• Siena Saints Blog catches up with David Woods of the Indianapolis Star to talk about the Butler Bulldogs in advance of their matchup on February 20th. Go buy his book! The Butler Way: The Best of Butler Basketball which came out at the end of last year and is available on amazon.com.
• We got into some more reading on Tuesday. RushTheCourt, The Indianapolis Star and the Times Union all reacted to the Siena-Butler matchup and Yahoo!’s The Dagger talked to Ryan Rossiter.
• The night of the announcement we scooped up all the important links from Andy Katz, Joe Lunardi and a great New York Times story on Siena’s Senior class.
• Just past 6:30, we found out Siena’s BracketBusters opponent, and will be traveling to Butler to play in the first game Saturday at 11am on ESPN2HD and ESPN360.com.
• Our pre previews covered the array of options while sorting out Siena’s most likely opponents, to Matt’s opinion piece calling for Butler, to a potential Utah State matchup.

Former Siena Men’s Basketball player and now Student Assistant Cory Magee comes back from Christmas break looking forward to Siena’s Winter Break schedule.

• Griffin bound to see plenty of action during Saints’ busy week (Daily Gazette)

Kyle Griffin has rehabbed and worked hard since transferring from LaSalle and looks forward to more playing time as he looks to become a continuing part of the Saints rotation.

• St. Joe’s brings out the best in Jackson (Troy Record)

Clarence Jackson had his first double digit game as a freshman against the Hawks. Jackson had his first 20+ shot game in his sophomore year, scoring a career high 28 in last year’s 75-74 road victory. Jackson has had games scoring over 20 points this year.

• Home is where Siena’s wins are (Times Union)

Siena’s Home Win Streak is at 25 games and among the best in the nation. Kansas (49) and Pitt (29) are the only two teams ahead of the Saints. Their last loss? A February 16, 2008 Overtime loss to Loyola (MD).

• Franklin named MAAC co-Player of the Week (Siena Saints Blog)

Our story: Alex Franklin shared the MAAC Co-Player of the Week award with Loyola (MD) guard Brett Harvey.

• Siena readies for busy post-holiday stretch (Times Union)

Siena starts a four game in seven day stretch, Coach Fran McCaffery sat down with the media to talk before this busy week.

• Disappointment? Not For Siena’s 7-4 Start (Keepin’ Track of the MAAC)

The MAAC’s humble blogger takes issue with ESPN’s Andy Katz calling Siena’s start a “disappointment.” To Katz’s point, he labels Siena disappointing because they were unable to rack up any marquee wins in the non-conference schedule when it appeared the Saints had a chance to.

Rider opened up their home schedule with an 11-0 run to start and would not surrender the lead in a 15 point win over Lehigh. Rider shot 48.4% for the game which included an absurd 16 of 29 from three point range (55.2%). Novar Gadson led the Broncs with 20 points, Ryan Thompson (7/13, 5/9 from three point range) added 19. Andy Katz posted on Monday that Rider hopes the Mississippi State win comes in handy for March:

The Broncs aren’t done, either. If they don’t slip where they’re not supposed to (like, say, against Lehigh on Monday night) and possibly steal a road game Thursday at Virginia, even if they lose Saturday at Kentucky, they already will have done a lot to keep them in the at-large discussion come March. All this might sound a bit premature in November, but it’s not that far fetched, especially if the MAAC continues to be as strong as it is showing so far.

Rider has got votes into the AP poll for the first time in school history. This is Rider’s second 2-0 start since 1974-75.

Tuesday

St. Peter’s opened the morning for ESPN’s marathon at 6am and put a hurting on Monmouth. St. Peter’s had a lead as large as 26 in their 58-34 win. Wesley Jenkins led the Peacocks with 10 points and  8 rebounds. This was a great win for the Peacocks after losing a heart breaker at Seton Hall. They are my sleeper team this year and could be a tough team in the conference schedule. I don’t care what you say about it, the 24 hours of basketball was a well executed idea that led to a lot of excitement on campuses you might not normally see.

