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July 2nd,
2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Siena
Saints
Overall Rank:
#129
Conference
Rank: #2 MAAC
2005-06:
15-13, 10-8, 4th
2005-06
postseason: none
 About
three weeks ago we were looking at a
Siena team with
legitimate NCAA dreams. The Saints were written off last year
when Jack McClinton split for Miami (Fl) and they still pulled
off a surprising 10-8 season. Now with the transfers of Kojo
Mensah and Levi Osby, Coach Fran McCaffery has another uphill
battle to contend in the MAAC.
Who’s Out:
Mensah averaged an impressive 16.6 points per game and 4.1
assists. His surprising and abrupt departure will put sophomore
Kenny Hasbrouck in the forefront of Siena’s backcourt. Osby may
have battled for more quality minutes this year, but the guard
who averaged 1.9 points per game is also leaving the program.
The loss of Antoine Jordan may hurt more, but at least it wasn’t
a surprise. The 6-4 guard averaged a team high 17.1 points per
game as a senior.
Who’s In:
Despite the
35 points per game that are leaving the backcourt, the Saint’s
perimeter is still their strength. That is what will happen
when a team starts four guards and a small forward. There are
some ‘big’ guys coming in that will make a difference. Michael
Haddix redshirted last season and sat out the last 12 games of
the prior season due to multiple injuries. He is only 6-6, but
the center plays much bigger than that and will be the answer
under the basket…if he can stay healthy. Power forward Cory
Magee and center James Carr, both incoming freshmen will provide
some much needed depth. Edwin Ubiles is a great pickup for
Siena, to say the least. The 6-6 small forward is an exciting
finisher and will raise the athletic ability of the Saints by a
notch or two. Alex Franklin will probably have to wait his
turn, but the 6-5 small forward has the skills to battle for
minutes. Ronald Moore probably isn’t ready to take over the
point guard duties quite yet, but the little 6-0, 140 pounder
will get his chance. Moore needs to get stronger and adjust to
the level of play and the sooner he does, the better for Siena.
Who to Watch:
Hasbrouck was a question mark when he arrived at Siena last
season. That didn’t last long though as the freshman started
all 28 games, averaging 12.4 points. Now Hasbrouck will be
asked to run the show. He’ll have some perimeter help in Tay
Fisher, who topped off at 11.0 points per game on the season.
Final
Projection:
The MAAC has
taken some huge hits with expected and unexpected departures.
The conference might be down a bit, but Siena won’t be as much
as some may now expect. There is more experience with returning
starter David Ryan and sixth man Mike Beers. The frontcourt
doesn’t just have a few decent players unlike a year ago, it
actually has some depth. The return of Haddix and the
recruitment of Ubiles is huge. They will help everybody in
Loudonville forget about the name Kojo, unless, of course, the
point guard position can’t be adequately filled.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
none
Projected
Starting Five:
Kenny Hasbrouck,
Sophomore, Guard, 12.4 points per game
Tay Fisher,
Junior, Guard, 11.0 points per game
Edwin Ubiles,
Freshman, Forward, DNP last season
David Ryan,
Senior, Forward, 9.8 points per game
Michael Haddix,
Senior, Center, DNP last season
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