Siena opened Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play with a resounding 84-71 road victory over Niagara on Friday evening.

Here is the game story, from our stringer who was at the Gallagher Center.

The Buffalo News looks at how the Saints held the nation's leading scorer, Antoine Mason, who came in averaging 30 points per game, to just 18. 

Here is the school's release, with postgame video from coach Jimmy Patsos.

The Saints remain in western New York, to take on Canisius on Sunday, at 2 p.m.   

The Siena men's basketball team and new coach Jimmy Patsos kick off Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play on Friday evening, with a game against Niagara.

AP

This is the last conference opponent the Saints faced, losing to the Purple Eagles, 74-62, in the 2013 MAAC quarterfinals, in Springfield, Mass. That game was the final game in O.D. Anosike's career. It also marked the final game for coach Mitch Buonaguo, who was fired, three days later.

Nine months later, life springs etnernal for this (mostly) new bunch of Saints, as they head out to western New York to meet Niagara and Canisius.

Siena will be up against the two top scorers in the MAAC, and the leading scorer in the country, in Niagara's Antoine Mason (30.0 ppg), the son of former NBA player Anthony Mason. 

The Saints haven't won at Niagara's Gallagher Center since the 2007-08 season, which was the last year they swept this difficult road trip.

Tonight's game will be broadcast across the state of New York, on Time Warner Cable Sports.

LOUDONVILLE -  The mood in the locker room was one of despair and dejection.

The Siena players sat somewhat in disbelief, not that they had lost to Purdue for the second time in eight days, but how it had happened.

AP

The Saints led the Boilermakers by 16 points in the second half and watched it all slip away, as Purdue scored the game's final nine points to post a 68-63 victory at the Old Spice Classic.

There was plenty of blame to go around, but the Saints were hurting.

Lavon Long and Rob Poole had fouled out before the final media timeout. Brett Bisping and Evan Hymes each had shots late to keep the Saints' lead in tact.

"I was definitely disappointed -- we all were -- because it was definitely a winnable game," said Hymes.

Coach Jimmy Patsos was okay with the loss hurting because he wants the team to start

"That loss hurt," he said. "We could have beaten Purdue. We had a great opportunity to beat a Big Ten team."

Hymes, who matched for team-high honors with 17 points, took the loss especially hard, posting the following tweets not long after the loss and the 0-3 finish at the Old Spice.

So disappointed
— Evan Hymes (@EvanHymes5) December 2, 2013

Completely my fault
— Evan Hymes (@EvanHymes5) December 2, 2013

On Tuesday, coach Jimmy Patsos said this team needs to work better as a "we" and think less about the "me."

"We have to be careful in thinking one player is going to take us out of the situation that's occurred the last few years," he said. "We're doing fine. Organizations win."

Patsos said he spoke with Hymes on Monday about how he likes that he's been solid since being removed from the starting lineup and is helping to lead the younger guys.

"I really respect Evan for handling coming off the bench well," said Patsos.

He also said that he didn't fault Hymes for trying to do something late in the game, even though he would have preferred Hymes didn't try to do it all himself. Patsos also said it certainly wasn't Hymes alone that lost the game.

"No he didn't," Patsos said. "He's trying hard. He made a shot (attempt) to put us ahead."

Patsos said that Athletic Director John D'Argenio told him to plan out the work and then start working the plan.

"No one guy's going to say 'We're back, we're Siena and I did it,'" Patsos said. "It's going to be a 'We did it' and it's going to be a 'We did it', in terms of this great school the 25 years of great tradition and this great community."

Hymes said he spoke with former Siena player Conner Fenlon, when the team was down in Florida. Fenlon was a part of the 2008 team that also lost three games at Olld Spice and was reminding Hymes that team went on to win the league championship.

"That just shows you the MAAC championship is where you want to be and you want to be playing your best coming into March," said Hymes.  

While the team is just 2-7, the Saints have shown flashes that they can make a run come conference time.

"We just have to keep playing hard and playing well together," said junior Rob Poole.

