I’ve been quoted as saying the only way this team gets an At Large Bid is by going undefeated [25-5], and losing by a buzzer beater in the MAAC title game [27-6]. I’m starting to think they might have a slightly better shot– but I still believe they would have to get to the title game.

Siena would need all of their ‘Top 100 RPI Wins’ to win their conferences. Buffalo would need to win the MAC, Boise State– the WAC, Cornell– the Ivy, and it would help if St. Joe’s got an At-Large. Perhaps the best bullet point on Siena’s resume is the fact that they have the 2nd toughest non-conference strength of schedule. As if it weren’t already– The Northern Iowa game is a must win.

Just two years ago, 12 conferences received multiple bids to the tournament. Interestingly enough, the MAAC is the 12th ranked conference by RPI right now [, but this will likely lower by tournament time]. Come March, the depth in the Big East and ACC would make it tough for the Selection Committee to give the MAAC two bids.

It’s important to note this post is purely hypothetical. I do not believe Siena is a lock to win out through the season, especially with Northern Iowa and Niagara back to back. It’s imperative they continue to play with a “game by game” mentality. It’d be much easier just to win the MAAC Tournament and really never test these theories.

The Saints’ five-game win streak was snapped at Kansas last night, but there’s little shame in losing to the national champs by seven… especially in the face of warm, yummy Cracker Barrel-style home cooking from local refs (nine fewer fouls on the Jayhawks). The key is that Siena has recovered from its November televised disasters and is shooting the ball well and finding ways to get rebounds. An home ESPNU date with Rider gets the MAAC action going again on Friday.

It turns out, it’s a perennial stretch.

The Saints average just 5.6 points between the 16:00 and 12:00 minute marks in the second half. Of the 636 points the Saints have scored this season, they’ve scored only 51 points during this stretch. Pan those numbers throughout the entire game and the Saints would average just 56 points per game. The most the Saints have scored during this stretch [was against Wichita State when they] scored 9 points– putting the team above their 71 PPG team average.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m well aware every team has its scoring droughts… but to have the same drought every game– it seems like there would be a solution.

* – Play by Play data was not available for the Boise State game.

From the AP—

Edwin Ubiles scored 21 points to lead Siena past Buffalo 71-60 in non-conference action Tuesday night.

Alex Franklin added 15 points and nine rebounds for Siena, who never trailed. Ronald Moore scored 12 points and had eight assists for the Saints (6-4, 2-0 MAAC).

Buffalo, which shot just 26 percent from 3-point range, cut the lead to single digits with eight minutes left. But Siena’s Josh Duell made a diving steal when the Bulls had possession and found a streaking Ubiles, who finished on the other end with a two-handed dunk.

The play was part of a quick 6-0 run that put the Saints ahead by 15 and sealed the victory.

Rodney Pierce had 15 points for the Bulls (5-4, 0-0 MAC), who also got a season-high 13 from Vadim Fedotov.

After Buffalo whittled the lead to one at 23-22 with 4:30 remaining in the first half, Siena went on a 10-0 run and took a 33-22 lead into the break.

13/21 from the stripe, ugh.

Give credit to Ronald Moore for coming out of the gate hard tonight. Alex Franklin is so good (when he’s not in foul trouble).