Siena Releases Nonconference Schedule

Guard Rob Poole is one of many dynamic backcourt talents that will lead Saints into Jimmy Patsos era, which begins with 11 nonconference games. (Photo courtesy of the Albany Times Union)

Our third nonconference schedule release is upon us, as Siena College today became the latest of the teams we cover to reveal their non-league agenda, doing so six days after Joe Mihalich unveiled his first nonconference ledger at the helm of Hofstra University.

The Saints will open what head coach Jimmy Patsos has deemed one of the toughest nonconference slates in the nation on November 8th at the Times Union Center, when they host archrival Albany in their annual skirmish that Patsos told us should be the season opener every year when we spoke to him back in April. From there, Siena embarks on a two-game road trip, traveling to Vermont on November 12th to play the final game of a four-year series between the Saints and 2005 NCAA Tournament darling Catamounts, with Dr. John Giannini and reigning Sweet 16 participant La Salle next on the docket from Philadelphia on November 16th. Three days later, the Saints will welcome St. Bonaventure to Albany in the battle for the Franciscan Cup, with a road trip to Cornell coming next on November 22nd before Siena heads to Indiana to meet Matt Painter's Purdue Boilermakers on November 24th in a preliminary game tied into the Old Spice Classic in Orlando.

Speaking of the Old Spice, the tournament makes up the next three games on Siena's schedule, with American Athletic Conference favorite Memphis being the first opponent for Patsos and the Saints on Thanksgiving night, November 28th. Louisiana State or Saint Joseph's will await the following night, with either a championship or consolation game concluding the Saints' stay in the Sunshine State on December 1st.

Following a near-three-week break for final exams and the start of MAAC play, Siena's final two nonconference games have New York City area flavor, with Joe Mihalich and Hofstra returning a BracketBuster game from two seasons ago on December 23rd, while Tom Pecora takes Fordham into Albany for the third game of a four-year agreement on December 30th. A Daly Dose Of Hoops will have a detailed breakdown of the Siena nonconference schedule later in the week, along with quotes from head coach Jimmy Patsos about the eleven games to help his team prepare for MAAC play, so please continue to follow us throughout the offseason.