UAlbany Men's Basketball 2025-26 Season Preview

ALBANY, N.Y. - The Great Danes enter the 2025–26 season under head coach Dwayne Killings after a 17-16 campaign that included an 8-8 mark in America East play. 

UAlbany looks ready to ramp up and contend for a league title as throughout the offseason, the Great Danes have reloaded their roster, balancing five returning contributors and a wave of 11 impactful newcomers. 

Killings Culture

Now in his fifth season at the helm, Coach Killings enters the 2025–26 campaign coming off his most successful year at UAlbany. The Great Danes opened the 2024–25 season with a 5–1 record, their best start since 2017–18 and would go on to host and win an America East Quarterfinal matchup against Binghamton. The victory propelled UAlbany to its first America East Semifinal appearance since the 2017–18 season, where they ultimately fell to eventual champion Bryant.

Under Killings’ leadership, the Great Danes have developed an identity built on fast, physical, emotional play, turning defense into offense, that’s allowed other teams in the America East to take notice of the Great Danes.

Preseason Notice

The University at Albany men's basketball team has been selected to finish tied for second in the 2025–26 America East Preseason Coaches' Poll, marking their highest preseason ranking since 2017. The Great Danes share the second spot with Maine, each earning 47 points, while Vermont led the poll with 63 points and seven first-place votes. This ranking reflects conference coaches, recognition of the team's potential to contend for its first America East Championship since the 2014-15 season.

Additionally, sophomore guard Amir Lindsey has been named to the America East Preseason All-Conference Team, highlighting his status as one of the league's top returning players. He is the only underclassman on the men’s or women’s America East Preseason All-Conference Team.

2025-26 America East Men's Basketball Preseason Poll

School – Points (1st Place Votes)
1. Vermont – 63 (7)
T2. Maine – 47 (1)
T2. UAlbany – 47
4. UMass Lowell – 39 (1)
5. Binghamton – 37
6. Bryant – 35
7. UMBC – 31
8. NJIT – 13
9. New Hampshire – 12

2025-26 America East Men's Basketball Preseason All-Conference Team

Quincy Allen – Sr. – G – Bryant
TJ Hurley – Sr. – G – Vermont
Demetrius Lilley – Sr. – C – Binghamton
Amir Lindsey – So. – G – UAlbany
TJ Long – Gr. – G – Vermont
Josh Odunowo – Gr. – F – UMBC

New Look Danes

Incoming transfers and freshman talent significantly strengthen the backcourt for the Great Danes. Guards Will Richardson (Fordham), Nas Muhammad (Northern Illinois), Miles Rose (St. Bonaventure), Jaden Kempson (Midland College), and Abdoulaye Fall (Indian Hills) bring collegiate experience, scoring ability, and playmaking skills that will help UAlbany’s perimeter game. As the only true freshman on the team this season, Wilkin Paulino (Proctor Academy) rounds out a backcourt group capable of creating fast-break opportunities, spacing out the floor while helping the forwards play above the rim.

At the forward position, height was a big addition in the offseason with transfers Tarique Foster (UMass) and Ife West-Ingram (Rider) providing versatility, athleticism, and a strong defensive presence. Both players can contribute as stretch forwards or matchup defenders, giving Coach Killings flexibility in rotations and lineup configurations. 

Increasing the team’s height this offseason and protecting the paint transfers Yaya Keita (Oklahoma), and Issac Abidde (Cleveland State), both standing at 6’9”, along with Okechukwu Okeke (FIU), coming in at 6’10”. Each brings their own values with them, with a mixture of size, length, athleticism, shot-blocking, and rim-running ability, with valuable leadership experience that they bring with them. Together, this frontcourt trio of transfers strengthens UAlbany’s interior presence and sets the foundation for the team’s competitiveness in the America East.

To read more about our incoming transfer student-athletes, Click Here.

For more about our lone true Freshman, Wilkin Paulino, Click Here

Returning Core

The UAlbany backcourt returns a foundation of familiar faces looking to lead the Great Danes into the new season. Sophomore guard Amir Lindsey, a 2024–25 America East All-Rookie Team honoree, returns after appearing in 31 games and averaging six points per contest. He led the Great Danes in 2024-25 in three-point shooting percentage, going 32-89 (.360%) from beyond the arc. He’s joined in the backcourt by redshirt sophomore Zacharie Matulu, who brings with him dynamic athleticism and a confident on-court presence, using his energy and competitive edge to get into opponents’ heads and elevate his teammates’ intensity.