The Siena men's basketball team wrapped up an unsuccessful trip to the Old Spice Classic on
Sunday.

AP

The Saints played well in spurts and would have felt good about coming home, had they closed the door against Purdue.

Siena led by 16 points in the second half, but the Boilermakers scored the game's final nine points, to post a 68-63 victory.

Here is postgame reaction from coach Jimmy Patsos, provided by the Siena athletic department.

It was the second time in eight days that the Boilermakers and Saints had met, with Purdue winning the two contests by a combined 13 points. 

The Saints lost to Memphis, Saint Joseph's and Purdue at the Old Spice and still have never won a game at this event.

In 2008, Fran McCaffery's eventual Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champions, lost to Oklahoma State, Tennessee and Wichita State.

This year's bunch of Saints need to regroup quickly, as they open MAAC play on Friday, traveling to the Buffalo area to take on Niagara (Friday) and Canisius (Sunday).

On the other side of town, the University at Albany is back over .500, following Sunday afternoon's 66-55 victory over New Jersey Institute of Technology.

The win is the Great Danes' second victory this season over the Highlanders.

Senior guard DJ Evans led the way with 17 points, which is good since I wrote about him for Sunday's paper. 

UAlbany travels to Holy Cross on Wednesday evening.

Imoh Silas had his greatest game as a Siena player on Friday evening.

Silas' monster night helped the Saints post their second straight near buzzer-beating victory, in a 71-70 victory over Cornell.

Mike McMahon/The Record

 Below are highlights and an interview with coach Jimmy Patsos, from the postgame radio. Both are courtesy the Siena athletic department.

ALBANY - When Jimmy Patsos first met Brett Bisping, he learned two things about the sophomore forward.

Jeff Couch/The Record

The Illinois native liked the Chicago Bulls and his favorite player was Michael Jordan.

That was funny to Patsos because, as a 6-foot-8 post player, Bisping and Jordan have nothing in common. (In Bisping's defense, Jordan was my favorite player growing up and we have even less in common than he and Bisping do)

Patsos suggested that Bisping look up former Detroit Pistons big man Bill Laimbeer and play a little like him.

Over the past two games, Bisping hasn't become a bad boy like Laimbeer was known for being in the NBA, but he has been playing very solid, especially in Siena's 72-70 victory over St. Bonaventure on Tuesday.

“I thought his play was inspirational," said Patsos.

Bisping finished with a career-high 13 points (on 4-for-7 shooting) and seven rebounds in the victory over the Bonnies. 

Asked if it was the best performance of his career, Bisping replied, “Yes. But that’s not what’s important.” 

Bisping has averaged 8.5 points and 5.5 rebounds over the past two games, as he's seen more action and seemed more comfortable. 

“Jimmy continues to push me no matter how I play," he said. “He always gives you a second chance to come in and try to play better. I’m just going to try to keep doing my job and help the team as much as I can, in any way.”

Patsos said when his mentor, former Maryland coach Gary Williams, stopped by practice a few weeks back, he liked what Bisping brought to the table.  

Bisping knows that his role on this team is to rebound, screen and do some of the dirty work. On Tuesday, with Javion Ogunyemi suffering an ankle injury and both Imoh Silas and Lavon Long fouling out in the second half, Bisping knew he could step in.

“I had to step up tonight," he said.

That's just what he did.

LOUDONVILLE - Evan Hymes was removed from the starting lineup after the first game of this season.

Since then, the Siena junior has actually been more productive, as a spark off the bench.

In two games as a reserve, Hymes has averaged 9.5 points per game.

“Evan Hymes is handling coming off the bench well and he continues to take the right steps," Siena coach Jimmy Patsos said on Monday.

In April, Hymes made a decision to leave the Siena program to be closer to his mother, who was having some health issues. He changed his mind later that month and decided to return for his junior year. Now, he says he's fully on board with whatever his coach wants him to do. 

“I’m ready to do whatever Coach Patsos wants me to do," he said.

Hymes and Patsos had discussed starting or potentially coming off the bench and playing more minutes.

