The University at Albany men's basketball team is all set to embark on an exciting eastward journey down I-90 on Tuesday, December 10. They will face off against the powerful Syracuse Orange of the ACC. This matchup holds significant importance for the team and its fans.

"UAlbany vs. Syracuse: A Battle on the Basketball Court"

Road Performance vs. Home Dominance

This season, the University at Albany has had a 1-3 record on the road, while Syracuse stands at an impressive 4-0 at home. It will be a test of the Great Danes' ability to perform well in different environments. Byron Joshua, with an average of 13.7 points, Justin Neely at 11.7, Amar’e Marshall with 11.3, and DeMarr Langford Jr. at 10.6, all contribute significantly to the team's scoring. Joshua has been a key player, shooting 46-102 (.451%) from the field and leading the team with 34 assists, 22 steals, and 299 total minutes. The team's 10.2 steals per game is a notable statistic, ranking 12th-highest in the nation. Kheni Briggs leads the team in three-point shooting, hitting 19-42 (.452%). Amir Lindsey is also impressive, shooting 9-17 (.529%) beyond the arc. Justin Neely has been a dominant rebounder, recording 61 total boards (18 off - 43 def) for an average of 6.1 per game.

Scouting Syracuse: Recent Struggles and Key Players

Syracuse is currently on a two-game losing streak. Their most recent loss was against Notre Dame on Saturday, Dec 7, by a score of 69-64. As a team, they average 77.5 points, 28.4 field goals, 4.9 threes, 15.9 free throws, 39.4 rebounds, 14.0 assists, 10.3 turnovers, 4.3 steals, and 2.8 blocks per game. J.J. Starling, who has been out due to a left-hand injury since their 82-72 win over Cornell on November 27, 2024, is the team's leading scorer, averaging 19.8 points and shooting 44-94 (.468%) from the field. He is also shooting 9-31 (.290%) from three-point range and 22-32 (.688%) at the free throw line, with 36.7 minutes per game. Donnie Freeman leads Syracuse with 70 rebounds (7 off - 63 def) for an average of 8.8 per game. Jaquan Carlos is the team's leader in assists with 30. Chris Bell has recorded the most made threes, shooting 11-41. The Orange rank 348 out of 355 schools in three-point percentage (260%) and three-pointers per game with an average of 4.9.

Previous Encounters and Last Outing

The last time the Great Danes and Orange faced off was over a decade ago, on November 15, 2011, when #5 Syracuse defeated UAlbany 98-74. In their most recent game on December 7, 2024, the Great Danes were defeated in overtime against Boston University by a score of 80-74. Against the Terriers, DeMarr Langford Jr. led UAlbany with 14 points, shooting 6-11 in 38 minutes and going 2-2 at the free-throw line. He also led the team with seven rebounds (3 off-4 def). Kacper Klaczek shot 3-6 from beyond the arc, while Amar’e Marshall and Amir Lindsey were 2-2 from three-point range. Byron Joshua picked up six assists with one block. Marshall was the team leader in steals with four. The Great Danes shot 27-61 (44.3%) from the field, 11-19 (57.9%) beyond the arc, and 9-12 (75.0) at the line.

New Look Danes: Roster Changes for the Upcoming Season

The Great Danes have undergone a significant roster overhaul for the upcoming season. Returning players include Amar’e Marshall, along with Aaron Reddish, Zane Adnan, Bautista Giralt, Zach Matulu, and Justin Neely. New additions to the team are transfers Sully Adewale, Kheni Briggs, Byron Joshua, Kacper Klaczek, DeMarr Langford Jr., Amir Lindsey, and Damon Strand. Freshmen donning the Purple and Gold this season are Amir Lindsey, Ma’Kye Taylor, and Kani Topuz.

Drive the Lane with UAlbany Hoops: Back for the Third Season

Drive the Lane with UAlbany Hoops is officially back for a third season! Coaches Dwayne Killings and Colleen Mullen, along with select student-athletes, 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. Fans are invited to come out and enjoy food and drink specials while discussing hoops with the coaches and student-athletes.

Postgame Show: Analyzing the Contests

The UAlbany Basketball Postgame Show returns to 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio this season. It begins immediately after all games, home and away, providing fans with a 30-minute recap and initial reactions. Coach Dwayne Killings and select student-athletes join ESPN Radio's Rodger Wyland and Michael Johnson Jr. to break down the contest, give insights, and discuss the team's next matchup. Fans can tune in by turning the dial on their radio or streaming on their computers or smartphones.

Free for Students: Access to Home Games

UAlbany students can attend UAlbany basketball home games all season long for free by claiming a ticket through the UAlbany Sports Mobile App available on the Apple App Store or Google Play. Note that UAlbany Athletics is no longer using UAlbany IDs for ticketed events.

Social Central: Stay Updated

Stay up to date with UAlbany men's basketball by following the team on X (@UAlbanyMBB) and Instagram (@ualbany_mbb) for all the latest news and highlights throughout the year.