Danes meet Rochester in the ECACs tonight

The Albany State Great Danes may not have received an invitation to this year's NCAA Division III tournament, but the purple and white will see plenty of action this weekend. The Danes arc headed to Clinton, New Vork to participate in the annual ECAC tournament featuring host Hamilton College, Oswego of the SUNYAC-Wcsl division and Albany's first round oppocncnt tonight, the University of Rochester. Because of Its affiliation with the New England Small College Athletic Conference, a conference which prohibits Its members to participate In post-season play lasting longer than one week, Hamilton in ineligible to take part in the NCAA Division III tournament also beginning tonight. However, the Continentals' credentials fare with the best in Division III. The powerhouse from central New York bears a 21-3 record, a third place ranking in the Division III national polls and a first place ranking among Division HI teams in the state. "We've come to play every night," said Hamilton basketball coach Tom Murphy. "We knew before the season started that we would not be able to go to the NCAA. We're not overjoyed about it, but we're always ready to play." The Continentals, whose fine performance this season has earned them a top seed in this year's tourney, have also defeated the Danes in each of the last three meetings between the two clubs. In midJanuary, Albany was handed a 69-53 shellacking by the Continentals in Hamilton, a loss that still looms large in the minds of some Danes. "Our first goal was to make the NCAAs," said Dane Rich Hay, "but it's good in the fact that we will get another shot at Hamilton." The Continentals did make an appearance in University Gym this season as one of four teams in the Great Dane Classic. However, Hamilton fell to the Scranton Royals, currently the nation's number one team, in the first round of that H H B H U ^ H H H B H B B ALAN CALEM UPS Mike Qatto will compete In his final game as a Great Dane this weekend In the ECAC Tournament at Hamilton College.