' The Day After ' sparks strong campus reaction

AI Monday afternoon's press lunehcon Tor this weekend's Capital Dislrict Basketball Tournament, the atmosphere was strictly friendly and informal. Coaches and players from the three area learns were present, and they spent lime together discussing topics ranging from last year's tournament to Devil's Bag being scratched from the Remsen. But when the ball goes up for the opening tap tonight al University Gym the atmosphere will be anything but friendly. College basketball will be underway. For the host Albany Great Danes, who will face CCNY in tonight's second game, revenge will certainly be in their thoughts. Last year the Danes entered the tournament at Union as the prclournament favorite, at least in their minds. Bul after narrowly defeating Rl'l In the opening round, they were knocked off by Ihe host Dutchmen in a classic 79-74 triple overtime thriller of a final. This year the Danes enter the tournament as more of an underdog, according lo Albany Head Coach Dick Sauers. "I felt last year we came into the tournament as a team and we felt we were the team that should win the tournament," Sauers said. "When we lost that triple overtime game that was kind of a blow to our ego. I think this year we're coming in a little more uncertain, We feel that we have as good a learn as anybody, bul I don'l think any of my players classify themselves as the pre-tournament favorite." Thai role would appear to belong to the defending champion Dutchmen, of whom Sauers said at the luncheon, "I think Union's got by far the most talented group returning and the best record last year. Obviously, Ihey'vc gol lo be the favorite." Union, who will open ihe tournament against RPI lonighl al 6:30, had Iheir best basketball campaign ever in 1982-83, finishing al 21-5 and gaining Ihe first NCAA bcrlh in ihe school's history, where they were knocked off by Harlwick in Ihe first round or the Easl Regional. Head Coach Bill Scanlon has four out of live starters returning and, up until a few weeks ago, Union seemed lo be on the verge of another big year. But recent injuries have set them back somewhat, and it appears ihe Dutchmen are nol as ready as anticipated. The graduation of polnl guard Joe Clinton (14.6 points per game, 7 assists per game last year) left a huge void, bul one that seemed lo be more than adequately filled by junior Peler Tornccllo. Bul lorncello, an excellent shooter and ballhandler who transferred from division 1 Rhode Island and thus had lo sil out last year, recently injured ligaments in his thumb. According IO Scanlon he will be out anywhere from two to six weeks. In addiiion, swingman Jim Doherty hurl his knee in Ihe preseason and is out indefinitely. This has forced a bit of reshuffling, according lo Scanlon, including moving Joe Wood (19.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.6 apg) from