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.

The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference will be moving it’s Basketball Championships to the MassMutual Center in Springfield for three straight years, starting in 2012.

The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, choosing a neutral site, will move their Conference Basketball Championships to the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA for three straight years.

The Times Union Center has hosted the tournament for the last two years and will this year. The Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton was scheduled to host the tournament in 2009 but requested the MAAC make alternate plans in July 2008 to move the Championships to Albany.

The last time the MAAC Tournament was hosted for 3 or more years before this was when the MAAC made a home in upstate New York: when they let Albany host seven straight MAAC Tournaments from 1990 to 1996.

The Conference’s 10 Presidents voted on a new facility, choosing the MassMutual Center over Bridgeport’s Arena at Harbor Yards and the Times Union Center. Newark’s Prudential Center withdrew their bid just under a week ago.

The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference scheduled a press conference tomorrow morning to make the announcement in Springfield.

Springfield, the home to the National Basketball Hall of Fame, has distinguished itself as an ideal candidate to host the tournament and has an intimate setting of just over 6,000 seats. The MassMutual Center currently hosts the AHL’s Springfield Falcons and the NBA Development League’s Springfield Armor.

The MassMutual Center hosts various UMass Basketball games and is set to host the NCAA Division II Championships, the Elite Eight, in the next two years.

This will be the first time where the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference will give such a neutral feel since having the tournament held in the Meadowlands in the late 1980s.

Last year the MAAC set a record drawing 52,820 to the Times Union Center culminating in Siena’s second straight MAAC Championship.

This year’s MAAC Basketball Championships marks the 15th time the tournament will be hosted in Albany.

Sneak previews of mid-major conference play continues tonight in the Metro Atlantic when Iona hosts Siena. Yes folks, the same Iona Gaels that just three seasons ago finished with a record of 2-28…and the same Siena Saints that finished last season 27-8 and made the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 32 for a second consecutive season. How could this possibly be worth dubbing as the Game! Of! The! Night!, you ask? Keep reading, and then you’ll know.

Siena has been wearing the MAAC’s proverbial target on their back for a couple years now. That’s what NCAA Tournament success will, and should, do…ya know? But for a team being discussed prior to the season as one of the best mid-majors in all of Hoops Nation, the Saints have been slightly underwhelming to this point. Allowing Temple to score 73 points, when they only average about 61 per game, is a bit of a concern. Losing to St. John’s couldn’t have gone over very well with the fans upstate, and surely the faithful were hoping for a better effort against Georgia Tech. So what’s the best way to remedy these concerns about team defense, turnovers, and poor 3-point shooting? With MAAC games, of course…where the Saints are 29-7 over the past two seasons.

Kyle Whelliston continues to break down Iona, read on »

SSB: First off, what a game (against Georgetown) on Tuesday, you can bet we were all rooting for the Owls. Has your fan base being voicing that they wanted those two fast break points down the stretch?

Owlified: The poor shooting performance to start the game was absolutely killer. Going 1-10 against the #20 team in the country will do you no good. Also, Temple’s 3 point shooting percentage at the end of the game was absolutely atrocious to be honest. Imagine hitting just about a third of the missed shots, and that’s 20 points on the board early in the game.

Fans were more upset with what happened prior to that possession. Temple had opportunities, up by 3 points to hit crucial free throws, but couldn’t. That being said, Georgetown had every chance to keep this game in a position for them to win, and they took advantage of that.

SSB: What has gotten Temple to the NCAA tournament the past two seasons? With the departure of Sean Miller to Arizona, does that leave the A10 more wide open than it’s ever been this year?

Owl: Temple has gotten into the post season with late surges in our own Atlantic 10 tournament. It’s not easy getting an at-large bid, so as you know the safest way is to win your conference tournament. For the last two years, the Owls have run the table in the Atlantic 10 tournament to earn their invitation to the Dance. A three-peat? Eh, that won’t be so easy.

I think the loss of Sean Miller at Xavier will slightly open up opportunities for other teams in the conference. I do believe though even with several players lost on that roster, there’s still plenty of leftover and potential talent on that X roster. Dayton has run a successful program year in and year out (not to mention they just beat Georgia Tech last night), and will definitely be considered to take the conference.

SSB: From what I watched against Georgetown, Temple looked like an athletic team. How do you tend to matchup against teams that like to run and gun, score in transition, and pick your pocket–ie. teams like Siena?

Owl: Georgetown put Temple in an awful shooting slump, and I believe the reason for this is because they were able to slow us down and force us to run the offense. When you hold on to the ball too long, it becomes tougher to feed your guys in the paint, and more pressure can be exerted on your perimeter players. Also, your players sometimes tend to rush shots, regardless of time on the clock.

Defensively, you just have to play smart basketball. Temple’s defense seemed to show up for 40 minutes against Georgetown. Play smart, and execute– that’s all there is to it against any offensive unit.

SSB: Thanks for stopping by Owlified, looking forward to Saturday night and good luck with that football team of yours!