ALBANY, NY – Two-time defending MAAC Regular Season Champion Siena Men's Basketball makes its highly anticipated regular season return to the Times Union Center Saturday night, when the Saints host CAA preseason favorite Delaware at 7 p.m. to highlight the inaugural Siena College Homecoming.
 
Tickets to Siena's long-awaited home-opener start as low as just $10 for adults (service fees apply if purchasing through Ticketmaster), and can be secured by clicking the corresponding link, in-person at the Times Union Center Box Office (opens at 10 a.m.), or by contacting Ticketmaster by phone at (800) 745-3000. Siena has transitioned to mobile tickets this season, which are the safest, easiest, and most flexible and convenient way to both utilize and transfer tickets. Fans can learn more about Siena's mobile ticketing, including training videos and an F.A.Q section, by logging onto sienasaints.com/mobiletickets. The Siena Fan Relations Management Center is ready to handle any and all ticket inquiries, and can be reached by phone at (518) 487-2202, by e-mail at sienatickets2@siena.edu, or online at sienasaints.com/tickets.
 
Siena recently announced its initial spectator policy for men's basketball home games at the Times Union Center, which reflects the current New York State Department of Health COVID-19 health and safety guidance for large-scale indoor events of 5,000 attendees or greater. Fully vaccinated individuals must present proof of full vaccination status through paper form, digital application, or the State's Excelsior Pass upon entering the Times Union Center. Full vaccination status is defined as having completed the COVID-19 vaccination series at least 14 days prior to the date of the game. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated spectators aged five or older must present proof of a negative PCR test result collected within 72 hours of the game, or a negative antigen test collected within six hours of the game, upon entering the arena. Unvaccinated children under the age of five may accompany an adult who has provided either proof of full vaccination status or a recent negative test result. Masks are strongly recommended for fully vaccinated individuals, and mandatory for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated fans can secure a rapid test at the Times Union Center for $20 courtesy of Central Ave Pharmacy. Testing is open from 3-7 p.m. in the Terrace View Room, which can be accessed by entering from the third level of the parking garage, and results are provided in 15 minutes. Spectators can pre-register for a test in advance at rxalbany.com/tu.
 
Siena (0-1) is set to play its first regular season home game in front of fans at the Times Union Center in 619 days, dating back to a 77-55 thrashing of Niagara on Senior Day on Mar. 4, 2020. The Saints completed a perfect 14-0 home season in Albany that evening, and carry that 14-game Times Union Center win streak into today's home-opener. Siena is an impressive 33-12 (.733) overall in home-openers during the program's Division I era, including a perfect 2-0 under head coach Carmen Maciariello.
 
The Saints are looking to bounce back from a season-opening 75-47 setback at 23^rd ranked St. Bonaventure in the Br. Ed Coughlin Franciscan Cup Tuesday night. Siena led by as many as 10 points early (18-8) – and trailed by just seven with 10:38 remaining (49-42) – before the Bonnies scored 16 unanswered points to pull away.
 
Delaware is also looking to rebound from its own season-opening defeat against an A-10 foe after falling 93-71 at Davidson Tuesday night. The Colonial Athletic Association preseason favorites, who return their entire roster from last year's squad, had four players earn Preseason All-CAA honors in Ryan Allen, Kevin Anderson, George Washington transfer Jameer Nelson, Jr., and Dylan Painter.
 
Siena and Delaware meet for just the seventh occasion, and first time in a dozen years. The programs have split the first six all-time meetings, with the Saints steamrolling the Blue Hens 90-56 in the most recent matchup on Nov. 24, 2009 in Albany as part of the Philly Hoop Group Classic.
 
Robert Lee and Kelly O'Donnell have the call of home-opener on ESPN3, which can be accessed by clicking the corresponding link, on smartphones and tablets via the ESPN app, and on televisions through Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. All 13 Siena home games this season will be broadcast on either ESPN3 or ESPN+, with all home games beginning with the Jan. 2 matchup vs. Canisius also simulcast locally on Capital Region television on My4 Albany.
 
Pregame coverage tips off at 6:30 p.m. locally on Talk1300 AM and 98.7 FM with the new "Voice of the Saints" Emmanuel Berbari and Andy Grazulis '92 on the call. Complimentary online audio of the broadcast can also be accessed by clicking the corresponding link.
 
Social media updates will be provided courtside throughout the day by following the Saints' official twitter page @SienaMBB. Join the conversation by using the hashtag #MarchOn. Upload pictures of yourself and your friends enjoying the game through the Selfiefinder platform by clicking the corresponding link at the top of the page, or by downloading the Selfiefinder app and searching "Siena." The best selfies from the game will be displayed on the video scoreboard during the first timeout of the second half.