ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany men's basketball team will host the UMBC Retrievers for Neon Night on Thursday, January 23 at 6:30 pm before hosting the NJIT Highlanders on Saturday, January 25 at 4:00 pm.
Game Info vs. UMBC
January 23, 2025 | Broadview Center, Albany, N.Y. | 6:30 pm
Live Stats | ESPN+ | Int'l Stream | 104.5 The Team | Tickets
Neon Night: Thursday, January 23 will be the Great Danes' inaugural Neon Night presented by UAlbany Summer Sessions. UAlbany will wear special jerseys that will be auctioned off online while the first 500 students and 500 fans will receive a free LED light-up rally towel.
Auction Link
Game Info vs. NJIT
January 25, 2025 | Broadview Center, Albany, N.Y. | 4:00 pm
Live Stats | ESPN+ | Int'l Stream | 104.5 The Team | Tickets
CVC Suits & Sneakers // Mascot Madness // Doc Sauers Tribute: Saturday, January 25 vs NJIT will be a fun-filled themed day with coaches wearing suits and special kicks for Coaches vs. Cancer Suits & Sneakers. Special appearances from the Capital Region Mascots. Joining Damien and Remi the Rhino of Reimer Heat and Cooling, are SouthPaw of the Tri-City ValleyCats, Alphie of the Albany FireWolves, and Spike the Firebird of the Albany Firebirds. In addition Legendary UAlbany Head Coach Doc Sauers will be in attendance!
Leading the Pack
· UAlbany is 10-10 overall, and 4-3 at home this season; UMBC holds a 9-10 overall record while 3-5 on the road, while NJIT is 4-15 while 0-10 for away games
· Four UAlbany players are recording double-digit scoring averages from Amar'e Marshall (13.3), Byron Joshua (13.2), Justin Neely (11.4), and DeMarr Langford Jr. (11.3).
· Amar'e Marshall leads the Great Danes with 240 points shooting 85-215 (.395%) from the field and 24-77 (.312%) from three-point range.
· On the glass, Neely records a team-high 139 rebounds averaging seven per game.
· Joshua leads the team in steals at 31 while Marshall leads in assists at 51.
· Langford Jr. and Kacper Klaczek both lead the team in denying shots with ten blocks for each player
· In minutes, DeMarr Langford Jr. leads the team with 575 total minutes played, averaging 30.3 minutes per game.
· Joshua, Langford Jr., and Marshall are the only three Great Danes averaging 30 minutes or more with Joshua at 33.1 minutes per game, Lanford Jr. with 30.3 per game, and Marshall recording 30.0 per game.
Scouting UMBC
The Retrievers are coming off two conference losses against New Hampshire (76-79) and Maine (68-87). This season UMBC is averaging 81.8 points, 29.8 field goals, 9.1 threes, 13.2 free throws, 34.2 rebounds, 15.5 assists, 11.4 turnovers, 7.7 steals, and 2.8 blocks per game.
Leading the points tally for the Retrievers is Bryce Johnson, with 328 points and averaging 17.3 per game. Johnson also leads in field goals and free throws, going 114-220 (averaging .518%) and 70-92 (Averaging .761%) respectively. The Senior also leads the team in blocks, totaling 12, as well as minutes, totaling 586 and averaging 30.8.
Marcus Banks Jr. leads UMBC from beyond the arc shooting 56-134 threes and averaging .418%. In the assists category, Ace Valentine leads with 72.
Rebounds for the Retrievers are led by Banks Jr. and Josh Odunowo. Banks Jr. leads in defensive rebounds (4 off – 77 def, 81 total, averaging 4.3 per game). Odunowo leads in offensive rebounds as well as total rebounds and average rebounds (45 off – 54 def, 99 total, averaging 5.2 per game.
Previously vs. The Retrievers
February 17, 2024 | In their last meeting, Aaron Reddish tallied his first double-double of the season, tying his career-highs in points (21) and rebounds (10). UAlbany won the rebound battle, 36-32, and outscored UMBC 15-6 off second-chance points. The Great Danes shot 36% (9-25) from behind the arc compared to the Retrievers' 30% (6-20). UMBC's Regimantas Ciunys led the winning effort, finishing with 22 points and five rebounds. UMBC took the win 80-75.
The Great Danes are 30-16 all-time against the Retrievers, 16 of those wins coming at home.
