Everything You Need to Know About UAlbany vs. Mount St. Mary’s

UAlbany takes the floor tonight at 6:40 p.m. in Dayton, Ohio in an NCAA tournament “First Four” game. The game is on TruTv.

The Danes meet Mount St. Mary’s of the Northeast Conference for the right to go on to play the top overall seed, the Florida Gators.

I was joined this morning by Laura Amato of the Troy Record, who has spent the entire season covering the Danes. Here’s everything you need to know about UA heading into tonight’s matchup.

Follow Laura Amato on Twitter @LauraAmato

UAlbany: America East Champion

Record: 18-14 (9-7, AE play)

The Danes have won six of their last seven, including upsets of Vermont and Stony Brook in the America East tournament. Peter Hooley leads the team in scoring at 15.7 per game. He scored 26 against the top-seeded Catamounts in the semifinals before hitting a crucial three to help seal the win against Stony Brook in the final.

Listen as Amato talks about Hooley’s play.

This Will Be a Game of Will

These two teams couldn’t be more different. UAlbany averages 66 points a game and allows just 63. Mount St. Mary’s scores and allows nearly 80.

If the Danes can slow the tempo down to a grind-it-out pace, they have the clear edge. If the game turns into a track meet, the advantage heads back to the champs of the Northeast Conference.

Opponents shoot 50 percent from the floor against Mount St. Mary’s. If UA can just stay disciplined in the half court and execute, they have a great chance to earn the program’s first ever tournament win.

Listen to what that would mean to head coach Will Brown, who has now taken the Danes to four NCAA tournaments.

Rebounding and Foul Shooting Can Win this Game for the Danes

UAlbany out-rebounded Vermont by more than 15 in the A-East semis and they are +3 a game on the glass per game for the season.

The ability to limit a team to one shot means everything come March. It helps keep you out of foul trouble and helps you get into your offense.

Furthermore, Albany shoots 75 percent at the line for the season. If this game is close late, the Danes are in a solid position to win.

Listen to the full UAlbany interview here as we also talked about the team's reaction to being in a play-in game, X-Factors for the Danes and what kind of crowd the Purple and Gold will have.