UAlbany hopes rebuilding year develops into bright future

Baltimore

Events of March 29, 2018, effectively dictated the direction of the 2018-19 University at Albany basketball team.

That's when the news emerged that all-America East guards Joe Cremo (Villanova) and David Nichols (Florida State), each with a year of eligibility remaining, were leaving the program.

For the first time in nearly a decade, the Great Danes went from reloading to rebuilding.

The results were predictable, even if the path wasn't. Ending its season Saturday with a loss to UMBC in the conference tournament quarterfinals, UAlbany finished 12-20, its poorest mark since the 7-25 record of 2009-10.

"Credit to (coach) Will Brown and his staff," UMBC coach Ryan Odom said.