Siena Saints Blog: So you’re the new Director of Basketball Operations for the Siena Saints– is it everything you thought it would be?

Tyler Simms/Siena Saints: It’s very exciting, very exciting. For a while in the summer, I was very eager for the season to start– but now that it’s here, it’s come pretty fast. This past summer at Siena was great, I had the opportunity to develop relationships with all the players, and that’s helped me get adjusted smoothly.

SSB: So with full practices underway, how has that affected your day-to-day? What keeps you in the office late into the night?

Simms: Well now that we’re in full swing, things are a lot more structured. Everyday we wake up and have breakfast as a team. After breakfast, we as a staff will meet and discuss the practice schedule, review charts, pretty much discuss anything that we need to go over as a staff.

As per NCAA mandates, we’re practicing 6 days a week, with Tuesdays as our off-day. Generally the players will lift for about 45 minutes 3 times a week. As far as staying late, I’m usually in the office in the late hours doing film breakdown. We film all of our practices and one of the things I’m tasked with is cutting the film, charting it– charting the players’ shots, tabling out the charts in various ways and other general scouting techniques.

SSB: What’s been the feeling around the locker room this preseason?

Simms: The feeling in the whole community is that this past season was a disappointment by Siena standards. You know, you have people here who were a big part of winning 2 MAAC titles, 2 trips to the NCAA tournament– last year was something of the past. The approach has been less about the past, and more about, okay this is what we have to do to get siena back to where it belongs.

Largely it’s been all four seniors leading that charge. They are quick to point out that 13-18 is something that Siena Basketball shouldn’t be a part of, and the team gets it– it should be that every year we’re in contention for a MAAC title. Conor Fenlon has been a big vocal leader as well.

SSB: You’re in the practices– tell us what’s going to be something that will shock Siena fans this season?

Simms: Well, Brandon Walters is in tremendous shape– he and Kyle Downey have both worked extremely hard in the offseason. I think, if I could take you inside the practices a bit, I would tell you that there is never a lack of effort or energy. Everyone has been working hard all the way through, and that’s a good sign.

SSB: How do you like working Coach B?

Simms: He’s great– very personable– he cares so much about everybody around him. I met him a few times before on the road at the Final Four through common friends, but now that I’m here it’s just amazing to see how much he cares about the Siena community. He was out instructing and helping kids in drills during this summer’s camps, it’s really great to see.

SSB: You’ve done quite a number of Summer Camps, tell us a little more about the work you did.

Simms: Teen camp and day camp at Siena this summer helped me develop close relationships with the players. Brandon Walters was an absolute camp junkie this summer, he helped out at Men’s and Women’s Hoops camp, he was all over the soccer fields with the kids– he was just a true contributor, all of the upper classmen were. They really helped me feel welcome in the Siena community.

In the past I had worked with Tony Bergeron, Chris Sparks, and Colin Tabb running 13-15 camps over the summers in New England. They are all heavily involved in the New England AAU scene as well. Runnign the camps were challenging, but fun. Tony, Chris, and Colin have done a lot to help me get to where I am today.

Follow Coach Tyler Simms on twitter at @CoachTSimms.

Read his full bio of Tyler Simms on SienaSaints.com.

Purdue dominated from the first minute of the game against St. Peter’s on Friday night. Congrats to those three seniors, Nick Leon, Ryan Bacon, and Wesley Jenkins for reaching the NCAA tournament. As Siena fans, we know what it’s like to come back from a 6 win season, and you should really be proud of what you accomplished.

Boy it really hurt all week not to have Siena in this tournament. I am serious. It’s like withdrawal, we really forget how lucky we were. What sucks even more is I still think it’s going to be a while if we ever even reach that level of success again. But we’ve got some good recruits coming in, so here’s to 2012!

