Kyle Griffin will graduate this semester and forego his extra year of eligibility.

We wish Jon and Kyle the best of luck in their future endeavors,” Buonaguro said. “I hope they each find a situation that they’re comfortable with, and one that allows them to reach their goals on and of the court

- Mitch Buonaguro

Oh yeah, and Congrats to UConn.

The coaching move of the evening was Mitch having Clarence Jackson come off the bench as the proverbial sixth man.  It paid off in a huge way as Jackson was hot from the outside hitting 5-7 from three and leading the Saints with a game high 19 points.  

I actually discussed the likelihood of this move with a fellow fan prior to tip, and we thought it would be a great move as CJ has always relished that role, but both shrugged it off like it would never happen.   After the final whistle we were both thinking what a great move in a game that clearly needed some kind of spark.

We can only hope that leaving Clarence Jackson as the sixth man and first off the bench is the anecdote for success for this group of Saints.   It has been clear that something has to start clicking in this roller coaster of a season.   The team has a great chance to re-establish themselves in the MAAC with a revenge win against Canisius on Monday.

Room for Improvement:
Consistency. This team continues to ride different waves of highs and lows.   One night they are able to shoot 94% from the charity stripe and the next they are shooting 54.5%.   One night they are turning the ball over 14 times and 7 the next.  One night they are on fire from beyond the arc and the next night they are shooting bricks.

Keys to Success:
Defense. The proverbial experts always say that defense breeds champions and if that is the case then this team has hope.  They have really come into their own with the 2-3 zone. In their 6 wins they are holding opponents to just 63 points per game.
Guard play. The combination of Brookins and Breeden has been a fun development to watch.  They both continue to provide positive highlights and continue to limit their amount of mistakes each and every game.   In tight games having the luxury for both to be on the floor is something that will reduce the blood pressure of Coach Buonaguro.

Five Facts:
1.  O.D. Anosike made more free throws and at a higher percentage than Ryan Rossiter.
2.  Siena made half as many 3’s as they did free throws (6 and 12).
3.  Saints are now off the snide against teams with an RPI over 200 (1-3).
4. Siena has limited opponents to 63 points per game in their 6 wins and have allowed 74 points in their 10 losses.
5.  Clarence Jackson tied a season high with 5 baskets beyond the arc.

Five Questions:
1.  Will Davis Martens and/or Kyle Griffin be available for Monday?
2.  Will Clarence Jackson remain as the sixth man this year?
3.  When was the last time Ryan Rossiter shot 20% from the free throw line in a game?
4.  How many MAAC wins will Siena have this year?
5.  Will Siena get back to .500 at home on Monday (currently 3-4 @ home, 3 game win streak)?

Five Words:
Welcome back to Clarence Jackson.

When to call or not to call a timeout, that is the question? In my opinion timeouts are an instinctual coaching decision. Coach B had the ball in the hands of one of his dynamic seniors, Clarence Jackson, with 10 seconds to play, calling a timeout would have allowed UAlbany to set up the right matchup on both Jackson and Rossiter off the timeout. It would have allowed Albany to pressure the inbounds, which Siena struggled with throughout the night– weighing in those factors, I think not calling a timeout was the “right call”.

That said, you do want to get the ball out of CJ’s hands into Rahk’s hands, so Clarence can come off a screen for a decent look, or run a pick and roll at the top of the key with Rossiter. Nonetheless there was a scramble for the ball and Rossiter had a clear look at a long range three that caromed off the back rim, sending the game to an extra session. The inexperience of this team was present yet again, as they were unable to execute in the final minutes of a hotly contested game (18 lead changes), eventually falling in overtime for the second game in a row.

Room for Improvement:
As I stated in my season preview that this team will go as Clarence Jackson goes, and the truth be told, CJ is 26-77 (33.7%) in the teams five losses, and is 14-22 (63%) in the two wins. You are not going to win too many games when you have more turnovers (19) than made free throws (17), a focal point going into a key week of practice leading up to a showdown Friday night with pre-season favorite Fairfield. Lastly, this team has shown that it’s inexperience is costly with the results in the last two OT losses, they just look out of sync when the game is on the line.