At 7’0” tall, Bautista Giralt rejoins the Great Danes having slowly rejoined the team in 2024-25, after missing his freshman season in 2023-24. After showing promise as a fan favorite and versatile two-way contributor, Giralt looks to continue his impact on both ends of the floor with his length and energy. He’s joined in the returning front court by, Sully Adewale and Ma’Kye Taylor both returns having strong starts last season before ultimately having their seasons cut short. This year both look to work towards getting back on the court where they’ll bring their size and physicality.

Together, this returning group gives UAlbany a foundation of familiarity, leadership, and competitiveness as the Great Danes look to build on last season’s postseason success in the America East.

Schedule Highlights

The Great Danes open the 2025–26 season on the road at Marquette (Nov. 3) in Milwaukee, followed by a matchup at UMass (Nov. 8). UAlbany then returns home for contests against SUNY Delhi (Nov. 11), before going back on the road to Rhode Island (Nov. 14) and return home again to face Paul Smith’s College (Nov. 18).

The renewal of the Albany Cup (Nov. 21) features the Great Danes taking on crosstown rival Siena in one of the Capital Region’s most anticipated matchups. UAlbany enters the contest having won each of the past two meetings. This year’s game will be hosted by Siena at MVP Arena, with the Great Danes set to welcome the Saints back to Broadview Center in 2026. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here.

The non-conference slate features several tough tests, with neutral-site games at the Northern Classic against Colgate (Nov. 28) and Fordham (Nov. 29) as well as competing in the MGM Springfield Basketball Hall of Fame Classic against Yale (Nov. 10), led by UAlbany men’s basketball alumnus James Jones.

Additional marquee road matchups include Florida Atlantic (Dec. 13) and Stony Brook (Nov. 17), while the Danes will host Cornell (Dec. 21) before wrapping up non-conference play at South Carolina (Dec. 30).

America East play begins on at UMass Lowell (Jan. 3), with other key matchups at home starting with a three-game home stretch vs Bryant (Jan. 10) in the conference home opener, followed by Binghamton (Jan. 15), and Vermont (Jan. 19).

Ticket Central 

The Great Danes’ home schedule will also see the team host fan favorite events such as Holiday Hoopla, Neon Night, Mascot Madness, hometown Heroes, and more. 

To read more about our promotional schedule and how to get your single-game tickets, click here

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.

Game Day Vibes

UAlbany will host a full lineup of themed promotional nights throughout the 2025–26 season.

• Nov. 11 vs. SUNY Delhi – Opening Night
• Nov. 18 vs. Paul Smith's College – 90's Night
• Dec. 21 vs. Cornell – Holiday Hoopla
• Jan. 10 vs. Bryant – United Way $5 Kids Day
• Jan. 15 vs. Binghamton – Mascot Madness
• Jan. 19 vs. Vermont – Family Day
• Jan. 29 vs. NJIT – Neon Night
• Jan. 31 vs. UMBC – Hometown Heroes
• Feb. 7 vs UMass Lowell – Big Purple Growl
• Feb. 26 vs Maine – Black History Month Celebration
• Feb. 28 vs New Hampshire – Senior Day / United Way $5 Kids Day

Drive the Lane with UAlbany Hoops

Drive the Lane with UAlbany Hoops is now in its fifth season! Coaches Dwayne Killings and Colleen Mullen, along with select student-athletes, will join ESPN Radio 104.5 The Team's Michael Johnson Jr. and Vinny Fredericks 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. 

UAlbany Coaches Show with Dwayne Killings on Big Board Sports

UAlbany men’s basketball head coach Dwayne Killings joins Rodger Wyland and Michael Johnson Jr. every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. on ESPN Radio 104.5 The Team throughout the basketball season. The weekly segment gives fans an inside look at the Great Danes, as Coach Killings discusses recent performances, upcoming matchups, and the latest storylines surrounding the program. Tune in each week for exclusive insights, behind-the-scenes perspectives, and all things UAlbany men’s basketball.

Social Central

Stay up to date with UAlbany men's basketball by following the team on X (@UAlbanyMBB), Instagram (@ualbany_mbb), and the team’s brand new official Facebook (UAlbany Men’s Basketball) for all of the latest news and highlights throughout the year.