As the UMBC men's basketball team prepared for its game against Albany in the America East quarterfinals March 9, the prescription for success against the Great Danes was clear: don't let them shoot like they did during the last meeting.
When Albany defeated UMBC, 84-75, Feb. 23, the Great Danes shot 56.3 percent from the field and were 13-of-27 from 3-point range. Albany's 84 points were the most the Retrievers had allowed in a game all year.
This time around, UMBC forced Albany into five shot-clock violations in the first half, which helped set the tone for a 62-54 win and a trip to the America East semifinals. Defense has been the Retrievers' calling card all year, but as UMBC prepares to host Hartford in the semifinals March 12, the depth that's emerged of late for head coach Ryan Odom could be vital to winning a second consecutive America East championship.