On Monday evening Marc Brown’s (1987-1991) #4 will rise to the rafters of the Times Union Center joining two other Siena legends in Billy Harrell and Kenny Hasbrouck.  Marc Brown left a “marc” in our memories with his quick trigger and flashy passes, nicknamed “Showbiz”, Marc Brown’s most notable moment as a Siena Indian has to be his 32-point effort against Stanford where he hit the winning free throws in a 80-78 first round upset during his sophomore year.

He went on to be the first Siena Saint to be named MAAC Player of the Year in his senior campaign while averaging 23.3PPG and garnering honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press (AP).   Marc “Showbiz” Brown continues to stand alone atop Siena’s all time leading scorer list with 2,284 career points and second only to recently graduated Ronald Moore with 796 assists.

Here a few other notable statistics that “Showbiz” racked up during his memorable four year career at Siena:

• 18.6 PPG – #1 All-Time.
• 850 FG’’s made on 1766 attempts – #1 All-Time.
• 224 3-point FG’s made on 530 attempts – #4 All-Time.
• 42.3% 3-point FG% – #5 All-Time.
• 6.5 assists per game – #1 All-Time.
• 221 steals – #4 All-Time.
• 4,472 minutes – #1 All-Time.
• 89-34 Career record.
• 1 NCAA tournament appearance, 2 NIT appearances.

Needless to say Marc Brown was at the helm during the start of Siena’s rise to mid-major notoriety.  His former coach Mike Deane said, “I have not coached or recruited a finer player. He generated a following that put Siena in a place as probably the strongest Low-to-Mid-Major on the East Coast because of the atmosphere he created.  It was a pleasure to coach him.  He was one of those once-in-a-lifetime kind of guys.  His career was unprecedented and unparalleled there.”

It will be quite an honor tomorrow evening to be in attendance as your #4 is retired into Siena lore.  Congratulations Marc “Showbiz” Brown, you lit the torch that future great Siena guards have carried on including Doremus Bennerman, Kenny Hasbrouck, and most recently Ronald Moore.

Our Cut: The 2010 Siena Saints

2009: Siena – Oh. State

2009: One Shining Moment

2008: Siena – Vandy

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Now begins the waiting game, waiting for the NCAA to tell the Saints where they will travel and what seed they will be in this year’s field of 65.

While the Saints carry a thorough reputation into this year’s tournament, having won a game in each of the last two years, the committee does not use that in their equation to seed the Saints.

The experts who square off on projecting the brackets, known as bracketologists, have honed in the Saints on their seeding lines as Siena awaits where it will travel.

Chris Kulenych of Bracketology 101 said Siena currently stands on a #12 seed line.

“They are a 12 seed in our latest bracket, which would mean a first game against either Baylor, Vanderbilt, or Georgetown,” Kuenych said. “The Saints fared pretty well against Vanderbilt’s style of play back in 2008, so that might be their best bet as the seeds stand right now.”

Kulenych said the Saints cannot play Butler or any other team that might be near the seed line that they played already this year in the first round.

Meanwhile Rivals.com College Basketball Editor Mike Huguenin projects the Saints in the range of 11 to 13.

“If committee goes by resume, Siena will be a 13,” Huguenin said. “But if you look at what Siena has done lately, it could be an 11.”

CollegeRPI.com and CBSSports.com columnist Jerry Palm said the Saints should be a #13 seed and said he hinks the Saints will draw a tough first round matchup.

“I see Siena as a 13-seed, but the committee overseeded them last year,” Palm said. “It could happen again, but I’d expect them to get a borderline top 20 team.”

Eric Prisbell, writer and bracketologist at the Washington Post, said he expects the Saints to be a #12 or #13 seed and said he thinks Siena will have a tough time winning against their likely opponents.

“The pool of bubble teams is very weak this season, but the teams in the mix for 4 or 5 seeds are pretty strong,” Prisbell said. “Who wants to play Vandy? Maryland? Georgetown is tough. Baylor is tough. Tennessee can beat anyone and has. Wisconsin is solid. I like Siena as a team and a program but I am not sure I’ll pick Siena this season to win a game because I like a lot of the [potential #4 or #5] seeds as potential tourney sleepers.”

