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Post by MTS on Apr 7, 2015 23:47:00 GMT -5
basketballpredictions.blogspot.com/2015/03/2015-16-preview-mid-majors-part-ii.html#MAACThis publication has Siena third. Keep in mind it also predicted us first last year too. And the writer doesn't account for JO leaving. If there's a team from the bottom half of the league to return to the top half next season, it's a Siena squad that underperformed preseason expectations badly (they were picked 2nd by the media). A primary reason was the loss to injury of 6'8" Brett Bisping, who averaged 11.5 ppg and 6.5 rpg in 2013-14, and leading shot-blocker Imoh Silas. Both will appeal for medical redshirts, and both are expected back next season. They lose Evan Hymes and leading-scorer Rob Poole to graduation now, but return starting point guard Marquis Wright, big man (and leading rebounder) Javion Ogunyemi, and wing Lavon Long. But their real problem this past season was interior defense and rebounding, and the return of Bisping and Silas should remedy that. 6'9" Willem Brandwijk, if he can play well enough offensively, could earn significant minutes in his sophomore season as well. 6'8" 2015 recruit Evan Fisher could also play a key role.
The MAAC should be stronger next season from top to bottom, and even if they feature upsets in the MAAC tournament again I still doubt we'll see them back as a 16 seed again. Here's how I see the top half of the league playing out:
1. Iona 2. Monmouth 3. Siena 4. Canisius 5. Manhattan 6. Rider
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Papi
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Post by Papi on Apr 8, 2015 21:25:05 GMT -5
Unless any other team other than Iona doesn't win 23+ games 16 seed or PIG.
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IndianSaint
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Post by IndianSaint on Apr 9, 2015 8:59:14 GMT -5
I don't mind Siena playing in the NCAA PIG (of course I'd rather get a better seed but it doesn't bother me as much as others). Heck Siena is undefeated in NCAA PIGs (even with a loosing record). Now if Siena wins another PIG it'll guarantee $500K/yr for five years for the MAAC (as opposed to only the $250k/yr for our first PIG win).
Once we get established as a program (and consistently win multiple yrs in a row, then I'd maybe look down upon the PIG more than I do now). It's all relative to the Siena BBall cycle (up or down).
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Post by MTS on Apr 11, 2015 10:44:10 GMT -5
So back to this thread where does everyone see Siena in the MAAC next year?
I think and EXPECT that Siena will be right in contention for a top 4 spot maybe higher. The only teams, on paper, I see better are Iona and Monmouth right now. Siena has question marks but so does the entire conference. We really need Bisping, Wright and Long to lead the way. Silas and Oliver to be strong role players. Also expect Willem Brandwijk to make a nice sophomore jump.
But the key to contending will be to get solid play from at least two freshmen (especially Nico). Just two years ago we had Wright and Long excel as frosh and it seems everyone in the league brings in impact freshmen. Gone are the days where they need time to develop (outside of the 6'8 big man).
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Post by siena12077 on Apr 11, 2015 11:11:21 GMT -5
Middle of the pack...no proof otherwise yet
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SIENA1971
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Post by SIENA1971 on Apr 11, 2015 11:40:39 GMT -5
No predictions but this upcoming season will be all about Jimmy ... Come next March his naysayers or fans will be crowing "I told you so" ... There is no room in the middle ... It will be a make or break year for the program ... I'm a fan for life but there will be no growth in attendance just having a mediocre program.
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OneIndian
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Post by OneIndian on Apr 11, 2015 11:50:44 GMT -5
No predictions but this upcoming season will be all about Jimmy ... Come next March his naysayers or fans will be crowing "I told you so" ... There is no room in the middle ... It will be a make or break year for the program ... I'm a fan for life but there will be no growth in attendance just having a mediocre program. No growth all you had to do was look in the stands this year .... There was a serious decline in attendance. I'm more concerned with maintaining attendance.
