News & notes

 Based on what transpired at MVP Arena Friday & Sunday, arena officials would love to bring the NCAA men's basketball tournament back to Albany within 4 years time.

After Sunday's play, Connecticut and Miami advanced to the Sweet 16. Connecticut opened the action on Sunday night, dispatching St. Mary's, 70-55. The Huskies now will travel to Las Vegas to play Arkansas on Thursday night.

Andre Jackson (Albany Academy), with all the pre-game hype surrounding his return to the 518 on Friday, finished the weekend with just 12 points (10 on Friday, 2 on Sunday). While he is a starter, he is not a featured star for UConn.

Photo courtesy Albany Times-Union.

In the nightcap, Miami took down Indiana, 85-69, to advance to the Sweet 16 Friday vs. Houston.

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While UAlbany was knocked out of the women's NIT tournament on Friday, another team with ties to the 518 advanced.

Rhode Island downed Boston University, and will play Richmond this afternoon. Dolly Cairns (Saratoga) had 7 points, and Sophie Phillips (Cambridge) had 6 in support of the Lady Rams' leading scorer, Tenin Magassa, who had 12. Today's game will be streaming on ESPN3 at 3 pm.

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Chalk up another win for the Albany Patroons.

Derrick Rowland, Sr.'s club has now won 6 straight after a season opening loss, dispatching Jamestown, 90-86. Josue Salaam led the Pats with 20 points. On Saturday, Academie Alma, who were swept by the Pats last weekend in Quebec, come to town looking for revenge.

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Anthony Germinerio (Averill Park/UAlbany) made his season debut for George Washington on Sunday. That was the good news. The bad news, of course, was that the Colonials lost again, as Niagara won the series with a 4-2 victory. Germinerio pitched 2 2/3 innings, giving up a run on 3 hits, 2 walks, and 2 strikeeouts. Brett Young (Albany Academy/Siena/Virginia Commonwealth) didn't play, as he's still struggling at the plate, though he had a good outing earlier in the series. The Colonials visit Maryland on Tuesday.