Shawn Siegel of Collegehoops.net said Siena will be able to challenge teams as a #12 seed.

“Siena’s most likely looking at a 12th seed right now,” Siegel said. “Which would perhaps square them up with the likes BYU, Tennessee or Texas. You have to figure Siena would be competitive against any of those teams.”

Sports Illustrated’s Andy Glockner said Siena will be a likely #12 or #13 seed.

“Siena probably will land in the #12 [or] #13 area,” Glockner said potential opponents like a slow style with good defense the Saints faced earlier in the year with Temple but figures the Saints will have a better chance against a team like Brigham Young.”

While the Saints might hope to play certain opponents, Rivals’ Huguenin said if he were in Siena’s shoes, he’d want to play just about anyone.

“If I’m [Fran] McCaffrey, as long as I can avoid a big-time center, I don’t care who I play,” Huguenin said.

The Saints were ranked as a #13 seed when they defeated Stanford in 1989. The Saints have been a #13 seed three times in their history, played in the play-in game and received their highest rank, a #9 seed, last year.

We all know you’re looking for the story, the cinderella, well the shoe fits. Davidson was the talk of 2008– with one storied sophomore. This team has three seniors– one the nation’s assist leader, one the conference player of the year, and at least one who is heading for an exciting NBA draft day. Three great kids who are going to graduate, and three great kids who know how to put on a show. If you want a story, give this team an 11 or 12 seed and give them the shot to make a deep run. In 2006, George Mason made that run. It’s been four years, Siena wears green and gold, give these seniors the chance to make that memorable run your friends at CBS would like to see.

Selection Committee, you can help.

How much will you work this week?

To be honest with you, not very much. We’ll lift and shoot. The guys have some nicks and bruises, so we’re going to try to get them healthy. That’s the beauty of winning on Monday and not having to play for almost two weeks…Rossiter tweaked his ankle two days before the Manhattan game and we didn’t say anything about it…O.D. wasn’t himself the final two games. He desperately wanted to play and I played him, but he just was not himself. He will be by tournament time.

What’s the highest seed you could make a case for Siena ending up in the brackets?

I have no idea. I never look at that…I just know we have a good team. I’ve been impresses with the committee’s sense of fairness over the years. I just know there was a time when we got in and just watched and praying we’re not the play-in game. Nobody wants to be in the play in game. It’s unfortunate. They shouldn’t have it. I’ve said a million times that if they have it they should put the two 8th place teams from whatever conference in it. Not teams that win their way in it. That’s my opinion. So I just know we’re not going to be in the play-in game.

Comments on Edwin Ubiles’ (360) dunk against Fairfield?

Timmy Welsh has no idea what he’s talking about, and I love Timmy Welsh. He kept saying how he was upset about it. I wanted him to do it. And by the way it didn’t matter what I wanted, he was doing it anyway….It’s was either going to be a windmill, a 360, or a reverse. One of those three….Either way it was going to be a high percentage shot…It was good for him, it was good for our press, it was good for the crowd. He’s always been able to do stuff like that to get everybody fired up. I think more than anything it really gets him energized. He was phenomenal.

Ronald Moore:

How much fun is this week for you guys with no real game to prepare for?

It’s a lot to be able to relax, re-energize, and really enjoy winning the championship…Practice will be light…The buzz on campus is at its best after winning a championship, so we’re really enjoying it. Especially the younger guys, like the freshmen and the sophomores who’ve done this a second time, they’re enjoying this too. We’re all excited for Sunday to see who we’re playing.

Any particular city you hope to be playing in for the tournament?

Definitely don’t want to go too far…Somewhere closer where the fans can get to and come out and support us because those fans definitely play a major part in our success. Especially at home when they get behind us and rally behind us.

Alex Franklin:

Is it worth the risk to do a difficult dunk like Ubiles did?

