The Siena basketball team kicked off their season with a function downtown and an introduction of the players for both the women's and men's basketball teams.

The Saints, who were the preseason No. 1 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference last year, surely will be again and senior captain Kenny Hasbrouck will almost surely be the preseason Player of the Year in the conference.

Hasbrouck, who along with fellow senior Josh Duell are the two captains, was asked on Monday if he feels like a senior now.

“I feel like I’ve been here for eight years,” Hasbrouck responded. “I feel like I’m getting old. I came here the summer before my freshman year and everybody on campus keeps saying, ‘oh, you’re still here.’”

Siena coach Fran McCaffery introduced his team, including newcomers Owen Wignot, Kyle Downey and walk-on Connor Fenlon (Fenlon's father Joe is a friend of McCaffery and allowed Siena to practice at Tampa Prep during their time in Tampa at the NCAA Tournament in March).

Fenlon did average six points a game and seven assists last year for his father and the Terrapins of Tampa Prep.

Here's what a couple of the veterans said about some of the new guys.

“They’re hard workers and they know there are very high expectations,” junior point guard Ronald Moore said. “There’re getting a sense of how the community and the fans are behind us. They’re excited and as long as they work hard, they’ll find their way.”

“Owen is a great athlete,” Hasbrouck said. “He’s a running rebounder. I think he has to adjust to the college level a little better and has to gain a little weight. I think Kyle Downey is ready right away. He’s real crafty, like his brother, who played for Canisius (that's Kevin Downey). I think he’s more athletic and a little quicker. He’s focused and he works harder than anyone on the team, including myself. He’s in the gym every day, sometimes two times a day.”

Also, Hasbrouck was asked about sophomore Ryan Rossiter, who made waves of progress in Italy during the team's summer trip and seems poised for a big year.

“He hasn’t been a surprise,” Hasbrouck said. “He’s just showing his potential.”

Also, McCaffery mentioned that Erik Harris is now on full-scholarship and he said that this season, Harris' jersey will have his name on it, which it didn't last season.

Look for more in Tuesday's paper.