Keys to Success:
The continued dominance of Ryan Rossiter, he is an absolute beast at the mid-major level, his energy level is not matched by anyone on the court, he doesn’t know the word quit, I wish some of the other Saints would feed off his tenacity. The growth of the three or small forward with Owen Wignot and the breakout performance of Trenity Burdine is a sure plus. This position was a weak point in the first few games, but looks like it is developing into a positive as the year progresses with Wignot and now Burdine.

Five Facts:
1. Siena is 0-3 at home is their worst start since going Division I in 1976-1977.
2. Trenity Burdine had a breakout performance with a career high 16 points.
3. Rahk Brookins had a career high nine (9) assists against just 2 turnovers.
4. Saints were a perfect 13-13 from the charity stripe in the 2nd half and overtime.
5. Saints are 0-2 against the America East this season, they entered the season with a 109-47 record against teams from the America East.

Five Questions:
1. Who is going to step up to fill the role behind Clarence Jackson?
2. When will Siena win a home game?
3. Who if anyone can stop Ryan Rossiter?
4. Is Owen Wignot going to be back for the Fairfield game?
5. What happened to Kyle Griffin (did not dress for the game)?

Five Words:
Burdine bursts onto the scene.

Down five on the road, in the hostile “Zoo”, staring 1-4 in the face, what do you say to your team as a coach heading into the locker room? How is this team going to respond in the face of adversity? Quite resoundingly, with a 20-1 run in the 2nd half. That put the game out of reach, and proved yet again they are still the top dogs of the MAAC. The Saints held Rider, a team averaging above 50% FG, to just 26.7% in the 2nd half– just 24pts. That 2nd half is the way a winning team responds, showing us all a glimpse of what’s to come from this team in the months ahead.

Room for Improvement:
OD Anosike and his foul trouble is a concern, evident against Rider, playing a season low 8 minutes. The need for a sixth man night in and night out is still a question mark, albeit last night was a step in the right direction as the Saints outscored Rider’s bench 21-11.

Keys to Success:
The bench stepped up for the starters and contributing on the offensive end, outscoring Rider by 10. The team played the zone to near perfection as Rider coach Tommy Dempsey said, “I think their zone bothered us”, and were able to shut down a very hot shooting team in the 2nd half. The ability to go on a big run, and prevent your opponent from responding, is a sured winning characteristic.

Five Facts:
1. Saints had five bench players on the floor @ 14:36 of the 1st half, the 1st time this season.
2. The bench outscored their opponent (21-11) for the first time all season.
3. The Saints held the Broncs to 38.3% from the field, a season best.
4. Saints had a season low 12 turnovers.
5. Siena made more FT’s (19) than Rider attempted (14), 2nd time this season, both wins.

Five Questions:
1. Where was OD Anosike last night?
2. How many MAAC games will Siena win this year?
3. Who will be the sixth man of the year on this team (Kyle Griffin or Davis Martens)?
4. When was the last time the Saints bench outscored their opponent prior to last night?
5. Is Ryan Rossiter one of the top 10 big men in the country?

Five Words:
The Standard of the MAAC.

A telling sign of where the two programs are right now– Butler is clearly the elite of the mid-major crop, the standard that everyone else strives to be. Siena is a program in the making– they’ve jumped in the water, and they’re making their way to the deep end. Last night’s game jarred my memory of the 2008-2009 Saints who started off 2-3, competitive in the early losses, and continued to develop with each game, eventually going on to win a school record 27 games and an OT thriller victory against Ohio State. I am not saying this team is on the verge of setting a school record for wins, but they are clearly improving, and very easily could put up a fifth straight 20-plus win season.