“I just want to be on the court," Hymes said. "No matter if it’s starting or if it’s at the end of the game. I just want to be on the court to help my team.”

Following just a 3-point effort against the University at Albany, Patsos has decided to start freshman Maurice White at the two guard position. That meant that four freshmen were in the starting lineup for the first time in the program's history.

Hymes scored eight points against Vermont and followed that up with a 11-point game versus La Salle. More importantly, he's committed just four turnovers in 46 minutes of action since the opener, while dishing out five assists.

“Evan Hymes and Brett Bisping probably made the two biggest strides against La Salle," said Patsos. 

It was a jumper by Hymes, with a La Salle player right in his face and just 7:02 remaining, that looked like it might give the Saints enough for their first win, as it put them up by eight, 66-58.

“Right there, I thought we were going to win this game," said junior Rob Poole, who finished with a game-high 21 points.

Hymes was dealing with an injured wrist in the preseason, which occurred on the team's trip to Montreal.  He's only been back practicing for a few weeks and knows there's still a lot that needs to be done. 

“I just have to keep going, keep improving and keep working," he said. 

While Patsos likes what he sees, he also wants to see more from Hymes, who is one of the few veterans on this team.

“We’re 0-3 and I want to see him continue to take the next steps," said Patsos.

J.S. Carras/The Record

Mike McMahon/The Record

Both local Division I men's basketball teams are in action on Tuesday evening.

Siena travels north to take on Vermont, trying to rebound from a season-opening loss against UAlbany. This will not be an easy place to win, but coach Jimmy Patsos faces longtime friend John Becker, the Catamounts coach.

Here is the story from the Burlington Free Press, which talks about an injury to forward Ethan O'Day.

The University at Albany will open the home portion of its schedule tonight, when they host N.J.I.T., at SEFCU Arena.

The Great Danes will drop their championship banner from last year at 6:50 p.m., and then look to get off to a 2-0 start to this season.

As noted below, former Maryland coach Gary Williams stopped by Siena practice on Tuesday.

Williams gave current Saints coach Jimmy Patsos his first coaching gig, two decades ago, as an assistant with the Terrapins.

Also in Wednesday's paper, columnist Steve Amedio tackles the issue of mascot names, taking us back to when Siena went from the Indians to the Saints.

The issue is of course in the news, as people call for the changing of the Washington football franchise's nickname.

There may be only a few people who know the real Jimmy Patsos.

Beyond the character of the coach that jumps up and down on the sidelines and behind the public person who can sometimes overshadow his professional resume is a coach who has succeeded everywhere he's been.

One of the people who may know Patsos best is former Maryland coach Gary Williams. Patsos worked with Williams for 13 years with the Terrapins, winning a national title together in 2002 (and beating Rob Lanier's Siena club along the way).

Williams was in the Capital District on Monday and stopped by Siena's practice on Tuesday.


"I think Jimmy looks at the challenge to get (the program) where it was," said Williams.

Patsos left Williams in 2004, to take the head job at Loyola (Md.) and was with the Greyhounds the past nine seasons.

When he took over at Loyola, the team had one just one game, a far cry from the tradition-rich program that Siena is. The Saints have been down for the past few seasons, but when they are good, there's no question it's the best coaching job to have in the MAAC because the crowds are big and the Capital District is swept up in the program and the team.

When Athletic Director John D'Argenio hired Patsos, I'm sure he was thinking that Patsos would be a great guy to sell people on the program's revival.

"If there's a guy who can get the community involved with a team, Jimmy's that guy," Williams said.

Patsos turned that 1-win program around, finishing the past two seasons with a combined 47 victories and two postseason berths. Along the way he became a national name for both good and not so good reasons. There's no doubting he can coach. But sometimes he took away from what he could do with his players on the floor, with his own antics.

He's mellowed over the past few seasons, coincidentally or not, during the most successful years with Loyola. There's no doubt he'll put on a show as head coach of the Saints -- everyone with Siena is just hoping its a box office bonanza.

"I want to watch Jimmy in action," Williams said.