I think it’s definitely worth the risk. You don’t want to miss it. I think when you’re going up there you have the confidence that you’re going to put it down. It really does a lot for the crowd and it really gets us as a team energized too. (Would he do a 360?) Nah, I’d probably just dunk it really hard.

You had some solid free throw numbers in the tournament. Was that something you concentrated on leading up to the tournament?

Yeah, the last couple of games I was struggling from the free throw line. I wanted to get in the gym, get some more shots up because I know the way I play I’m going to get fouled a lot…They (the coaches) say something to you, but it’s more of yourself involved just trying to get out there and trying to get the free throws in because I know I’m going to get to the line most of the time.

This Siena class is undoubtedly one of the best to ever touch the Loudonville campus. These seniors will be playing in their fourth straight MAAC championship game on Monday night, having won two of three entering Monday night’s game.

The Saints are 15-0 when four Saints score in double-figures this year and have been led by the starters.

MAAC Player of the Year Alex Franklin has carried the Saints in this MAAC Tournament. Franklin scored Siena’s first points of the tournament and has been strong ever since, scoring 41 points and grabbing 19 rebounds in the two MAAC Tournament games thus far. Franklin broke out late his freshman year with a 27-point performance in the 2007 MAAC Championship game, where Siena fell to Niagara in Bridgeport, CT.

First Team All-MAAC junior Ryan Rossiter has risen to the stage of the MAAC Tournament, scoring 10 points in both games and grabbing 30 rebounds. Rossiter matched his career-high with 18 rebounds in Sunday’s 72-62 win over Rider in the semifinal game.

First Team All-MAAC senior Ronald Moore has been a steady force for the Saints and scored double-digit points for the first time since January 28th in the Saints’ semifinal win. Moore totaled 15 points in Siena’s win over Rider. Moore needs two assists to overtake Marist’s Jared Jordan for the MAAC record (813) and for 25th in Division I history. Moore has scored 7.6 ppg in his three MAAC Championship games.

While Edwin Ubiles was disappointed with his second-team All-MAAC standing, the senior has come through well in championship games. Ubiles has shot 48.5% from the field all-time in MAAC Championship games.

Third team All-MAAC junior Clarence Jackson carried the Saints on Sunday, overcoming a 2-15 day against Manhattan by scoring 15 of his 17 points in the second half in the Saints win over Rider Sunday.

The Stags bring in MAAC Rookie of the Year Derek Needham who has been proven to be unstoppable in his first year. Needham has been a playmaker off the dribble all year, scoring 29 points in their Quarterfinal game win over Canisius and 17 points in their win over Niagara.

They also bring in the MAAC Defensive Player of the Year in Anthony Johnson and the 6th Man of the Year in Mike Evanovich. Johnson recorded a crucial steal on an entry pass and blocked an Anthony Nelson drive to the basket in the span of a minute. Johnson scored 21 points in their win over Niagara in the semifinal game. He has been dominant on the glass this year but recorded just two blocks in Siena’s meetings with the Stags. Evanovich was held to just 11 points in his two meetings with the Saints this year.

Siena will also be defending the nation’s second longest win streak at home at 37 games. Siena is 5-1 all-time in the MAAC Tournament against Fairfield. The Saints are 4-3 in MAAC Championship games and, with a win, will be first for All Time Tournament wins, over Iona’s 4.

New York City: Copper Door

Students: You’re on your own

Readers– where will you be watching?

Both teams have been at the top of their conference in the past year, Butler (10-0) being the best of the Horizon, and VCU (6-4) battling a-top the CAA. Based on their RPI rankings, it looks like Siena is going to draw Butler.

Siena has taken care of their BracketBuster opponent for three out of Fran McCaffery’s four years. It seems like this year is the year Siena will truly be rewarded. The story is perfect, both Butler and Siena have been in the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons, and both have been the class of their respective conferences. Siena and Butler have been two of the most dangerous mid major teams (just ask Thad Matta). I think this match-up is a lock for prime-time of BracketBuster Weekend.