Niagara did not make things easy in a 76-69 victory over Drexel. Niagara held a lead as large as 15 but Drexel used a six minute run to cut that to two possessions. In a game that was tight, without Tyrone Lewis, the Purple Eagles were able to survive. Reports were good that Lewis would be back for the Drexel game on Saturday. Rob Garrison led the Purple Eagles with 20 points, 10 of which came from the free throw line. Niagara did not shoot well (40.5% effective FG%) but was helped by going 25 for 31 (80.6%) from the free throw line.

However, the main story is that Lewis was ruled out of the game and watched with street clothes in a protective boot. Things did not appear to be any clearer after the game as the Niagara Gazette reported:

“I don’t know exactly what the injury is,” [Joe] Mihalich said. “It’s a long word.”

When asked about when he’d return from reporters, Lewis said he’d be ready for the next game.

Iona went down to Hampton and won 68-63 propelled by a great first half. Iona shot 48.3 eFG% in the first half with 22 points coming from off the bench. Iona took a lead as large as 14 with 14:38 to play and were barely holding on as Hampton used a 13-1 run to cut the lead to 1 with 5:33 to go.  Junior center Alejo Rodriguez is making his run as being the Gaels go to guy, scoring 17 points in 23 minutes, going 7 for 8 from the field and adding three free throws. Add that  with a good win over Boston University and the new-look Gaels are looking pretty good.

Loyola of Chicago took a lead close to the middle of the first half and never gave it up in a 20 point win over Canisius. Elton Frazier was the only starter for the Golden Griffins to not have 4 or more turnovers. Canisius’ 22 turnovers will be a problem but being down forced them to jack up three’s which they only shot 6 of 21 from behind the arc (28.6%). Julius Coles led the Griffs with 18 points, Frank Turner scored 17 and Greg Logins scored 11 in the loss. The defense was another problem as Loyola shot a 64.5% effective FG% including an 11 of 18 mark from three point land. Canisius has not won a season opener since 2003.

The good news is Fairfield had a 12-7 lead with 12:10 to go in the first half. The bad news? Maryland would open the game up after that and take a lead as large as 29 in their 71-42 win over the Stags. Freshman Derek Needham was the Stags only double digit scorer with 15. Needham led the Stags on Sunday in a win over Fordham with 19 points.  Fairfield was only down 8 at halftime but Maryland turned up the heat to give the Stags their first loss:

“Inexperience showed all over the place,” Fairfield coach Ed Cooley said. “I thought we had good spurts but didn’t have the experience to sustain it.”

There are some rumors that Greg Nero might not return this season due to his sinus surgery. Nero, Yorel Hawkins and Warren Edney have not appeared yet for the Stags. This will give the younger players a chance to play early and see if the Stags can build some much needed depth for the MAAC regular season.

Wednesday

Wednesday did not appear to be a great day for the MAAC. Princeton went on a 16-2 run to cut a 7 point Manhattan lead and beat the Jaspers 61-54. Princeton was able to outscore Manhattan by 10 in the second half despite shooting a 33.3% effective FG% and only making 6 shots from the field. Princeton made up their scoring at the line, making 16 of 20 (80%) from the line.

One noteworthy achievement in this game, Darryl Crawford scored his 1,000th point with 9:11 to go in the game. Crawford and Rico Pickett led the Jaspers with 14 points each. Crawford notched a double double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Loyola grabbed a great local road win in a 69-66 victory over UMBC. Jamal Barney scored 14 of his team-leading 21 in the second half which included the game deciding layup with 11.7 seconds left. Former Siena Saint Chris De La Rosa scored 6 and dished out 8 assists for UMBC.