I have found myself to be very critical at times, and always wanting more from this program. Most likely stemming from my desire for perfection, but as time passes and I grow older and wiser, I am starting to realize perfection exists in “Fairytales” and the likes of movies such as “Hoosiers”. In reality this team is really good, with a lot of talent, basketball IQ, and cohesiveness, making them a threat every night they step on the court. Sometimes we need to take a step back and appreciate the moments this program has provided us and be thankful, fitting of sorts this revelation occurred to me on the eve of Thanksgiving. I would like to take a moment and thank the Siena Organization for continuing to provide a superior brand of basketball while climbing the ladder of mid-major supremacy.

Room for Improvement:
After a sentimental moment it’s truly fitting I sit down to write factors that were critical to the Saints defeat Tuesday night. To start, Butler is not Northeastern, and in my opinion is among the most disciplined coached team in College Basketball, hats off to Brad Stevens, one classy coach. That said, you are not going to win too many games when your stat line reads, 46.7% FT’s, 2-11 from 3, and a negative Assist/TO ratio (-3). Honestly, I sit here giving a lot of credit to Butler’s defensive game plan, they came in planning on shutting down Clarence Jackson (3-7 FG’s) and that they did, even after losing their best defender (Ronald Nored) in the game’s opening minutes. I have been harping on this all year, but this team is still yearning for some more bench scoring (-33 last night), the quality minutes have been there, but the offensive spark that you look for out of your sixth man is just not there yet.

Keys to Success:
Not much to say here besides the obvious that Ryan Rossiter has established himself as one of the most formidable big men in the country. Against arguably one of the more respected big men in the nation in Matt Howard, he went off for 26 points and 15 rebounds. He has done it again and surprised me through the first four games with his continued improvement, does he have a ceiling? Also, Owen Wignot has established himself as the Saints hardest working defender, and it’s quite obvious Coach B recognizes this as well. He put Wignot back in the game with 9:42 left in the first half with 2 fouls. When Wignot left with those fouls, the Saints had their biggest lead of the game at 13-5, when he returned at 9:42, they were up 15-14, a 9-2 Butler run, enough said.

Five Facts:
1. Ryan Rossiter had his third 20-plus double double in four games.
2. Clarence Jackson was held to 7 shots, a season low.
3. Siena is 1-3 for the first time since 2004-2005.
4. Clarence Jackson had 5 TO’s, and 0 steals.
5. Siena outscored Butler 30-22 in the paint.

Five Questions:
1. Why does it feel like no one calls fouls on Butler?
2. “Raak” Brookins, a mid-major Jameer Nelson?
3. Did you know that Kyle Griffin leads the MAAC in assist to turnover margin?
4. What is going on with Brandon Walters? Did he even take his warm-ups off last night?
5. Where is Clarence Jackson at the Times Union Center? (7-23 FG’s @ Home, 20-31 FG’s on Road)

Five Words:
The Butler Way prevails again.

The difference in the game was the Saints’ ability to capitalize on turnovers– despite turning the ball over 20 times, 3 times in the final 90 seconds, to Northeastern’s 11, they got the W.

Ryan Rossiter had a monster day, finishing with 28 points and 15 rebounds for his 34th career double-double. Rossiter, who also had 3 blocks on the day, is now 25 of 29 from the free throw stripe this season. Clarence Jackson closed the day with 24 points and is now averaging 22.3 PPG. Rakeem Brookins added 5 assists, (a +1 turnover margin), and did a great job getting looks for his teammates all day. OD Anosike tied his career high with 11 points, and after getting into foul trouble in the second half, was brought in late for his defense. The Saints got a career high 7 points from sophomore bench player Davis Martens.

Chaisson Allen was impressive for the Huskies– dishing out 5 assists, scoring 18 points, and finishing 5-9 behind the arc. Alwayne Bigby was quiet, with a final line of 6 points and 6 rebounds.

