Siena announced that it they will travel to Lawrence, Kansas on January 6, 2009 to play the reigning national champion Kansas Jayhawks. Kansas will be without starters Mario Chalmers, Brandon Rush and Darrell Arthur, but are inargualby the toughest opponent Siena’s schedule. This adds to an already packed schedule as they will host reigning undefeated Ivy leauge champion Cornell, the WAC’s Boise State and of course UAlbany. Siena will travel to St. Joseph’s, and represent the MAAC in Orlando at the 2008 Old Spice Classic. The Old Spice Classic has confirmed that Maryland, Georgetown, Oklahoma State, Michigan State, Tennessee, Gonzaga and Wichita State will all be attending. 2008-2009 could arguably be the toughest schedule for the Saints since the program went Division I in 1976.

This is the kind of stuff that Fran brings to the table. A long lasting relationship with other coaches that want to play the Saints. With the tournament in Syracuse, bringing in Stanford, and traveling to play #2 Memphis, we were all thrilled with the work Fran did last year. Now his coaching staff has managed to out do itself by putting together a really tough schedule. Preforming well in the tournament definitely up’d the Saints’ stock, but the sheer fact that teams accept these contests makes it seem like Siena is on it’s way up to being one of the most respected mid majors in the country.