Jan. 14, 2012
For the second time in three days, two of the MAAC's hottest teams will play a nationally broadcast game on ESPN3. For the second time in three days, that game involves surprising Siena.
The Saints travel to New York to face upstart Manhattan Saturday night in the National MAAC game of the week on ESPN3. The Jaspers are coming off their biggest win in years - a 75-72, buzzer-beating stunner of Iona in New Rochelle Thursday night.
Manhattan has rebounded smartly from a 6-25 season and last place finish in the MAAC in 2010-11 to post a 12-7 record and 4-2 league start under first year head coach Steve Masiello.
Siena has won three straight games, and five of six after switching to a six-man rotation following the transfer of Davonte Beard. The Saints swept Fairfield, Niagara and Rider on their recent homestand, scoring over 70 points in each game after doing so just once in their first 13.
Now, Siena needs to show it can win a league game on the road. The Saints lost their opener at struggling Saint Peter's in early December and were thumped by 36 points against Iona in Madison Square Garden Jan. 3.
Fans who can't make it to Draddy Gymnasium tonight can follow all the action through the Gameday Central link at the top of the page. In addition to the link to the ESPN3 telecast, fans can listen to the Siena radio broadcast for free or follow the live stats. The live stats and radio feed are also available on most mobile devices and tablets, including Apple's iOS platform. The ESPN3 broadcast can be watched on mobile devices by downloading the Watch ESPN app (fee).
Junior OD Anosike rides a streak of 12 consecutive double-doubles into tonight's game. Not only is it the longest streak in the nation and a school record, but it's the longest streak in the MAAC since 2000 (Darren Phillip - 19 games).
George Beamon is one of the MAAC's top scoring threats. He leads Manhattan with 16.7 points per game, but it's the Jaspers' style of play that will provide the stiffest challenge to Siena.
Manhattan employs an aggressive full-court press the entire game, as it did in its Championship years when Masiello served as an assistant under Bobby Gonzalez. The Jaspers have nine players averaging double-figure minutes, meaning Siena's durability and razor thin depth will face its most serious test so far.
The contest starts a brutal three-game stretch for Siena. The Saints travel to face Loyola Thursday before returning home to take on Iona Jan. 23. The Greyhounds and Gaels are locked atop the MAAC standings at 5-1, while Siena sits in a three way tie for fourth with Fairfield and Rider (the Saints have beaten both teams).