The area will finally get the chance to see the real Patsos, when Siena opens the season against crosstown rival UAlbany, on Friday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m.
 
Below is Williams wearing a nice Siena Under Armour polo shirt before practice began. 

J.S. Carras/The Record

The Siena men's basketball team held its media day event on Friday afternoon.

One of the former great Saints was at the ARC, in Kenny Hasbrouck (right with coach Jimmy Patsos), who has his No. 41 hanging from the rafters downtown.

For my story in the paper, I talked to Troy native Javion Ogunyemi, who lost his mother to cancer, in August.

The Saints have an intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday and will scrimmage at Army, on Oct. 26, before an exhibition against New Jersey City University, on Nov. 2.  

#SienaSaints Basketball Media Day. #MAACHoops pic.twitter.com/L8zeY0koU6
— Siena Saints (@SienaSaints) October 18, 2013

Siena sophomore Ryan Oliver saw his freshman year end abrubtly, when it was announced in January that he would have surgery on his left knee.

Jeff Couch/The Record

Oliver is back this season, ready to contribute and pick up where he left off.

“I'm trying to be consistent and show (the coaches) what I’m capable of doing," said Oliver on Friday.

Oliver started four games last season and averaged 2.2 points per game, but just as he was figuring out the college game, he had the setback with his knee. 

“It was tough to watch from the sidelines," he said. "But it was also a good thing — it was a learning lesson.”

Oliver said he's "good to go" and he certainly figures to contribute, once the season begins next month because he's a good shooter and his frame (6-3 — 195) makes him a difficult cover

“It’s always good to put on a jersey and get out there," he said.

The Siena men's basketball team is counting a lot on its new faces and new coach Jimmy Patsos, who are trying to get the program back in the right direction.

Here is a story from Wednesday's paper (right) on freshman Marquis Wright, who was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Maryland, last season as a senior at North Point.

Wright is expected to start at point guard for the Saints, when the season begins on Nov. 8, against crosstown rival the University at Albany.

Also of note, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference released its preseason third team on Wednesday. Siena junior Rob Poole was one of the five players mentioned.

"It's no secret, Rob's going to be a huge key for us," coach Jimmy Patsos said in a release from the school. "He took a big step in Montreal. I think he has the ability to be one of the top players in the league."

The other four players were Chris Manhertz (Canisius), Maurice Barrow (Fairfield), Emmy Anduar (Manhattan) and Ike Azotam (Quinnipiac).

The MAAC will release its second team on Thursday and the preseason first team on Friday.

Mike McMahon/The Record

J.S. Carras/The Record

The calendar just flipped to October, but we're already talking about college basketball season.

Both the University at Albany and Siena College men's basketball squads have kicked off practice in the past few days.

The Saints are trying to put last season's disappointments behind them and start fresh with new head coach Jimmy Patsos (left) and a slew of new players on the roster. Tuesday was also Patsos' 47th birthday.

Here is the link to a story from Wednesday's paper about the team kicking off practice and hoping to have some success.

I also checked in with the UAlbany team and this story appeared in Sunday's paper.

Our new columnist Steve Amedio also has a take from Wednesday's paper on Danes head coach Will Brown, who beings his 13th season leading UAlbany. Could he be the next Doc Sauers or Bob Ford and remain on Western Avenue until the end of his career?

J.S. Carras/The Record

The Siena men's basketball team released its non-conference schedule on Tuesday.

The highlight is a trip to the Old Spice Classic, in Orlando, over Thanksgiving weekend.

Here is a link to the full schedule.

"Obviously, it's one of the toughest schedules Siena has ever played," said coach Jimmy Patsos, who was hired in April.

The Siena men's basketball roster continues to evolve, as the Jimmy Patsos era begins its third month.

CBS-6 Albany reported Wednesday afternoon that former Bishop Maginn standout Taran Buie will join the Siena program next season.

Buie, a 6-foot-2 guard, who just finished his sophomore season, left Hofstra two months ago, citing personal reasons.

