News & notes

 If you were hoping to see the Albany Patroons play basketball this spring, it's not going to happen.

The team announced over the weekend that they are opting out of the 2021 campaign. The Washington Avenue Armory seats as many as 3,000 people, well below the 10,000 seat capacity for arenas that are reopening elsewhere. In addition, the Armory is hosting mass vaccinations for COVID-19 for residents in Albany & Rensselaer counties, so that would've forced the Patroons to find an alternate site, and they already decided that, due to past history, the Times-Union Center is not an option.

During the Patroons' glory years, the team moved into the then-Knickerbocker Arena in 1990, but they couldn't attract more fans, and thus, the team ultimately moved out of town.

We'll see the Pats in 2022.

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The America East tournament is underway, and, for the 4th straight season, UAlbany's men's team can't get past the quarter-final round.

The men's team was eliminated by Hartford on Sunday. However, the women have advanced to the quarters, as their season continues. Both teams will finish the season below .500. Men's coach Will Brown's contract is up for renewal, and you have to believe school officials will consider the extenuating circumstances (i.e. COVID) in evaluating the Danes' performance under Brown this season. If Brown goes, don't be surprised if son Jackson (Catholic Central) transfers and follows his father out the door.

Update, 2:23 pm: Will Brown & UAlbany have agreed to part company after 20 seasons, per Rodger Wyland on his WTMM radio show. Whether or not Jackson Brown stays past this season depends on the freshman's plans after the season.

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While we're still waiting for confirmation on Saturday's women's game between Troy & Saratoga, Ryan Meikle's club will hit the road tonight for a non-league game outside their classification.

According to James Allen of the Albany Times-Union, Troy will pay a call on the Phillips twins, Lily & Sophie, and the Lady Indians of Cambridge. Game time is 7 pm. The Lady Horses will then return home to play Ballston Spa on Wednesday night.

Update, 2:07 pm.: Troy AD Paul Reinisch confirms the Troy-Saratoga women's game was postponed.