UAlbany Men's Basketball Started Preseason Practice

The Great Danes began preparations for the 2026-27 season at the Broadview Center on Monday.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Basketball

UAlbany Men's Basketball Started Preseason Practice

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The UAlbany men's basketball team officially tipped off its preseason training at the Broadview Center this week. The squad is looking to improve upon its 11-21 record from the 2025-26 season as it integrates a heavily revamped roster.

Why it matters

Coaches are prioritizing a tough, competitive mentality to help the program move past recent injury struggles and inconsistency. This cultural shift aims to unify a roster that includes 11 new additions ahead of the upcoming schedule.

The current roster features 11 new additions, including eight international players representing seven different countries. The team is managing key injuries, with the shortest player on the roster currently standing at 6-foot-2.

The players

Ben Michaels

He is a member of the UAlbany men's basketball team who is sidelined for the season following a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Pedro Santos

He is a UAlbany men's basketball player currently undergoing recovery protocols for a fractured foot.

Ollie Engen

He is a recent transfer to the UAlbany basketball program who previously played for Queen's University.

Amir Lindsey

He is a former UAlbany player who transferred to Fordham during the offseason after averaging 17.9 points per game.

The details

The program collaborated with strength and conditioning staff to prioritize health management following a summer that saw Ben Michaels suffer a season-ending torn ACL and Pedro Santos sustain a fractured foot. Coaching staff utilized imagery of boxers during the first sessions to instill a gritty, competitive mindset for the team.

The team finished the 2025-26 season with an 11-21 record.
The first preseason practice was held on Monday, September 21, 2026.
The season opener against Rhode Island College is scheduled for November 2, 2026.

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Season Trajectory

This preseason marks a fundamental restructuring of the program, as the team relies on a massive influx of new talent to offset the loss of key contributors like Amir Lindsey. The outcome of these early practice sessions will determine if the squad can build the necessary chemistry to contend in upcoming away games at Syracuse and Penn State.

The heavy reliance on 11 new players, including eight international recruits, means the team's rotation will look vastly different than in previous years. Fans should monitor the injury recovery status of Ben Michaels and Pedro Santos, as their availability will significantly impact the team's defensive depth and overall performance.

The takeaway

Building team cohesion quickly will be the defining challenge for the Great Danes given the high volume of incoming transfers. Establishing a physical, competitive identity early in the season is vital for the team to overcome its recent history of injury-related setbacks.