Siena The New Gonzaga?

As the NCAA basketball season opens up for its 2009-10 campaign there are some unfamiliar names atop some voters top 25 ballots. One of these teams relatively new to the top 25 scene, the Siena Saints. A school that may not be a common household name for college hoop fans, the Saints are looking for a breakout season unlike any they have ever had before.

They are coming off a remarkable 2009 campaign which saw them defeating Ohio State in double OT of the opening round of the NCAA Tourney. They then gave top seeded Louisville more than they wanted to deal with in a second round opponent, taking it down to the wire in a 79-72 loss to end their season. Let’s put it as simple as, college coaches are taking notice of the Saints. When the tournament brackets come out in early March, I can guarantee you no college team is going to want to be paired up with Siena. You may think I am getting a little bit ahead of myself already throwing the saints into the big dance, but let me explain, and reassure you as to you why.

Returning 4 of their 5 top scorers from last season, the Siena offense is going to cause nightmares for opposing defenses. Coach Fran McCaffery has yet to experience a losing season coaching the Saints. Led by their senior point guards, Ronald Moore and G-F Edwin Ubiles, the Saints will not miss a step despite losing standout Kenny Hasbrouck. Ubiles was already names to the Naismith Watch List awarded to the top collegiate baller in the Country. Not to be overshadowed, Moore is a finalist for Bob Cousy Award, granted to the nations top point guard. Along side Alex Franklin and Ryan Rossiter, Siena is clearly a front runner to take home yet another MAAC Championship. And no, that would not be a misspelling, that’s the MAAC, with 2 A’s. Another reason Siena could be a shoe in for the dance. Siena was one of only three teams to finish with a conference mark over .500 last season. The saints should breeze through its conference schedule hopefully ensuring them a spot, in the unlikely event they lose the MACC conference tournament.

Already this pre-season the Small College from Loudonville, NY (Located in The Great Capital Region) has had comparisons to mid major powerhouses Gonzaga and Butler. They have been placed in some preseason polls as high as 15th! Siena could be on its way up the list of perennial mid-major schools that cause problems for the bigger schools come March. The Saints don’t boast the toughest of schedules this season however they will be tested at times. They will travel to take on number 20 Georgia Tech at the beginning of December at which time we could see a match-up of two teams in the top 25. St. John's, Temple, and conference foes Niagra and Rider could also produce some bumps in the road for the Saints along the journey. I am predicting a mark of 25-4 to be put up by the saints in the regular season. Tack on a 2-3 victories in the conference tourney, how is the selection committee going to be able to say no? Once again, that’s only if they happen to lose the Conference Tourney. However there have been some greater snubs in the past, (cough Hofstra 2006 cough, Still hate George Mason) but don’t get me started.

Now am I saying the saints are going to be a legit National Title contender? Nah. Do I believe they could make a strong run at the 2010 sweet 16? Absolutely. Like I stated earlier, no coach is going to want to handle the enormous amount of talent the Saints bring to the table. If what I predicted comes true, hoping for no injuries, and the saints do repeat as MAAC champions, they could be looking to better their number 9 seed received at last years dance. To say the least, I’m quite excited for Friday’s opener at Tennessee State.