Men's Basketball Set to Honor 2005-06 Inaugural America East Championship Squad at Big Purple Growl on Feb. 6

BIG PURPLE GROWL TICKETS | FEROCIOUS FEAST REGISTRATION

ALBANY, N.Y. – University at Albany men's basketball will welcome back members of the 2005-06 team on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 7:00 p.m., against Vermont, the athletic department announced Friday afternoon. Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the first America East Championship and NCAA Tournament squad, players and coaches will be honored against the Catamounts at the annual Big Purple Growl.

“I am ecstatic that we will be honoring the 2005-06 basketball team at the Big Purple Growl,” said head coach Will Brown. “This was a special group that helped pave the way for our program at the NCAA Division I level. They were all about winning and wanted to put UAlbany and our program on the map.  A day never went by without hearing this group chant “Purple Fam” and it was something that they embraced and were proud of.”

Of the 2005-06 team, eight players are expected to be in attendance for the Big Purple Growl on Feb. 6, including David Bauman, Brian Connelly, Jimmie Covington, Jon Iati, Lucious Jordan, Jared Knotts, Brian Lillis, Rob Longert (team manager) and Brent Wilson as well as members of the coaching staff.

AMERICA EAST CHAMPS:

The 2005-06 Great Danes downed Vermont 80-67 on March 11, 2006 to win the league title and make UAlbany's first Division I basketball NCAA Tournament appearance on March 17 against UConn.  Behind America East Player of the Year Jamar Wilson, UAlbany sealed the No. 1 seed for the America East Tournament. After beating UMBC and New Hampshire on the Binghamton campus in the opening rounds, Brown & co., hosted Vermont in front of a capacity crowd at the then-Recreation and Convocation Center (RACC), now known as SEFCU Arena.

The Purple & Gold took a 44-26 lead into halftime, and never trailed against the three-time defending champion Catamounts. Wilson netted 29 points in the 80-67 victory, earning Reggie Lewis Most Outstanding Player accolades. Lucious Jordan and Brent Wilson were named to the All-Tournament team.

The No. 16 seed Purple & Gold went on to capture a national audience after trailing the No. 1-seeded Huskies by just one point at the half from the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pa.

THE 2005-06 SEASON:

UAlbany went 21-11 overall and 13-3 in league play. The Danes posted an eight-win turnaround from the previous season, and the first winning season for UAlbany basketball in the Division I ranks after returning four starters. Will Brown strung together an eight-game winning streak from Dec. 20-Jan. 14, including the program's first all-time win over league rival Boston University on Jan. 12.

THE TEAM:

Coaching Staff: Will Brown, Pat Filien, Chad O'Donnell, Eric Eaton, Jeremy Friel    

Tickets for the Big Purple Growl can be purchased online at ualbanysports.com, or by calling (518) 442-DANE.