VESTAL, N.Y. - Binghamton men's basketball will face its oldest rival on Thursday when the Bearcats (4-6, 1-0 America East) travel across I-88 to meet Albany (4-8, 0-0 AE). Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at SEFCU Arena. After opening conference play with a strong win at home, BU will look to reverse a rough patch against the Great Danes, who have won 19 of the last 20 head-to-head. 

Binghamton has a balanced lineup with six players producing seven or more points a game, led by double-digit scorers Dan Petcash (11.3 ppg.), Tyler Bertram (10.9) and Kellen Amos (10.0). The team is averaging nearly 71 points per game - five more than last season. Defensively, BU is holding opponents to five fewer points than a year ago.  

QUICK HITS
• This is Binghamton's 76th season of basketball, 21st in the America East
• The 2021-22 season marks the NCAA coaching debut of Levell Sanders, who was elevated to the head coach position in March after two seasons as an assistant coach. Sanders previously coached five years in the Czech Republic after a 17-year pro career overseas
• This is the one road game sandwiched between three home games for BU
• January-February means an 18-game conference slate (home-and-home with nine other members over next 10 weeks)
• With opening win on Sunday, BU has chance to be 2-0 in league play for first time in 11 years (started 3-0 in 2010-11)  

About Binghamton
• Coming off 68-63 home win over UMass Lowell in AE opener on Sunday
• Put four in double digits led by juniors Tyler Bertram (20) and Jacob Falko (20)
• Played without three starters (McGriff, Petcash, Tinsley) but won conference opener for just the seventh time in 21 years of America East membership
• Led entire second half and held eight-win UML team to just 37% shooting
• Due to injuries/COVID, BU has used six different starting lineups in 10 games

 About Albany
• Picked to finish seventh in the America East Preseason Poll
• Have nine newcomers, along with first-year coach Dwayne Killings
• Haven't played in 16 days after seeing last two games canceled due to COVID protocols within their program
• Last game was a 68-52 road win at Lehigh on Dec. 21
• Have won three of last four after starting season 1-7
• Marquee win was 61-57 over ACC member Boston College on Dec. 13
• Offense has been limited to 58 points per game (last in AE)

All-time series vs. Albany
• Albany leads the all-time series 72-34
• The Great Danes are BU's oldest foe — the first game dates back to 1948
• Since both schools joined the America East in 2001-02, Albany leads 25-14, thanks to a current 11-year stretch where UA has won 19 of 20 and five straight  
• When both schools elevated to D1, BU won eight of the first nine games and 13 of 19 before Albany's recent dominance
• At SEFCU, Albany leads 14-5 and has won 10 straight in the series

Bearcats win AE opener with balanced effort
Binghamton won its league opener for just the seventh time in 21 years — a 68-63 home victory over UMass Lowell on Sunday. The Bearcats put four in double figures, led by dual 20-point showings from junior guards Tyler Bertram and Jacob Falko. Bertram reached the 20-point mark for the second time this season and Falko netted his season-high and added a team-high five assists. The game featured 13 lead changes in the first half before BU stayed ahead the entire second half and hit 12-of-15 free throws to seal the win.

Falko heating up
After being limited to 14 combined points in three previous games, junior guard Jacob Falko has exploded for 37 combined points in his last two outings. His 20-point showing vs. UMass Lowell was aided by 9-of-10 FT accuracy. Falko added a team-high five assists and five rebounds.  

Hinckson produces best overall game of Bearcats tenure
Taking advantage of his third straight start, junior wing Christian Hinckson recorded his first double-double as a Bearcat on Sunday. He contributed 11 points and a career-high 12 rebounds in the win over Lowell. Hinckson also logged a collegiate-high 39 minutes.

The Bearcats in the America East
Binghamton is entering its 21st season of membership in the America East. The Bearcats are 119-203 all-time (37%) during those two decades. The team's best regular season conference records came in 2008-09 (13-3, 1st) and 2005-06 (12-4, 2nd). The program also had 10 America East wins in 2003-04 (5th place) and nine wins in both 2002-03 (4th) and 2007-08 (T-4th). Binghamton has been kept below six conference wins in 11 straight seasons.  

70 is magic number
When the Bearcats score 70 or more points, they are 3-1 this season. When opponents reach 70, BU is 0-4.

Akuwovo tops team in season plus/minus ratings
Junior center Ogheneyole Akuwovo has the best plus/minus rating on the Bearcats with a +10 mark (not including the team's games against Division III opponents). Akuwovo was +13 against Columbia for his best single game.