbanysports.com/sports/mens-b ... nkins/2392

Had forgotten how much his numbers went up after transferring. OVC POY as a senior.
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/pl ... ins-1.html

[umasscollective]

We’re looking forward to Saturday at 6pm! Over 300 students and family members from Hadley Elementary will be joining us, courtesy of Commonwealth Legacy Foundation.

Let’s run it up...this invite NOW extends to all local youth and families across Massachusetts!

Click the link below to request your FREE game tickets, theyll be sent electronically. Let’s pack the Mullins Center.

Please share! No questions asked, tickets free for ALL.

https://themassachusettscollective.form ... quest_form

We are over 350 tickets now. Please share! Goal is to get over 500 youth & families to the game...