It took Marist about 25 minutes to score 38 points against Rutgers on Saturday in their seven point loss to the Scarlet Knights, but it took them a lot longer to get to that number in West Hartford on Wednesday in an embarrassing 75-38 loss. This appears to be the least amount of points scored in a loss Marist Men’s Basketball Division I history. (*In quickly scanning the Marist Media Guide, the least amount of points in a loss in Marist history appears to be 41 in a 43-41 loss in February of 1984) Marist 2nd year Head Coach Chuck Martin did not sugarcoat this one either:

“Arguably the worst game I’ve ever been affiliated with in my 12 years” [Martin] told the [Marist] broadcast team after the game. “The score is really hard to swallow,” said Martin, adding the Red Foxes’ “selfish play” was “something as a staff, we’re not going to tolerate.”

Marist shot a 30.5% effective FG% and went 7 of 27 from three point range. Marist had one double digit scorer in Candon Rusin and freshman have led the Red Foxes in scoring in both of their games. Friend of mine (and so, the site) Greg Hrinya posted his quick take on his site. The good news? They get a long time to practice before their next game at New Hampshire.

Coach Fran McCaffery has done a remarkable job of rebuilding the Saints’ basketball program, winning first-round games in each of the past two NCAA tournaments. And with four proven starters returning, they Saints are the favorites to win the MAAC and return to the Big Dance once again. It’s very likely they will be ranked in the Top 25 in most preseason polls. While 6-foot-6 swingman Edwin Ubiles has the most pro potential, point guard Ronald Moore may be Siena’s MVP. Rapidly improving Ryan Rossiter and rock-solid Alex Franklin give McCaffery two anchors inside.
- Fran Fraschilla

Fran McCaffery commented about Siena’s schedule a few days ago:

“Fortunately (Georgia Tech head coach) Paul Hewitt stepped up and he’s gonna play us in a guarantee game.”, McCaffery added.  “But beyond that, we’re in the Philly Classic.  Our schedule, while we try to make it as difficult or more difficult, actually is probably not quite as difficult just as a result that people aren’t ready to play us right now.”

Siena, also looking for another guarantee game, will not play at Mississippi State on December 16th because it coincides with finals week. The game would have been on ESPN if the two teams came together on the game.

An interesting quote from the Rivals article:

Chaskin has contacted plenty of schools that haven’t completed their schedules; some are even looking to fill games on the same dates Siena has available. Whenever he calls those schools, Chaskin typically get the same response: “Yes, we need a game and we know you need a game also. We’re also talking to other teams. Frankly, we’re hoping to hear from those other teams because we don’t particularly want to play you. But if we have to play you, that’s what we’ll do.”

Siena has two more dates to fill. They have until the conference schedule is released in mid-September to fill the dates.

Siena coach Fran McCaffery, whose Saints have won two straight Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championships, has signed a new eight-year contract.

McCaffery, who had two years left on his previous contract, confirmed the deal for ESPN.com. Siena has called a 2:30 p.m. ET news conference Wednesday to make the announcement.

The Saints defeated Ohio State in the first round of the NCAA tournament in a No. 8 seed-9 seed game before losing to Louisville in the second round. As a 13 seed in the 2008 NCAA tournament, Siena upset Vanderbilt in the first round.

Andy Katz previews championship week and says among other things:

Albany always supports this event, and a third meeting between Niagara and Siena this season would certainly pack the place. Niagara and Siena have the talent to win a first-round game in the NCAA tournament.

Pete Iorizzo says that Siena F Josh Duell will play Saturday in the Saints Quarterfinal game:

Duell, who missed the final two regular-season games because of a calf injury, expected to miss practice Tuesday and wasn’t sure when or if he’d practice this week.

“If my leg isn’t getting cut off, I’m going to play,” Duell said. ”That’s what I told the trainers, and coach (McCaffery) knows that. I just want to go out there and help the team whatever way I can.”

Kyle Whelliston swears, talks about conference tournaments and mid major at-larges in a zero-sum fashion:

As it stands now, your team will get into the NCAA Tournament, or it won’t. It might be lucky, or it might be screwed. Your team can avoid all this cosmic randomness by winning the next three or four games. But if the Saints or Bluejays or Gaels lose before Selection Sunday, they’ll have a lot to answer for. If your team doesn’t make it, there will be a reason why, and it will begin with “Because it lost.” Your level of denial may vary, and so may your insistence that conference tourneys are dumb and should be replaced by something else.

