*Team Stats updated with conference only figures
Projected 2015-16 Record
12-4, Second place
2014-15 Record
15-1 (8-0 road, 7-1 home), Regular season and postseason champion
2014-15 Attendance
3,531 average, 28,249 total
2014-15 PPG
66.6, tied for 2nd in America East
2014-15 Opp PPG
56.1, 2nd in America East
2014-15 3 Point FG %
37.5%, 2nd in America East
2014-15 FT %
76.5%, 1st in America East
2014-15 Rebound Margin
+6.6, 2nd in America East
2014-15 Assists
11.7, 4th in America East
2014-15 T/O Margin
+1.25, 3rd in America East
What's Gone
The Great Danes lose 7 players from their 2014-15 roster; 2 by way of graduation, and another 5 to transfer. Albany suffers a major loss with the graduation of Sam Rowley. Rowley leaves Albany as their career leader in division 1 rebounding and at 14.37 points per game during conference play was the Great Danes leading scorer during the 2014-15 season. Besides leading the Danes in rebounding and scoring Rowley also led the team in blocks, and was third in assists per game.
Other Albany losses include the transfer of Wheeler Baker who averaged 5.12 points during league play in 13.69 minutes of action. Baker's ability to stretch the defense with his unlimited range from deep will certainly be missed by the Great Danes during the 2015-16 season. Tre Green departs after a Sophomore season that saw him average 2.33 points in 5.67 minutes per game. Max Twyman has transferred to Hartford after appearing in 8 contests, averaging just under 2 minutes per game while averaging 0.75 points per game. Mike Wells transfers after appearing in 7 games for Albany during the 2014-15 season. The final two Albany departures are that of Ede Egharevba to graduation and Geremy McKay after redshirting during the 2014-15 season.
Overall Albany loses 35.8% of their offensive production and 31.1% of their rebounding from 2014-15 America East play that saw the Great Danes lose only one game during their conference schedule.
Other Albany losses include the transfer of Wheeler Baker who averaged 5.12 points during league play in 13.69 minutes of action. Baker's ability to stretch the defense with his unlimited range from deep will certainly be missed by the Great Danes during the 2015-16 season. Tre Green departs after a Sophomore season that saw him average 2.33 points in 5.67 minutes per game. Max Twyman has transferred to Hartford after appearing in 8 contests, averaging just under 2 minutes per game while averaging 0.75 points per game. Mike Wells transfers after appearing in 7 games for Albany during the 2014-15 season. The final two Albany departures are that of Ede Egharevba to graduation and Geremy McKay after redshirting during the 2014-15 season.
Overall Albany loses 35.8% of their offensive production and 31.1% of their rebounding from 2014-15 America East play that saw the Great Danes lose only one game during their conference schedule.
What Arrives
#2 Jamir Andrews (Jr) 6'3'' 220 pound guard. Averaged 18.9 PPG while shooting 42.1% from the field and 38% from three during the 2014-15 season at Sheridan College.
#3 Joe Cremo (Fr) 6'4'' 190 pound guard. Averaged 22 points, 11.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists and 3.5 steals per game over a 3 year career for Scotia-Glenville...two time New York State Class A POY.
#11 Chas Brown (Jr) 6'8'' 220 pound forward. Averaged 10.9 PPG and 7.9 RPG at Baltimore City CC during the 2014-15 season. Started 24 of 27 games for BCCC playing 23.4 minutes per game. (Has left team for personal reasons)
#30 Travis Charles (Jr) 6'6'' 235 pound forward. Averaged 13.9 points and 6.7 rebounds while shooting 62.7% from the field in 32 games for Howard College during the 2014-15 season.
#21 David Nichols (Fr) 6'0'' 185 pound guard. Averaged 21.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game as a high school senior.
#34 Kyle McKinley (Fr) 6'10'' 220 pound forward/center. Averaged 15.8 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.6 blocks during his senior season at Stillwater in Minnesota.
What Returns
#12 Peter Hooley (Sr) 6'4'' 200 pound guard. Hooley missed half of the 2014-15 America East conference slate to be with his ailing mother. Her unfortunate passing left Peter with a tough decision: to stay with his family in Australia or return to the Capital District. With the blessing of his family and support from his Albany family, Hooley would return to his teammates. In his first game back against NJIT Hooley would record his 1000th career point on the road against NJIT. Over 8 America East conference games Hooley would average 13.45 points, 2.09 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 29.55 minutes. If anyone is going to challenge two time defending America East POY Jameel Warney for the award in 2015-16 it's this man right here. Had a game high of 21 points during the 14-15 season.
