Who: Albany (2-3) at Rider (1-2).

When: Tuesday, 7 p.m., Alumni Gymnasium.

TV: None.

Radio: 107.7 FM The Bronc.

Last Time Out: Rider def. Central Connecticut State, 89-73; Albany lost to Bucknell, 77-64.

Coaches: Rider — Kevin Baggett, 2nd season (20-17); Albany — Will Brown, 13th season (174-193).

Background: The Broncs open their home slate Tuesday against the defending America East tournament champion Great Danes.

This is the return game from a BracketBuster two seasons ago that sent Rider to New York’s capital city. That contest was also the only meeting between the two school, which Albany won, 70-61.


The Broncs are also playing six of their first seven games away from Alumni Gymnasium and don’t have another home date until hosting Quinnipiac on Dec. 8.

Albany, under 13th-year coach Will Brown, has won at least 15 games in seven of the last eight seasons, including three trips to the NCAA Tournament.

The Danes won 24 games last season, falling to Duke in the second round of the NCAA tourney.

They’ll enter play on a three-game losing streak, but coach Kevin Baggett still expects a tight battle.

“They’re a well-coached team,” Baggett said. “They play well together and share the ball well. They’re a tough to team to plan for on short rest because of all the sets they run.”

Look for 6-foot-6 forward Sam Rowley to test Rider’s post defense. Rowly is averaging 13.6 points per game and Baggett said he’s one of the better post players the Broncs will face all season.

Projected Starting Lineups: Rider: G-Zedric Sadler (So., 16 ppg), G-Anthony Myles (Sr., 16.7 ppg), G-Jimmie Taylor (Fr., ,10.3 ppg), F-Danny Stewart (Sr., 19 ppg), F-Kahlil Thomas (Fr., 3.3 ppg).
Albany: G-DJ Evans (Sr., 11 ppg), G-Peter Hoolye (So., 16 ppg), F-Sam Rowley (Jr., 13.6 ppg), F-Dave Wiegmann (Sr., 4.4 ppg), C-John Puk (Sr., 4.8 ppg).