Kellogg seizes opportunity in UAlbany men’s basketball’s latest loss

February 10, 2023 Abraham Smith

TROY — Junior forward Japannah Kellogg III doesn’t often see the pitch for the University at Albany men’s basketball team.

The 6-foot-8 transfer from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay averages just under six minutes and 1.4 points per game.

But after Kellogg scored 15 points in 16 minutes with four rebounds in Wednesday’s 87-62 loss to Bryant, coach Dwayne Killings said he deserved more game chances, especially with the Great Danes (6-20, 1-10 America East). Eight-game losing streak.

“Even though he doesn’t have a lot of playing time, he’s gotten a lot better,” Killings said. “You have to give him a chance. I just think that’s the right thing. And at this point, why not?”

If: 2 p.m. Saturday

Where: dr Bai Lee Court, Vestal Virgin

Electricity: ESPN3; Radio: WTMM 104.5 FM

Kellogg played the final 30 seconds of the first half and entered the second early, with the Great Danes 27 points behind. He shot 7-for-11, with the majority of his baskets coming from jumpers just outside the restricted area. He finished only behind Gerald Drumgoole Jr., UAlbany’s top scorer who had 16 points.

“I’m just trying to give what the team needs,” Kellogg said. “We had the right shots early in the game, they just didn’t fall and then we kind of lost each other. I think I was just able to get a rhythm from that, but I think everyone could get what I had tonight.

“He’s a great teammate and few people realize he works very hard,” Drumgoole said of Kellogg. “And I feel like today was an example of how he capitalized on his opportunity. You know he can’t play that many minutes but he did and he came out 7/11, 15 points and it was huge for us. It’s just a step in the right direction for him and the rest of the team.”

The Great Danes shot 9 to 29 (31 percent) in the first half, falling 51 to 27 at halftime and 13 to 35 (37.1 percent) in the second. They also struggled to defend, allowing Bryant to shoot almost 50 percent overall and 40 percent from 3.

“I appreciate all the words that (Drumgoole) said. There are still tasks I missed. I know I could have gotten three rebounds,” Kellogg said. “And there’s just other defensive roles that I missed and I know a lot of people missed defensive roles and so we just have to focus more on the defensive end.”

Last season at Green Bay, Kellogg averaged 6.7 points and four rebounds in 24.2 minutes per game, with a career-high 17 points. He made 21 starts. At UAlbany, Kellogg has only played more than 10 minutes four times; his 16 minutes on Wednesday was his second-highest season. He played a high 22 minutes in one loss at NJIT and had a best four points of the previous season in 2-on-2 shooting with six rebounds.

“I feel like I have to influence the game the moment the game starts. I try to be the loudest person on the bench so I don’t think it’s too much of a surprise if (Killings) calls my number just because I’m trying to help my teammates as best I can. We just have to all stay ready, and I think sometimes we forget that,” Kellogg said.

He could get his next chance on Saturday when UAlbany visits Binghamton at 2pm for a tip.

The Great Danes are at the end of the conference but their postseason hopes are still alive – with five games remaining they are 2 1/2 games behind NJIT in eighth place.

“I feel like the only way we can go is up. As the last in the conference, we are at the bottom. It should be a hell of a story if we make the playoffs,” Drumgoole said. “I still believe in this team. I still have a feeling we could find out.”

America East

UAlbany near Binghamton

Saturday February 11, 2023