#0 Evan Singletary (Sr) 6'1'' 195 pound guard. Singletary led the Great Danes in minutes per game at 35.26 per game during conference play; quite an accomplishment considering he plays the demanding position of point guard, and it was his first year in the Albany system. During the 2014-15 season Singletary would average 13 points, 2.8 assists while shooting 40.1% from three; starting all 33 games for the Great Danes. Had a game high of 21 points during the 14-15 season.
#1 Ray Sanders (Sr) 6'4'' 210 pound guard. Sanders led Albany during the 2014-15 season with 1.4 steals per game which was good enough for 6th in the conference. Along with his perimeter defense Sanders contributed 9.7 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game and 2.2 assists per game. Overall the Colonel would shoot 36.8% from deep while averaging 29.7 minutes per game in 33 starts for the Great Danes. Had a game high of 19 points during the 14-15 season.
#24 Dallas Ennema (Jr) 6'6'' 210 pound guard/forward. Ennema stepped into a starting role for Albany while Hooley was away; averaging 4.9 points and 2.0 rebounds per game while shooting 32.6% from three. Overall Enema would start in 16 of the 33 games he appeared, averaging 19.2 minutes per game. Had a game high of 18 points during the 14-15 season.
#10 Mike Rowley (Jr) 6'8'' 230 pound forward. Rowley would finish 4th in the America East; just behind his older brother Sam in offensive rebounding, with 62 total offensive rebounds (1.8 per game) during the 2014-15 season. Mike would contribute 3.8 points, 4.4 rebounds while shooting 71.1% from the free throw line for the Great Danes. Had a game high of 13 points during the 14-15 season.
#22 Richard Peters (Jr) 6'11'' 280 pound center. Peters averaged 2.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in 10.9 minutes per game for the Great Danes while shooting 59.6% from the field during the 2014-15 season. Had a game high of 8 points during the 14-15 season.
#43 Greig Stire (So) 6'7'' 240 pound forward. Averaged 2.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in 10.6 minutes per game while appearing in all 33 games for Albany during the 2014-15 season. Had a game high of 8 points during the 14-15 season.
#13 Reece Williams (Sr) 6'1'' 200 pound guard. Appeared in 7 games averaging 1.6 minutes, 0.3 points per game while shooting 100% from the free throw line as a walk on during the 2014-15 season. Had a game high of 2 points during the 14-15 season.
Coaching Staff
Will Brown - Head Coach
Jon Iati - Assistant Coach
Josh Pellletier - Assistant Coach
Jared Knotts - Assistant Coach
Simon Clement- Director of Basketball Operations
Generally when a squad returns four out of five starters from a team that only lost 1 game during conference play the previous season they're a shoe in to be the preseason favorite the following season. The loss of Sam Rowley combined with how competitive the top of the America East conference will be in 2015-16 slides the Great Danes into second. The Albany offense ran through Rowley during the 14-15 season, and it'll be interesting to see how the guards are able to adjust now that he's gone.
Don't forget that the Great Danes had to adjust to life without Peter Hooley in conference play during the 14-15 season. The ability of Albany's players and coaching staff to not only tread water, but thrive without Hooley was truly something remarkable. Coming off tremendous inaugural seasons, and with a year of America East experience under their belt, expect Evan Singletary and Ray Sanders to combine with Peter Hooley to form America East's best backcourt.
The departure of Sam Rowley leaves a void in the front court that will be attempted to be filled by the quartet of Richard Peters, Mike Rowley, Greig Stire and Chas Brown. While the Great Danes lose their go to post scorer in Sam Rowley they will be much longer up front this season. Both Richard Peters and Greig Stire should benefit from the experience they gained during the 2014-15 season, as both at times looked like they were overthinking and going through the motions rather than just playing. Each player was affected differently; as Peters was hesitant at times on the offensive end, while Stire's footwork suffered on the defensive end.
The regular season America East title could very well come down to the development of the Stony Brook back court vs the development of the Albany front court.
Unofficial Player Quote
"How are things down under? Blossoming I hope..." - Pick an Aussie
Biased Outlook
This Albany team will be one of the most talented to step foot inside SEFCU arena. Quite impressive considering I rate them hire than last years team who may have had the best season in Albany history at the division 1 level. The Great Danes are coming off three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, as Peter Hooley looks to close out his storied career with a fourth dance.
While the team may show it's flaws early; as they adjust to life without Sam Rowley, the Albany coaching staff has shown their ability to have the Dane's ready come America East Tournament time.
Jamar Wilson, Jon Iati and crew built the program with Will Brown and Chad Odonnell; now it's time to find out if Peter Hooley with Jon Iati, Chad Odonnell and Will Brown on the sidelines can turn them into an America East dynasty.
Next Up: Vermont Catamounts
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