The Saints head home to face the Butler Bulldogs on Tuesday night, there are less than 1,200 tickets still available.

Things couldn’t be different for each team this year.  Siena is 0-2 and working through freshman mistakes while searching for a new identity, while Northeastern is 2-0 after close wins over Boston University and the Southern Illinois Salukis.  Northeastern is pushing the ball more this year, which is a stark contrast to the half court, defensive minded squad that came to town last year.

The Huskies are led by 6’4″ senior point guard Chaisson Allen, who is averaging 16 points and 8 rebounds per game so far this year.  Sophomore guard Joel Smith, also 6’4″, is averaging 14.5 points per game. 6’4″ Alex Harris and 6’7″ Kauri Black are both averaging 10 points a game.

The Saints, coming off a career high 29 points from Clarence Jackson Monday night against Minnesota, is still trying to solve a problem with turnovers, while figuring out how to mesh junior point guard Kyle Griffin and freshman Rahkeem Brookins.  Brookins has been sensational during late rallies against both Vermont and Minnesota, but is still having difficulty valuing the basketball.  Griffin, meanwhile, runs the team efficiently if not safely while on the floor, but has more difficulty making plays and handling the ball as well.

It’s only a matter of time until Brookins takes over the starting point guard position, but the team will still need productive, clean play from both players, as they will get almost all the minutes at the point.   Ryan Rossiter should be able to assert himself a little more in this game than he could against the size and athleticism of Minnesota.  If the Saints are going to continue to grow, the point guards are going to need to find a way to create space to get the ball in to Rossiter, and both seniors are going to need to combine consistent scoring every game while the role players continue to develop.

Nothing will be easy on Saturday, as head coach Bill Coen has the Huskies on the upswing.  The team finished with 18 wins last year, but is picked to finish seventh this year in the always competitive CAA (Colonial Athletic Association).  Northeastern is looking like a team that plans on moving forward this year though, and a win over Siena on Saturday will further that goal.

Much like the Vermont game was going be a difficult test for the Saints to open the season at home, this game is far from a gimmie on the road.  The Saints are going to have to play as well as they did against Minnesota, minus the turnovers, to get this valuable road victory.  With Butler looming next Tuesday at home, the Saints need a win – and to make a statement, if only to themselves, that they are ready to take a step forward in a season that is going to require many.

What was is the Saints did not have the big “3” to will them to victory in an off night (36% from the field, 21% from 3-PT range), and what’s next for the Saints is a team searching for its identity. This game proved that with a new coaching staff, promising young freshman (Rakeem “The Rock” Brookins – 17 minutes, Trenity Burdine – 18 minutes) and sophomores (O.D. Anosike, Jonathan Breeden), there are going to be growing pains. The Saints looked out of sync at times at both ends of the floor, showing glimmers of athleticism, quickness, “forcing it” (20 turnovers, 13steals), and gut with that late second half comeback run that fell one possession short.

Room for Improvement:
The Saints were out rebounded 44-30 and Vermont’s bench outscored the Saints 45-16. These two areas are a lethal combination for a loss, and will sure be in the thoughts of the coaching staff on the long flight today to Minnesota. This is the biggest front court Siena has put together in years, and to get out rebounded by a smaller team by that kind of margin is unexplainable. In my opinion, it comes from guys being out of position on the defensive end and missing assignments around the rim. Up next is Minnesota, an upper echelon Big 10 team that prides itself on bodying up and hitting the glass. With the result of last nights performance, Minnesota will provide a mighty challenge for Rossiter, Anosike, Martens, Priestly, and Walters tomorrow evening. Where was Siena’s deep bench last evening? To get outscored by that large of a margin, when it is clear the bench is going to be asked to contribute this year, is nerve racking. Okay I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt and chalk it up to first game jitters, but its clearly another concern heading into Monday’s game against Minnesota.

