ALBANY, NY – Siena Basketball begins the program's 83^rd varsity season and 48^th at the Division I level when the Saints host Holy Cross in the 2023-24 season-opener on college basketball's Opening Night Monday at 7 p.m. at MVP Arena.
 
Tickets to the Saints season and home-opener start at just $12 (service fees apply if purchasing through Ticketmaster) and can be purchased by clicking the corresponding link, in-person at the MVP Arena Box Office, or by contacting Ticketmaster by phone at (800) 745-3000. The Siena Fan Relations Management Center is on-hand to handle all ticket-related inquiries, and can be reached by phone at (518) 487-2202 or by e-mail at sienatickets2@siena.edu. For all Siena Basketball ticket-related information, log onto sienasaints.com/tickets.
 
With Veteran's Day coming up this weekend, Siena is set to celebrate Military Appreciation Night at its season and home-opener. The Saints are offering free admission to all veterans and active-duty military, with valid ID. Additionally, the first 1,000 fans at Monday's season-opener will receive a free Saratoga cooler jug.
 
Siena enters the 2023-24 season with a revamped roster, after finishing 17-15 overall and tied for third in the MAAC with an 11-9 mark a year ago. The Saints don't return any starters and only 20% of their scoring output from last season, while welcoming nine newcomers including seven true freshmen. As a result, Siena enters the season with a youthful roster featuring no scholarship seniors as the Saints are tied with Marquette for the third youngest roster nationally based on average age (19.75).
 
The Saints returnees are headlined by reigning MAAC Rookie of the Year Michael Eley, who was named a Preseason Second Team All-MAAC selection for Siena which was predicted to finish fourth according to the Preseason Poll. The Saints have finished, on average, at least three spots higher than their preseason poll prediction in each of head coach Carmen Maciariello's first four seasons at the helm, save for his second year when Siena made good on its preseason favorite pick.
 
Holy Cross finished just 10-22 overall and 7-11 in the Patriot League a year ago, leading to the program welcoming former George Mason and Bucknell head coach Dave Paulsen to take over the reins this offseason. The Crusaders return four starters from a year ago – including three double figure scorers – for a squad projected to finish fourth according to their preseason coaches poll.
 
Siena and Holy Cross meet for the seventh straight season in non-conference action, with the Saints leading the all-time series 12-6 overall. Siena is a perfect 8-0 all-time at home vs. the Crusaders, winning by an average margin of 12.4 points. The programs are set to meet in the season-opener for the second straight year, after the Saints prevailed 75-68 last season in Worcester.
 
Siena is 42-40 all-time in season-openers, having moved above .500 thanks to a 3-1 mark under Maciariello. Meanwhile, the Saints are an impressive 61-21 (.744) all-time in home-openers.
 
Robert Lee and Kelly O'Donnell have the call of the game on ESPN+, which can be viewed by clicking the corresponding link. "The Voice of the Saints" Emmanuel Berbari and former Saint Andy Grazulis '92 will have the radio call of the game locally in the Capital Region on the new radio home for Siena Basketball, JAMZ 96.3 FM.
 
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 in the second half.