UAlbany hoops team exits NCAA tournament after a good effort
The #16 seed UAlbany men's basketball team lost to #1 seed Florida 67-55 in the NCAA tournament's round of 64 Thursday afternoon.
The Great Danes put up a good fight. The two teams traded the lead back and forth through the first half before the Gators took a six point lead into the locker room at halftime. Florida didn't relinquish the lead the rest of the game. (The the score was tied for a bit around the 14 minute mark of the second half.) UAlbany played hard -- it was just up against too much size and strength.
DJ Evans had another stand-out game for the Great Danes. The 5-9 (maybe) guard took a beating going up against the much bigger Gators. But he finished as the game's leading scorer, with 21 points (on 6-12 shooting) with 6 rebounds.
An Albany win would have been a titanic upset. A 16 seed has never beaten a 1 seed. And Florida hadn't lost since December. These match-ups are usually blow outs. UAlbany's 12-point loss was an atypically small margin for a #1 vs. #16 game.
The Great Danes finish the season 19-15, including its "first four" win this week -- the program's first-ever NCAA tournament win.
screengrab: TBS/NCAA March Madness Live
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Comments
The Danes played great today, and if not for a bad break or two (Evans getting kneed in the head) the game could have been much closer.
Very proud to be a UAlbany grad and looking forward to the future success of the basketball program.
... said Jeff Williamson on Mar 20, 2014 at 7:47 PM | link
Watching these guys (especially DJ Evans!) play their hearts out (and do so with a humble mix of optimism, humor, and effort) gave me a true taste of school spirit -- something I didn't often feel while a student at this large state school, not well-known for its athletic programs, with a student body and community that was largely apathetic toward its sports teams.
Although it would have been fantastic to see these great underdogs win (no, I didn't have a bracket), cause that crazy upset, and send the Gators crawling back to the swamp, I think the Danes at least made sure this country now knows who they are.
I can only hope this means great things to come for the school and its basketball team! Thanks to the team for making this Great Dane proud!
... said Nicole on Mar 21, 2014 at 9:10 AM | link
A seed other than 16 would have them playing tomorrow.
... said ace on Mar 21, 2014 at 9:25 AM | link
UALBANY- GREAT GAME GREAT SEASON GREAT PLAYERS AND COACHES.
The number 16 David almost Slayed # 1 Goliath, resulting in ONLY a 12 point UAlbany loss. I'm looking forward to watching UAlbany's basketball program in the 2014-2015 season.
... said Alvin on Mar 22, 2014 at 3:47 PM | link