Mike McMahon - The Record

LOUDONVILLE - Siena coach Mitch Buonaguro wants to get off to a quick start this season.

The last two years, the Saints haven't gotten off to the best start.

Last year, Siena started 2-0, but promptly lost seven of their next eight. In 2010-11, Buonaguro's first season, the Saints started 2-6.

Buonaguro has decided to decrease practice time from 2 1/2 hours to just two hours, with the thought that this will keep his team fresher and healthier.

“I want to get off to a good start. I think that’s important with a young team, to get some confidence.”

While practice will be a tad shorter, Buonaguro said he will be more demanding of the team during practice time.

“We have to practice well, especially with a young team," he said.

That should mean practice will be competitive, especially with guys fighting for playing time.

“It’s going to be a phenomenal atmosphere," said senior forward O.D. Anosike. "We’re going to have guys going as hard as they possibly can to get minutes and see playing time.”

Buonaguro said he would like to use the bench a lot more this season, a luxury he had to work without last season when the team played primarily six guys.

“If you can be fresh, use eight, nine guys, it probably makes you a way better team in February," Buonaguro said.

Mike McMahon - The Record