Feb. 23, 2009

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - On the heels of its impressive ESPNU BracketBusters victory over Northern Iowa on Saturday, the Siena men's basketball team received nine votes in the latest Associated Press Poll released Monday. It marks this sixth time this season and first time since the Feb. 9 poll that the Saints are amongst teams also receiving votes.

The Saints are tenth amongst 20 teams that are also receiving votes in the poll, placing them 35th overall. Only 17th ranked Gonzaga and 24th ranked Butler as well as Creighton (21 votes) and Utah State (16 votes) are ahead of the Saints amongst teams from traditional "mid-major" conferences that are ranked ahead of Siena.

Siena also received votes to be ranked in the AP poll in the initial preseason release (Oct. 27) and first two regular season polls released on Nov. 17 and Nov. 24. Most recently, Siena reemerged in the polls in receiving votes in the Feb. 2 and Feb. 9 polls.

The Saints' highest vote total of the season came in the Nov. 24 poll when they received 18 votes following an impressive 2-0 start to the season which included wins over Boise State and Cornell. However, Siena's standing as tenth (35th overall) amongst teams also receiving votes is their highest placement of the season.

The 2008-09 MAAC Regular Season Champion Saints, which have won four in a row and 20 of its last 23 contests, return to action this weekend with their regular season ending Buffalo trip against Niagara and Canisius. The trip begins Friday at Niagara in a 7 p.m. tip which will be televised nationally on ESPNU.