Raphielle Johnson gives us the season series information for Friday/Saturday matchups.

Jeff Goodman of FOXSports.com says that Siena is in danger along with Utah State and Davidson of needing to win their conference tournament:

Siena? The Saints will be on the fence after failing to get a resume win and also losing at Niagara last week. Fran McCaffery’s team will need to win the MAAC title or else will be sweating it out a week from Sunday.

Northern Iowa (18-9) vs. Siena (21-6)
ESPN2, 3:00 PM ET, Saturday
For five weeks Northern Iowa was a huge surprise in the Missouri Valley-maybe even “the Drake of 2009.” Since then, however, the Panthers have lost three of their last four, as coach Ben Jacobson’s formerly efficient offense has begun to sputter. On Wednesday night UNI scored just 46 points in 59 possessions and lost by one at home to instate rival Drake. The Panthers might be struggling, but 7′1″ big man Jordan Eglseder still poses a formidable challenge to opponents at both ends of the court. Eglseder makes 60 percent of his twos and is one of the top defensive rebounders in the nation. Meanwhile Fran McCaffery’s Saints have clinched the MAAC regular season title with a speed that matches the accelerated tempo they show on the court, averaging 72 trips per 40 minutes. With 6′3″ senior Kenny Hansbrouck and 6′6″ junior Edwin Ubiles leading the charge, Siena scores the old-fashioned way, taking care of the ball and making their twos. Also keep an eye on 6-3 sophomore Clarence Jackson, averaging just 15 minutes a game but not at all shy about shooting.

Andy Katz got time to talk to Siena Head Coach Fran McCaffery going into this weekend:

Siena is No. 29 in the latest RPI, with a strength of schedule at 67.

“We’ve put ourselves in position to have a discussion,” McCaffrey said of the Saints. “We did what the committee tells you to do, to play the best teams in conferences and beat a number of them and then we took care of business in our league. We’ve put ourselves in position to be discussed as one of the best teams for the NCAA tournament. We’re right there.”

Raphielle Johnson offers his analysis of all the MAAC Bracket Busters. Did you know Canisius had one of their assistant coaches arrested? Interesting.

Jeff Goodman of FOXSports.com says:

The Saints (No. 29, RPI) played a difficult non-league schedule that resulted in losses to Tennessee, Wichita State and Oklahoma State down in Orlando and also a road loss at Pittsburgh. The team’s résumé win came against a probable NIT team in Saint Joseph’s. A slip-up against Northern Iowa in the BracketBusters could result in an NIT bid for Siena.

As of tonight there were still available tickets. And here’s an in-depth RPI look at the Saints from CBS Sportsline.

There are a lot of other articles out there. Most of them do say though that a loss would siginificantly damage the Saints chances at an at-large bid.

Siena is the top team in the MAAC, and undefeated at this juncture. The Saints played a great schedule, even though they didn’t win any of the games in Orlando at the Old Spice Classic or against Kansas or Pitt. Northern Iowa is leading the Missouri Valley with a 10-1 record. But the Panthers beat NO ONE in the nonconference that will be in the NCAA tournament. Even the teams from supposedly higher-rated conferences like the Big East (Marquette), the Big 12 (Iowa State), the Big Ten (Iowa) — and if you want to throw in the Mountain West (Wyoming) — were all losses. The only win against a team from a higher-rated conference was Auburn from the SEC. Auburn is 2-4 in the SEC, 13-8 overall.
- Andy Katz

But the top-line game RPI-wise is Northern Iowa-Siena, which is simply a masterstroke of scheduling. These are two teams that are iffy for March play, but both were given the only chance to work on their respective weaknesses, a truer battle than they’ll get in their respective down leagues. It’s swift (Siena) against deliberate (UNI); each team will test the others’ defense in the way the other needs to be tested.
- Kyle Whelliston