Antonio Rizzuto, four others on UAlbany sidelines

Albany

Including two walk-ons, the University at Albany basketball roster has 15 players, which is proving to be a necessity.

Five scholarship players, including returning starter Antonio Rizzuto, were on the sidelines Thursday as the Great Danes practiced at SEFCU Arena.

That gave UAlbany 10 players available for practice, forcing some to play out of position.

The latest injury happened during practice when 6-foot-8 senior Kendall Lauderdale suffered a foot injury. He could return as early as Friday.

Rizzuto, a 6-3 sophomore guard, suffered a hip flexor injury a few days ago. He participated in some noncontact drills.

UAlbany coach Will Brown said he hopes Rizzuto, who averaged 9.2 points in 24 games after missing nearly two months with a knee injury, can play in an intrasquad scrimmage Saturday.

"Antonio's a concern just because of how many injuries Antonio has had and the types of injuries he has had," Brown said. "They're nagging injuries that just don't go away."

Freshman Trey Hutcheson has a finger injury that will require a brace for nine weeks.

"He's been told he can try to (play)," Brown said, "but he can't take that brace off."

Freshman Sam Shafer is out because of a groin injury and is expected to return in a week.

Junior guard JoJo Anderson will have knee surgery Oct. 22 and has yet to take the court since practice officially started Oct. 4.

"He wants to play," Brown said. "He's hoping they can salvage the meniscus, play the season, and fix the ACL in March."

In addition to tri-captain Nick Fruscio, a senior guard from Albany Academy who walked on as a freshman, the Danes added former junior college player Rian Carter from Rochester. Carter has two years of...