The University at Albany men’s basketball team kicked off the 2026-27 campaign with a 74-67 victory over Division III Rhode Island College at Broadview Center, but the performance raised immediate red flags for head coach Dwayne Killings. Despite dominating the first half and building a commanding 28-point lead with 13 minutes and 11 seconds remaining in the second half, the Great Danes appeared to lose focus, allowing the Anchormen to mount a spirited comeback. The final margin of victory, while secure, was far from comfortable, as RIC clawed back to within seven points on a late basket by Noe Bom, leaving Killings visibly concerned about the team’s consistency.
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Killings did not mince words in his post-game assessment, attributing the late-game wobble to a lack of defensive intensity and an over-reliance on three-point shooting. “If we’re going to be a real team, we’ve got to be better defensively,” Killings stated, acknowledging that his squad settled for easy shots rather than executing disciplined half-court offense. The coach admitted he failed to instill enough urgency during the final stretch, noting that the team believed they could ride out a 20-point cushion without maintaining full effort. This lapse in discipline contrasts sharply with the high standards required for a competitive America East season, particularly for a roster looking to improve upon last year’s 11-21 record.
The Great Danes now face a critical test as they prepare for their upcoming America East-Metro Challenge schedule. UAlbany will travel to face Manhattan before hosting Merrimack later this week, two opponents that will not offer the same level of leniency as the season opener. Killings emphasized the need to correct these defensive lapses immediately, warning that the current approach is unsustainable against higher-caliber competition. As the season progresses, the focus must shift from relying on offensive bursts to building a cohesive, defensive-minded unit capable of closing out games with poise and precision.
Source: Yahoo Sports
