To call the Siena College Saints giant-killers may be understating it just slightly. For NCAA tournament purposes, "Bracket Busters," would be much more appropriate. Last season, Siena entered postseason play as a 9-seed and upset 8th-seeded Ohio State in double overtime, 74-72. In 2008, as a 13-seed, the Saints drubbed 4th-seeded Vanderbilt, 83-62.
TRADITION:
There are only three non-BCS schools that have won games in each of the last two NCAA tournaments and Siena is one of them. (Western Kentucky and Xavier are the others). The team from Loudonville, New York (a suburb of Albany) is back to the NCAA tournament for a third straight time. They've won the MAAC conference tournament each of the last three seasons. This year, the Saints were 17-1 in regular season conference play. Siena basketball is so popular that the city of Albany built a brand new downtown arena, the Times-Union Center, to move the Saints' home games off campus and make them the center of attention in New York's state capitol.
STARTING LINEUP:
The Saints are a veteran and proven bunch. Head Coach Fran McCaffery starts three seniors and two juniors in his starting-five. Senior forward Alex Franklin was the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference's player-of-the-year and was named the MVP of the postseason conference tournament. The 6-5, 226 pound senior averages 16 points and eight rebounds per game. Franklin shoots an accurate 56-percent from the floor. In the Saints' last five games., he is averaging 18 points and 10 rebounds per contest.
Junior center Ryan Rossiter is 6-9, 235-pounds and mean-spirited when it comes to rebounding. Rossiter averaged 14 points and 11 rebounds this year while producing a remarkable 21 double-doubles. Rossiter had 16 points and 15 rebounds in last year's NCAA win over Ohio State.
Point guard Ronald Moore (6-0, 156 pound senior) leads the nation in assists at 7.8-per game. He is Siena's and the MAAC's all-time leader in assists. Moore, a 23-percent three-point shooter, nailed clutch 3's in overtime and double-overtime last year in Siena's upset of Ohio State.
Senior guard Edwin Ubiles averages 15.2 points per game. The 6-5 standout scored a team-high 20 points in last season's upset of the Buckeyes.
Junior guard Clarence Jackson's left ankle injury is a major concern for the Saints. Jackson was on crutches as his team found out their tournament destination on Sunday and did not participate in Monday's practice. Jackson suffered a high ankle sprain in practice on Saturday. He averages 13.6 points per game and when asked about the injury on Monday, McCaffrey said his star guard is "questionable, borderline doubtful" for the tournament opener.
NOTABLE:
The Saints were 17-0 in home games this season, while going 10-6 in all games played away from their new digs. Siena and Purdue never have met, but they shared a common opponent this season -- Saint Joseph's, a team both beat. Siena defeated St. Joseph's 92-75 on December 29th. Purdue dumped the Hawks, 85-60, in late-November's Paradise Jam. Fran McCaffrey was named the NABC District 1 Coach of the Year on Friday. The same day Matt Painter was named NABC District 7 Coach of the Year.
QUOTABLE:
"I feel like we have a team capable of winning in this tournament," coach McCaffery said told the Albany Times Union. "Whatever historical perspective that presents is something for people to talk about . But for me, it's all about this game."
STAT TO IMPRESS AROUND THE WATER COOLER:
Did you know...Sienna commits the least amount of fouls in the country (13.7 per game).
FINAL ANALYSIS:
All this being said, I think Purdue will be up to the task as long as they don't overlook this very talented and experienced Siena team. If the Boilers play defense like they can and the veteran leadership keeps them focused, Purdue should win the game, although I can't say I am confident enough to lay the points. My safe bet would be Purdue ML, but honestly the more I look at this game from a gambler's perspective I believe I will be passing. Good luck with your wagers.
TRADITION:
There are only three non-BCS schools that have won games in each of the last two NCAA tournaments and Siena is one of them. (Western Kentucky and Xavier are the others). The team from Loudonville, New York (a suburb of Albany) is back to the NCAA tournament for a third straight time. They've won the MAAC conference tournament each of the last three seasons. This year, the Saints were 17-1 in regular season conference play. Siena basketball is so popular that the city of Albany built a brand new downtown arena, the Times-Union Center, to move the Saints' home games off campus and make them the center of attention in New York's state capitol.
STARTING LINEUP:
The Saints are a veteran and proven bunch. Head Coach Fran McCaffery starts three seniors and two juniors in his starting-five. Senior forward Alex Franklin was the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference's player-of-the-year and was named the MVP of the postseason conference tournament. The 6-5, 226 pound senior averages 16 points and eight rebounds per game. Franklin shoots an accurate 56-percent from the floor. In the Saints' last five games., he is averaging 18 points and 10 rebounds per contest.
Junior center Ryan Rossiter is 6-9, 235-pounds and mean-spirited when it comes to rebounding. Rossiter averaged 14 points and 11 rebounds this year while producing a remarkable 21 double-doubles. Rossiter had 16 points and 15 rebounds in last year's NCAA win over Ohio State.
Point guard Ronald Moore (6-0, 156 pound senior) leads the nation in assists at 7.8-per game. He is Siena's and the MAAC's all-time leader in assists. Moore, a 23-percent three-point shooter, nailed clutch 3's in overtime and double-overtime last year in Siena's upset of Ohio State.
Senior guard Edwin Ubiles averages 15.2 points per game. The 6-5 standout scored a team-high 20 points in last season's upset of the Buckeyes.
Junior guard Clarence Jackson's left ankle injury is a major concern for the Saints. Jackson was on crutches as his team found out their tournament destination on Sunday and did not participate in Monday's practice. Jackson suffered a high ankle sprain in practice on Saturday. He averages 13.6 points per game and when asked about the injury on Monday, McCaffrey said his star guard is "questionable, borderline doubtful" for the tournament opener.
NOTABLE:
The Saints were 17-0 in home games this season, while going 10-6 in all games played away from their new digs. Siena and Purdue never have met, but they shared a common opponent this season -- Saint Joseph's, a team both beat. Siena defeated St. Joseph's 92-75 on December 29th. Purdue dumped the Hawks, 85-60, in late-November's Paradise Jam. Fran McCaffrey was named the NABC District 1 Coach of the Year on Friday. The same day Matt Painter was named NABC District 7 Coach of the Year.
QUOTABLE:
"I feel like we have a team capable of winning in this tournament," coach McCaffery said told the Albany Times Union. "Whatever historical perspective that presents is something for people to talk about . But for me, it's all about this game."
STAT TO IMPRESS AROUND THE WATER COOLER:
Did you know...Sienna commits the least amount of fouls in the country (13.7 per game).
FINAL ANALYSIS:
All this being said, I think Purdue will be up to the task as long as they don't overlook this very talented and experienced Siena team. If the Boilers play defense like they can and the veteran leadership keeps them focused, Purdue should win the game, although I can't say I am confident enough to lay the points. My safe bet would be Purdue ML, but honestly the more I look at this game from a gambler's perspective I believe I will be passing. Good luck with your wagers.