Before I touch on Josh Duell's status for this Saturday's Rider game, I have to mention that on top of getting four votes in this weeks Associated Press poll, the Saints are getting some other national attention.

A writer from Sports Illustrated was at the media luncheon today and is planning on attending the Rider game as well. 

Now on to Duell. 

Siena coach Fran McCaffery said that Duell is still not practicing and is unsure if he'll be ready for Saturday's game. 

Duell didn't travel to New Jersey for Monday's game against Saint Peter's. 

If you remember last year's game against Rider, Duell hit a 25-foot 3-pointer with 1.3 seconds let to defeat the Broncs 80-77. 

That's the shot that had people start calling him "Big Shot Josh."

Here's what McCaffery said about the fifth-year senior. 

"He's doing some things, shooting, but he's still not cutting and sprinting," McCaffery said. "We haven't tried to do anything in terms of explosion. Every day he's getting a little bit better. We were hoping Saturday would be the game that he could play, but I don't know if he'll play - that might be pushing it."

Duell, who was injured during the Kansas game on Jan. 6, when he was tangled up with teammate Kyle Downey and sprained both the MCL and ACL, has gotten better quicker than first anticipated, but he just can't take that last step. 

"He got a lot better real quick and then now he doesn't seem like he can play yet," McCaffery said. "We're hopeful that if it's not Rider, that it's Monday or Thursday."