ALBANY STATE MEN’S PREVIEW: Albany State men adjusting to coach Michael Moore

ALBANY — Last season was about adjusting on the fly for the Albany State Rams basketball team. Former head coach Chris Cameron resigned just before the season started and the team had to adjust to interim coach Michael Moore.

Midway through the season, several players became eligible and Moore had to adjust his game plan to fit them in. The year would eventually come to an end in the first round of the SIAC tournament.

The Rams will begin the 2015-16 season with preseason conference selections and are predicted to finish last in the SIAC East this year. While they don’t have the respect of those around the SIAC just yet, they do have that of Moore.

The coach said he was able to go out and get the personnel needed to play his dual tempo.

“My style is dual tempo, meaning if we’re getting steals and controlling the defensive boards, then we’re out and we’re running and getting the ball up the floor,” he said. “Of course, if we’re not getting any steals or deflections or getting the boards, then we’re gonna have to execute our half-court offense. So the defense dictates the style of play.”

Last season, the Rams carried out this style of play for the first 10 minutes and then fizzled out and lost the lead by the half. Moore said in order for this style to work, it is imperative to have athletic guards and quick big men that can keep up with them. He said that’s just what he went out and found this offseasaon.

The team returns seniors Earl Farnum, Chris Wheeler and Dominique Pollard and will count on them for leadership. They were also able to add players such as former Westover standout Jordan Floyd and Albany Tech transfers Brandon Hudson and Miles Inman. Lance Dixon and Michael Green Jr. also return from last year’s team and after football season is over, they’ll have former Albany High standout Malik Dungee at their disposal.

At the team’s media day earlier this month, both Wheeler and Farnum said the adjustment in Year 2 has been a lot smoother now that they know what to expect from their new head coach. With a roster that contains mostly underclassmen, Moore said he’s counting on the seniors to hold down the fort until his “young runnin’, gunnin’ Rams” find their way.

“They [the seniors] came back with positive attitude,” he said. “They’re having fun with me. They finally know who coach Moore really is and they’re having fun and have bought into the system and the style of play. I’m hoping Farnum, Pollard, Wheeler can hold the fort down until these young guys get used to playing. They’ve played in the conference, they’ve been to all the gyms, they know the style of play in the SIAC. So hopefully, they can hold the fort down until my young guns can grow up.”

The Rams will start the season on the road against Georgia College on Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m.