Buie started 26 games this past season for the Pride, averaging 12.4 points 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 assist per game. Hofstra struggled this season, finishing just 7-25, which led to coach Mo Cassara being fired.

Buie played with older brother, Talor Battle, at both Bishop Maginn and then Penn State. Battle and Buie were teammates on Bishop Maginn’s 2006-07 New York State Class AA runner-up squad.

Buie lasted just one season with the Nittany Lions. He played in just 11 games during the 2010-11 season, averaging 5.8 points and 2.0 rebounds in 15.2 minutes per game. Off the court, he had his issues, being suspended from the program for a violation of team rules, while also being cited for disorderly conduct.

A highly touted player coming out of high school, Buie was ranked the No. 17 shooting guard in the Class of 2010, his senior year of high school, by Scout.com. Buie, who averaged 20.8 points per game his only season at State College (Pa.) High, was heavily recruited by Notre Dame and Maryland.

AP

The Siena men's basketball team will have a lot of new faces next year, along with a new coach, in Jimmy Patsos.

One of the newest faces is Coppin State transfer Patrick Cole.

Cole should provide some offense for the Saints, as he averaged 10 points per game for the Eagles as a freshman, but he will sit out the upcoming season per NCAA rules.

Cole joins Marquis Wright, Maurice White, Lavon Long, Javion Ogunyemi and also Michael Wolfe (who wasn't mentioned in today's story) as new players to arrive with Coach Patsos for next season.

There has been more news coming out of Siena in the past few days. The men's basketball year-end banquet was held on Thursday, in Troy, but it seems like the season continues going right into the spring. 

Here is a link to the story about Gina Castelli, settling in at her new position, as head coach at Le Moyne College.

Here is a link to a story from the Siena banquet and how the roster continues to change at this point in time.

Below is video of new Siena coach Jimmy Patsos.



Below is video of Siena's Evan Hymes.

Siena guard Rakeem Brookins is facing felony burglary charges, stemming from an incident that allegedly took place 10 days ago.

Brookins, who averaged 11.3 points per game this past season for the Saints, is due in town court on Monday.

It's just the latest in what has been a roller coaster ride of a collegiate career for Brookins, who is from just outside of Philadelphia.

As a freshman, he starred on the court, averaging 9.0 points during the 2010-11 season. Then, he missed all of the 2011-12 season with a back injury. He returned this season, but was suspended for the first three games for violating athletic department policy. In a season filled with mostly misery, as Siena stumbled to an 8-24 finish, Brookins hit one of the biggest shots, a buzzer-beating 3-pointer that won a game against Canisius. The play was recognized nationally as one of the best game-winning shots of the year.

This is the first big hurdle for new coach Jimmy Patsos, who was hired on April 3, following the dismissal of Mitch Buonaguro in March.

It seems like a daily occurrence at this point, but more Siena basketball news broke on Saturday.

Ryan Restivo, who writes for Big Apple Buckets, reported that Siena sophomore Evan Hymes will transfer, in an effort to get closer to his North Carolina home and his mother.

Hymes averaged 10.6 points this season and averaged 13.4 points per game as a freshman, in 2011-12. 

Hymes is just the latest Saints player to defect, following Davis Martens, who announced he will graduate and return to Germany.

Hymes' departure means new Siena coach Jimmy Patsos currently has three scholarships to work with.

Patsos was officially named the coach on Wednesday and Martens announced his intentions to not return on Thursday.

On Friday, the school confirmed it will open the 2013-14 season playing against the University at Albany, on Friday, Nov. 8.

J.S. Carras - The Record

Here are two links from Thursday's paper about Siena introducing new men's basketball coach Jimmy Patsos.

Both stories are from staffer Andrew Champagne, who pinch hit while I'm on vacation. 

Siena introduces Jimmy Patsos as basketball coach

Press conference for new Siena men's basketball coach Patsos an interesting one

Another piece of Siena news happening on Thursday is that redshirt junior Davis Martens announced he has decided to not return for his seniors season. Martens will graduate in May and return to Germany.  

J.S. Carras - The Record