Scouting NJIT
NJIT are coming off a conference loss to Maine (44-57) and a conference win against New Hampshire (64-59). This season the Highlanders are averaging 62 points, 22.2 field goals, 6.1 threes, 11.5 free throws, 35.3 rebounds, ten assists, 12.9 turnovers, 4.8 steals, and 4.4 blocks per game.
Leading the Highlanders in points so far is Tariq Francis, who has totaled 272 and is averaging 18.1 per game. Francis leads the team in three-pointers going 36-117 and averaging .308%. He also tallies the most field goals made alongside teammate Sebastian Robinson, both totaling 95. Francis has gone 95-269, averaging .353%; Robinson has gone 95-252, averaging .377%. Francis also averages the most minutes per game with 35.1.
Robinson leads NJIT in total minutes with 635. He also leads in free throws, going 56-77, averaging .727%. He also totals the most assists with 66, and the most steals with 17.
Tim Moore Jr. leads NJIT in rebounds, total and average, with 39 offensive, 81 defensive, and 120 total. Thus far, Moore Jr. has averaged 6.7 rebounds per game. He also leads the team in blocks with 29.
Previously vs. The Highlanders
February 15, 2024 | Lat time these two teams met the Great Danes came away with a 83-58 win against the Highlanders. Sebastian Thomas narrowly missed a triple-double, finishing with 16 points, eight re-bounds, and nine assists. All 16 points came in the second half, and Thursday was Thomas' fourth game this season with nine or more assists. Amar'e Marshall scored 18 points on 6-12 shooting. Tyler Bertram scored 20 points, including 14 in the first half on 6-10 shooting from three. UAlbany shot 53.3% from the floor, including 56.7% in the second half. UAlbany outscored NJIT 13-2 in transition. The Great Danes' defense held NJIT to 5-20 shooting from three.
UAlbany has an overall record of 13-1 against NJIT, with a record of 7-1 since NJIT joined the America East. The Great Danes are undefeated at home versus the Highlanders with a perfect 8-0 record.
Last Time Out
January 18, 2025 | The UAlbany men's basketball team traveled to Vestal, N.Y., for their matchup against the Binghamton Bearcats. The Great Danes added to their away wins, beating the Bearcats 70-65. During the matchup, DeMarr Langford Jr. went a perfect 5-5 from the field in 37 minutes of play with five rebounds (3 off – 2 def), and five steals. Byron Joshua led the Great Danes in scoring with 15 points. Justin Neely, Byron Joshua, and Kacper Klaczek all recorded two assists. UAlbany outrebounded Binghamton 32-29. UAlbany went 22-51 (43.1%) from the field, 7-26 (26.9%) beyond the arc, and 19-25 (76.0%) from the free-throw line.
Drive the Lane with UAlbany Hoops
Drive the Lane with UAlbany Hoops is officially back for a third season! Coaches Dwayne Killings and Colleen Mullen, along with select student-athletes, will join ESPN Radio 104.5 The Team's Charlie Voelker and Dan Bahl every Monday from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. live from City Line Bar & Grill for a weekly segment entitled 'Drive the Lane with UAlbany Hoops'.
Fans are invited to come out to City Line Bar & Grill to join Coach Killings, Coach Mullen, student-athletes, and the ESPN Radio 104.5 The Team crew. Food and drink specials will be available every week as the teams embark on their new seasons and talk hoops every Monday.
Postgame Show
The UAlbany Basketball Postgame Show returns this season to 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio. The show will begin immediately following all games, home and away, for fans to listen to as they commute home or tune in from a distance.
The show is set to run for 30 minutes following the final buzzer on 104.5 The Team. Fans will hear initial reactions and a game recap to start the segment followed by interviews with the team. Coach Dwayne Killings and select student-athletes will join ESPN Radio's Rodger Wyland and Michael Johnson Jr. to break down the contest, give insights, opinions, and responses, and discuss the team's next matchup.
Fans can tune in to ESPN Radio 104.5 the Team by turning the dial on their radio or by streaming on their computers or smartphones.
Free for Students
UAlbany students can attend UAlbany basketball home games all season long for FREE by claiming a ticket through the UAlbany Sports Mobile App which can be downloaded on the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Note: UAlbany Athletics is no longer utilizing UAlbany IDs as a form of entry for ticketed events.
Social Central
Stay up to date with UAlbany men's basketball by following the team on X (@UAlbanyMBB) and Instagram (@ualbany_mbb) for all of the latest news and highlights throughout the year.