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purple71
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Post by purple71 on Apr 11, 2015 12:16:06 GMT -5
I don't mind Siena playing in the NCAA PIG (of course I'd rather get a better seed but it doesn't bother me as much as others). Heck Siena is undefeated in NCAA PIGs (even with a loosing record). Now if Siena wins another PIG it'll guarantee $500K/yr for five years for the MAAC (as opposed to only the $250k/yr for our first PIG win). Once we get established as a program (and consistently win multiple yrs in a row, then I'd maybe look down upon the PIG more than I do now). It's all relative to the Siena BBall cycle (up or down). Why the disparity in the amount of money from the first to the second win? Also, how does the MAAC breakdown the money it receives?
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IndianSaint
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Post by IndianSaint on Apr 11, 2015 14:54:47 GMT -5
I don't mind Siena playing in the NCAA PIG (of course I'd rather get a better seed but it doesn't bother me as much as others). Heck Siena is undefeated in NCAA PIGs (even with a loosing record). Now if Siena wins another PIG it'll guarantee $500K/yr for five years for the MAAC (as opposed to only the $250k/yr for our first PIG win). Once we get established as a program (and consistently win multiple yrs in a row, then I'd maybe look down upon the PIG more than I do now). It's all relative to the Siena BBall cycle (up or down). Why the disparity in the amount of money from the first to the second win? Also, how does the MAAC breakdown the money it receives? If I understand it correctly, teams/conferences receive $250/yr for 5 years for the first round and I believe it repeats for making it to the 2nd round. So when Siena beat Vandy and the next year Ohio St., Siena made $500k/yr for 5 years for both the Vandy/Villanova and Ohio St./Louisville NCAAs. When Siena first played and won the PIG, the NCAA didn't count that as the first round, so even when Siena won that game they didn't get a second $250k (or $500k in total for the two) for playing their 2nd game against MD. When the NCAA changed the PIG to the First Four, they payed those teams the $250k and the winners get the second $250k for playing in the round of 64. That's why UAlbany got $500k/yr by winning their PIG (1st 4) game. At least that's how I understand it. I don't know how the MAAC breaks it out. Anyone have that info and willing to share?
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glen
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Post by glen on Apr 13, 2015 6:51:41 GMT -5
Siena will likely be mid-pack. We have too many 's to make any other prediction. It is unclear what kind of shape Imoh and Brett will come back in. They haven't played in a year. Jimmy has done a great job of setting my expectations low. The early schedule is markedly tougher too.
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Post by siena12077 on Apr 13, 2015 9:05:24 GMT -5
Agreed. You'd have to be crazy to predict them finishing any higher than 4th. It could happen, but likely that it will not. 4-7 is more probable.
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IndianSaint
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Post by IndianSaint on Apr 13, 2015 9:59:17 GMT -5
Agreed. You'd have to be crazy to predict them finishing any higher than 4th. It could happen, but likely that it will not. 4-7 is more probable. I'm crazy but I expect no worse than 3rd. We should see the finish we were supposed to get this past year (only a year too late). All this assuming we don't have the type of injuries and players leaving like last yr.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2015 17:02:35 GMT -5
Agreed. You'd have to be crazy to predict them finishing any higher than 4th. It could happen, but likely that it will not. 4-7 is more probable. I'm crazy but I expect no worse than 3rd. We should see the finish we were supposed to get this past year (only a year too late). All this assuming we don't have the typepfinjurirs and players leaving like last yr. We are already off to a good start re your post, IS - we haven't lost a game in over a month! LOL! Gotta stay positive...................
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Post by playerparentcoach on Apr 13, 2015 17:31:45 GMT -5
Barring injuries we have a team capable of contending for a conference title the next 2 years. Recruiting will decide if we ca win consistently after that
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Post by MTS on Apr 13, 2015 17:37:36 GMT -5
Barring injuries we have a team capable of contending for a conference title the next 2 years. Recruiting will decide if we ca win consistently after that I agree. The time for excuses is long over. Siena has a good core in place and some good talent joining the team next year plus getting the two injured guys back. I expect Siena to seriously contend for the MAAC championship the next two years and win at least one of them. I don't care where they pick us - I expect Siena to be good. I hope this year was an aberration with a perfect storm conspiring against Siena.
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