NCAA BK

PLAYING FOR PRIDE IN BIG GAME

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Updated Dec 6, 2009 10:30 AM ET
     
 
The annual men's basketball game between Siena College and the University at Albany presents this riddle: When does a game mean so much and so little? Despite the fact that the schools play in different leagues and harbor much larger goals than winning one early season game, Siena vs. UAlbany has become one of the biggest sporting events in the Capital Region. More than 11,750 tickets have been sold for tonight's game at Times Union Center. In an area where Division I basketball reigns supreme on the sports scene through the fall and winter months, the game's attendance could break the series' record of 13,262, which was set two years ago. Clearly fans and those within each program see plenty at stake, even for a game that by Sunday morning counts as nothing more than one more win for one program and one loss for another. "There's a lot of pride involved with alumni, fans of each program," University at Albany coach Will Brown said. "This is a great basketball area. For me, I think it's an important game and a great game for us because it's against a very good opponent. The venue we're playing in, it's a packed house." Bragging rights are personal not just for fans but for players, too. During the summer, Siena and UAlbany players often play pick-up games together, and some keep in touch into the season. "Anytime you go up against friends, it gives you all the more reason to want to win," Siena point guard Ronald Moore said. Plus, both teams will be playing in front one of the largest crowds they experience all season. The Danes are averaging about 2,800 fans per game at SEFCU Arena, and the Saints normally draw about 6,900 to Times Union Center. "I challenge myself every game, but I really want this one," UAlbany senior forward Will Harris said. "It's always exciting when you have 14,000 people watching you." Of course, both teams need a win for reasons beyond those. Siena, which has been to the NCAA Tournament each of the past two years, entered the season with expectations of another championship run. That may yet come to fruition, but for now the Saints, who are 4-3, simply are looking to compile victories. They've dropped key non-conference games against Temple, St. John's and Georgia Tech. Siena also plays what is, in many ways, a more important game Monday when it faces Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opponent Iona. UAlbany, meanwhile, is hoping this season to get back to the sort of success that saw the program reach the NCAA Tournament in both 2006 and 2007. The Danes, though, are only 3-5 and have lost three of their past four games. Historically speaking, Siena and UAlbany played just about every year from the 1940s through the mid 1970s, but the rivalry only became the large-scale event of today when the series began again during the 2001-02 season. The Saints have won seven of the eight games since, including the past four. But two were decided in overtime and the other two by only four and seven points, respectively. "I think it's going to be a big thing because the games have been good," Siena coach Fran McCaffery said. "If one team was running away with it, then I don't think it would have quite the same interest level. But the four years I've been in it, it has come right down to the last minute." Pete Iorizzo can be reached at 454-5425 or by e-mail at piorizzo@timesunion.com TIP: Inside C1,3 Breakdown of the game.
Tagged: Siena

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