The set-up: It's the semifinals of the America East tourney with No. 2 seed Stony Brook (12-4) hosting Albany, which finished at 10-6. The winner most likely will have to play at No. 1 seed Vermont, which went 16-0 in league play this year.

Albany: The Great Danes have had a solid team in recent seasons and this year has been no different, with wins in six of seven after routing Hartford 100-71 in the America East quarterfinals (Albany's 20th win). That said, Albany relies heavily on guards Nichols (18.0-3.4-3.2) and Cremo (16.3-5.3-3.9), as no other player averages as much as 8.0 PPG.

Stony Brook: The Sea Wolves, like Albany, have been a solid club in recent years. They finished second to Vermont, despite losing their final two games. Stony Brook righted the ship against Binghamton, taking a 16-point lead at the half and winning, 70-60, to advance to the conference semifinals. Guard Woodhouse (14.8-3.4-5.2) is the team-leader but gets help on the perimeter from Nyama (10.8 & 4.6) and freshman Yeboah (9.4 & 4.9). The best frontcourt player is the 6-7 Sturdivant (10.8 & 5.6).

The pick: Albany has played better down the stretch but lost to Stony Brook in both regular season meetings. Revenge you say! Not at this price. Stony Brook is an 8* play.