Saints Men and Women Basketball are Ready for 2013-14 Season
MAAC Sports
A “New” Look For Siena Men’s Basketball
There’s plenty of “new” this year for the Siena College men’s basketball program. In addition to eight new faces on the roster, the Saints also have new head coach at the helm – Jimmy Patsos.While Patsos may be new to Siena he is familiar with the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference after nine years as head coach at Loyola Maryland, formerly in the MAAC. He guided the Greyhounds to 24 wins and the MAAC Championship two years ago, and last season led them to 23 wins for their best consecutive seasons in school history.
While there are eight newcomers on the roster, Patsos does have a solid nucleus returning. Versatile junior Rob Poole averaged 11.8 points last season, and can play both backcourt positions as well as up front. He led the Saints with 2.0 three-pointers per game last year, and was a preseason All-MAAC third team selection. Another junior, 5-8 guard Evan Hymes, averaged 10.8 points and can play both backcourt spots as well. Guard Rich Audu, a 6-3 sophomore, averaged 14 minutes just under three points per game, and shot 93% from the foul line. Three strong bodies return up front in 6-8 Imoh Silas and 6-7 Marcus Hopper, a pair of juniors and 6-8 sophomore Brett Bisping. Bisping averaged 3.2 points and 2.6 rebounds per game a year ago, while Silas contributed 3.6 points and 3.0 rebounds. Newcomers who could challenge for time include 6-0 guard Marquis Wright, 6-8 Javion Ogunyemi and 6-6 Lavon Long. Wright’s development at the point guard position could allow Hymes more time at the shooting guard spot.
The Saints were picked to finish 10th in the MAAC men’s basketball preseason poll. In non-conference action, Siena will play at LaSalle, which advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 last season, and in the Old Spice Classic, against Purdue, Memphis, and either LSU or St. Joseph’s. The Saints will appear four times on the MAAC’s television package, including Jan. 30 against Niagara on ESPN3; at Marist on Feb. 14, either ESPNU or ESPN3; Feb. 21 against Manhattan, either ESPN or ESPN3, and Feb. 27 at Quinnipiac, on ESPN3.
Siena Women’s Basketball is Ready for Upcoming Season
The Siena women’s basketball team posted a 13-18 overall record last season under first-year head coach Ali Jaques and finished tied for sixth in the MAAC with an 8-10 conference record while also advancing to the MAAC Semifinals as the No. 6 seed for a second straight season last spring. Head coach Jaques still has higher expectations for the team as she was quoting mentioning this during the team’s media day on Oct. 21. The Saints were predicted to finish seventh in the MAAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
Siena returns four starters and 11 letter winners from last year’s team. The only loss is the team’s 2012-13 scoring and rebounding leader Lily Grenci who was a First Team All-MAAC selection. The Siena Saints will rely on junior guard Tehresa Coles to be their key player and face of the program in the upcoming season. The Loudonville, N.Y. native led the MAAC with 90 steals last season and ranked 28th nationally averaging 2.9 steals per game. Cole is the Saints’ top returning scorer after averaging 9.1 point per game a year ago. Joining Cole in the backcourt will be 5-7 senior Ciara Stewart. Stewart of Clinton, Md. Ranked second on the Saints with 57 assists and third in steals with 42. The frontcourt will feature senior Clara Sole Anglada and junior Ida Krogh. Sole Anglada, the 6-1 forward from La Roca, Barcelona, Spain, led the Saints in threes knocking down 38 and in blocks with 25 which ranked 9th in the MAAC. The 6-0 Aarhus, Denmark native Krogh ranked 11th in the league in assists per game with 2.5. The Saints welcome four newcomers to the program this season in freshmen Brianna Logan, Emia Willingham, Halee Adams and Meghan Donohue. A native of Lumberton, N.J., Logan is a cousin to Siena Men’s Basketball all-time leading scorer Marc Brown. Willingham is a local standout who played at Albany High. Adams, from Hollidaysburg, Pa., eclipsed 1,000 points before the end of her sophomore season in high school. A native of Mogadore, Ohio, Donohue was an All-North Coast League First Team and a Division II All-Northeast Inland District Honorable Mention.
The Saints will appear in two games on the ESPN networks as part of the MAAC’s television package. On Thursday Jan.16 they will take on Fairfield at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn. at 6:00 PM on ESPN3. On Thursday Jan.30 the Saints will host Manhattan at the Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y. as part of a doubleheader with the men’s team. This game will also be featured on ESPN3 at 6:00 PM.
Siena Notes:
Albany Cup
Friday, November 8th vs. UAlbany - 5 PM
Siena Women's Basketball season opener is Friday, November 8th vs. crosstown rival UAlbany for the Annual Albany Cup game. It’s a doubleheader with the women's game at 5 and the men's game at 7. The hashtag to promote is #AlbanyCup.
Siena Stomps Out Homelessness
Saturday, December 7th vs. Buffalo – 2 PM
The Annual “Stomp Out Homelessness” Game brings together youth groups, businesses and sports fans together in a fun and interactive way to fight homelessness. Gameday Packages are $10 and include admission to the game, an Official Stomp Out Homlessness t-shirt, a Siena lunch bag, concession voucher and 10% gameday discount on Siena merchandise. At halftime fans are welcome to come on to the court to perform the cha-cha slide to help Stomp out Homelessness. All proceeds beneft the Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless.
Bobblehead Giveaway Day
Saturday, December 21st vs. Binghamton – 2 PM
The first 300 fans in attendance will receive a commemorative Ali Jaques Bobblehead Doll.
BlueShield of Northeastern New York Kid’s Day
Monday, January 13th vs. Monmouth – 11 AM
This marks the fourth straight year in which the Saints will host Kid’s Day. Last year 2,368 fans from 10 Capital Region-area schools attended the event which included an educational component with games and halftime assembly run by BSNENY teaching kids about making healthy choices. The game is part of Siena Athletics’ “Saints in the Community” Adopt-A-School Program and both players and coaches from the men’s and women’s teams will make return visits to the schools.
Pink Zone
Thursday, February 20th vs. Quinnipiac – 7 PM
Entering its 14th season, the Saints’ Pink Zone Game presented by Berkshire Bank has already raised more than $100,000 for the Capital Region Action Against Breast Cancer (CRAAB!). Last year’s game raised a new single-season record of $30,037 for CRAAB!. The Saints will wear special pink uniforms for the game, hold a pregame reception and honor survivors during the game amongst other special ceremonies. The hashtag to promote is #SienaPinkZone and the official website to link to for the event is: http://www.sienasaints.com/pinkzone/
National Girls and Women in Sports Day
Sunday, February 23rd vs. Fairfield – 2 PM
Members from all of Siena women’s athletic programs will be in attendance and be honored as part of National Girls and Women in Sports Day which promotes equitable and quality sports opportunities for all girls and women. The game also marks the Saints annual Gold Rush game and popular Dance Clinic.