Keys to Success:
The Saints showed some guts and resiliency last evening clawing back into the game with the opportunity to force overtime in the final minutes if one bounce went their way. The Saints pressure defense was stifling, the team looked very comfortable forcing pressure, jumping passing lanes, leading to steals (13), and transition opportunities. Also the athleticism and potential of freshman point guard Rakeem “The Rock” Brookins was very promising. In the final ten minutes of the game, he looked very comfortable running the offense, was able to draw defensive attention with his dribble penetration, leading to easy baskets for Siena’s frontcourt, especially Ryan Rossiter (27points, 10rebounds). In his first college game, the glimpses of what are to come were very exciting, he was by far the quickest player on the court, and with some experience, he will provide us with some highlight reel moments. He has MAAC Rookie of the Year potential, yes he is that good.

Five Facts:
1. Ryan Rossiter had 27 points (career high), and his 31st regular season double-double.
2. Clarence Jackson had a career high 5 steals.
3. Siena’s last home opener loss was Nov. 29 2006 vs Hofstra.
4. Rossiter was a perfect 11-11 from the charity stripe.
5. Saints point guards (Griffin and Brookins) combined for seven (7) assists.

Five Questions:
1. How will this team respond to an early loss?
2. Who will start at PG in the next game Brookins or Griffin?
3. What happened to the new hi-tech scoreboard midway through the first half (that’s what exhibitions are for, right?)
4. How does the biggest front court in Siena history get outrebounded 44-30?
5. When does Kyle Downey return? He was sorely missed.

Five Words:
Patience is a good thing

The last time the Saints played a meaningful game on the floor of the Times Union Center, fans were rushing on the court as the Saints clinched their third straight NCAA Tournament appearance with an overtime win over Fairfield.

The Saints will be remade under new coach Mitch Buonaguro and will feature new lineups and rotations to replace Edwin Ubiles, Ronald Moore and MAAC Player of the Year Alex Franklin.

Among Buonaguro’s assets include Preseason MAAC Player of the Year Ryan Rossiter and senior Clarence Jackson. However, the Saints will be without Kyle Downey who hurt himself in practice last week. Downey, who started in the NCAA Tournament game against Purdue last year and scored 6 points on 2 of 10 shooting, was expected to see more playing time after leading the Western New York team to the gold medal of the Empire State Games this past summer.

Siena will have plenty of time to develop younger players this season including sophomore O.D. Anosike who scored 10 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in Siena’s exhibition win over Adelphi on October 30th. The Saints will allow LaSalle transfer junior Kyle Griffin to run the point who has had a positive assist to turnover ratio in limited playing time at both schools thus far.

Meanwhile the Catamounts, under sixth year head coach Mike Lonergan, lose their top players Marqus Blakely, Maurice Joseph, Nick Vier and Garvey Young in a group that made the NCAA Tournament last year. That depleted experience led to Vermont being picked fifth in their preseason poll. The Catamounts return preseason all-conference senior Evan Fjeld who helped carry the offense late in the season to lead them to their fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in school history. Fjeld is the only returning starter will be assisted by UMass transfer Matt Glass who scored 20 points in Vermont’s 69-60 win over Division II school St. Michael’s.

Not only has the roster received an adjustment, so has Siena’s home court. Fans will see new video boards and a brand new game presentation – which not only includes new video presentation but includes luxury courtside seats and different Siena student fan placement. Siena has extended its presence at the Times Union Center by two years and will play there until the 2015-16 season according to the Albany Business Review.

Fun Facts: The last time the Saints and Catamounts squared off was January 2, 2006 in Fran McCaffery’s first season. The Saints beat the Catamounts on the road 76-65 behind an 18 point performance by freshman Kenny Hasbrouck. Future Saint Josh Duell, who played for Vermont at the time before transferring to Siena, scored 11 points.

Siena is 18-5 all time against Vermont dating back to their first meeting during the 1946-47 season. The last time Siena lost its home opener was November 29, 2006 to Hofstra 84-80.