Underdog? Great Danes always stand tall.
After dropping a pair of regular-season meetings with Vermont, fourth-seeded Albany surprised the Catamounts when it counted most – in the America East Conference Championship on Saturday.
Senior guard Jacob Iati drained a pair of late treys to lift the Great Danes to a 53-49 victory in Burlington and their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2007.
Need more facts about the Capital Region contingent? Here are five on the house:
1. The Great Danes picked up their 11th road win Saturday, breaking a program record for road victories (10) set during the 2006-07 season. The catalysts? Three Albany starters are averaging double figures away from SEFCU Arena; senior guards Mike Black with 14.5 points and Jacob Iati at 11.7 points, and sophomore forward Sam Rowley with 10.8 points.
2. Real great danes chase frisbees. These Great Danes chase freebies. When the clock winds down to two minutes or less in the second half, Albany shoots 80.4 percent (78-97) from the stripe. That number becomes even more meaningful in March. 
3. Certain combinations unlock wins. In Albany’s case, it’s the telling tandem of Black, a four-year all-conference selection, and Iati. When the duo combines for 30 or more points, the Great Danes are 13-3. And when either player leads the team in scoring, Albany is 18-6.
4. You can call him Iron Man. Senior Blake Metcalf – a 6-9 center from Camby, Indiana – has played in 132 consecutive games; all 32 games as a freshman year, 32 more as a sophomore, all 34 as a junior and 34 this season. A durable and physical post presence, Metcalf averages 3.7 points and 4.1 caroms in just shy of 20 minutes per contest.
5. Albany joined the Division I ranks as an independent in 1999-2000 before joining the America East Conference in 2001-02. This will be their third NCAA Tournament appearance.
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