518 Alumni watch

 Columbia High grad Kevin Smith got a searing dose of reality right before pre-season play begins.

Smith, called up by Toronto last season, was traded to Oakland earlier this week in exchange for veteran third baseman Matt Chapman as the A's are shedding salaries. WNYT's Rodger Wyland, writing in the Albany Times-Union today, thinks Smith could be starting at 3rd for Oakland as they open the season at Philadelphia.

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Syracuse and Glens Falls grad Joseph Girard III are done for the season, but there's still plenty of 518 ties in the NCAA men's & women's tournaments.

As you know, UAlbany has a trio of Section II alums: Abby Ray (Saratoga), Grace Heeps (Columbia, by way of UMass), and Lilly Phillips (Cambridge). 

The Lady Danes will play Louisville in Wichita, Kansas Friday at 6 pm, with the game to air on ESPNU (Spectrum channel 370).

Isaiah Powell (Colonie) is finishing his senior season at Vermont, and will be on the court as the Catamounts play Arkansas later tonight.

Andre Jackson (Albany Academy) could see Powell if the Catamounts win and UConn beats New Mexico State. as the Huskies would play Vermont on Saturday.

August Mahoney (Albany Academy) is a sophomore at Yale, which opens vs. Purdue on Friday.

Riley Mulvey (Albany Academy) is a freshman playing for former Siena coach Fran McCaffery at Iowa. The Hawkeyes play Richmond this afternoon.

Kieran O'Hare (Albany Academy), a freshman at Providence, should see some playing time when the Friars play South Dakota State today.

Sophie Phillips (Cambridge) is a freshman at Rhode Island, as the Lady Rams are playing in the Women's NIT.