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The Siena Saints men's basketball team will soon learn their opponent for the NCAA Tournament, with the brackets set to be revealed on Sunday (March 15) at 6 p.m. The Saints secured their spot in the tournament by defeating Merrimack 64-54 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) championship on Tuesday (March 10) in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
This victory marks Siena's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2010. Under the leadership of second-year head coach Gerry McNamara, the Saints delivered a strong defensive performance, holding Merrimack scoreless for the first nine minutes of the second half. Sophomore guard Gavin Doty led the team with 23 points and was named the MAAC Tournament MVP. According to Times Union, Doty expressed his excitement, saying, "It's a surreal feeling... We've been with each other since May, just grinding and grinding."
The team, which includes standout players like Riley Mulvey and Justice Shoats, has experienced a remarkable turnaround under McNamara's guidance. MAAC Sports reports that Siena's defense was a key factor in their success, with Shoats stating, "We dedicated our whole season on defense."
Siena's last NCAA Tournament victory came in 2009 against Ohio State. The team is eager to build on their recent success and make a strong showing in the upcoming tournament. Siena Saints' official site notes that fans and players alike are eagerly anticipating the announcement of their first-round opponent.