Metro Atlantic

[waggy]

Has a surprisingly strong conference RPI rank of 13. Siena has an RPI of 28, and Niagra checks in at 57. They are the # 1 and 2 seeds. Not surprisingly, Siena hasn't received a lot of coverage on ESPN as an at-large. Their name comes up only occassionally. I checked Sagarin predictor and they are ranked only 70th by that measure, but that's quite a bit better than Dayton. Also, by this measure Niagra is considered basically equal to Siena.

It would be a big upset if any team other than the 1 or 2 were to win, as they appear to be clearly better than the others. Rider (#3) did knock off both on their home court.

All games played at Times Union Center in Albany NY starting Friday. Championship is Monday on ESPN2.

[waggy]

The lower seeded team won both opening round games: Marist beat Iona, and Canisius beat Loyola.

[GoMuskies]

Siena had their chances and lost every game they played against decent non-conference competittion. They don't deserve and at-large, but they'll be a tough out if they win the MAAC.

[waggy]

#5 seed Fairfield takes out #4 Manhattan.

Canisius vs. Siena just underway.

These games are being shown on MSG Network, DTV #634.

[X-band '01]

Siena had their chances and lost every game they played against decent non-conference competittion. They don't deserve and at-large, but they'll be a tough out if they win the MAAC.

I think Siena might be able to back their way in if they lose in the MAAC title game and other major bubble teams fall by the wayside. But since they're playing on their de facto home court in Albany, I think they win the MAAC.

[waggy]

Semi 1 underway can be seen on DTV 636. Siena leads Fairfield 28-10, 10 minutes in, so not a close game. Semi 2 might be better.

[X-band '01]

It's also on FSN Atlantic 171 here on the TW Sports tier.

[GoMuskies]

Siena is rolling right now. They will be dangerous in the first round (assuming their roll continues tomorrow).

[X-band '01]

Hasbrouck is a guard that is going to wreck someone's season - hopefully not the Muskies.

[GoMuskies]

If we're in a 5-12 with Siena, the Saints might be favored.

[xupuck10]

I think Siena might be able to back their way in if they lose in the MAAC title game and other major bubble teams fall by the wayside. But since they're playing on their de facto home court in Albany, I think they win the MAAC.

The MAAC tourney is actually at Siena's home court. The Saints play all of their home games at the Times Union Center in downtown Albany because their on-campus facility doesn't seat enough. Siena is about as far from downtown Albany as Xavier is from downtown Cincinnati.

[waggy]

The ESPN pundits had been talking most about Siena in relation to this final, but as mentioned earlier, Niagara is right there with them. In fact, Pomeroy has them ranked one spot better. Kind of amazing really. This should be a close game throughout, though I would think Siena would have a significant court advantage. Niagara has a 15-9 lead about 9 minutes in.

[GoMuskies]

Man, Siena is quick. That would be a bad matchup for Xavier. Though, we'd have a huge advantage inside.