UAlbany Picked Sixth in Preseason Poll

America East coaches ranked the Great Danes sixth out of nine teams ahead of the 2026-27 basketball season.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Basketball

The UAlbany men’s basketball team was selected to finish sixth in the America East preseason coaches poll released on September 28, 2026. No Great Danes players were named to the preseason all-conference team.

Why it matters

The ranking reflects expectations for a team that finished 11-21 overall last season and is undergoing significant roster changes. Coaches cast their votes during the league's media day, excluding their own teams.

UAlbany returns four players from last year's roster while adding 11 new athletes. Vermont received 62 points and seven first-place votes, while UMBC secured 46 points and one first-place vote.

The players

UAlbany Great Danes

This is the men's basketball team representing the University at Albany.

America East Conference

This is the collegiate athletic conference that governs the UAlbany men's basketball program.

The details

The Great Danes finished 11-21 overall and 7-9 in conference play during the 2025-26 season. The preseason all-conference team for the upcoming year is composed of six players.

UAlbany finished 11-21 overall during the 2025-26 season.
The preseason poll and all-conference team were released on September 28, 2026.
UAlbany opens its 2026-27 season on November 2, 2026.

Season Trajectory

The sixth-place projection places UAlbany in the middle of the pack, forcing the team to overcome a significant roster turnover to challenge conference leaders. The performance of the 11 new additions will determine if the team can exceed this preseason prediction.

With 11 new players joining the roster, the early season games will be critical for establishing a rotation ahead of conference play. Fans can look for immediate impact from the newcomers as the team prepares for its home opener at the Broadview Center.

The takeaway

Preseason rankings serve as a barometer for how coaches view roster continuity versus new talent acquisitions. Teams with high turnover, like UAlbany, often face lower expectations until they prove their chemistry on the court.