Game 1, 2014-15: Siena

[MikeUMA]

We open up the regular season by hosting Siena.

They've finished building their non-conf schedule.
http://www.timesunion.com/sports/articl ... 704832.php

Their pre-UM tuneup will be an exhibition against D2's Gannon, on 11/8.

Siena won the CBI post-season tournament last season, and is expected to be near the top in this season's MAAC.

[xlgman]

Bump. We're only 5 weeks away...

[MikeUMA]

Scouting the Saints...
http://4guysinblazers.com/saints-contin ... ason/11296

[uz2b-len]

They sound like they're gonna be a top 100 team and a serious challenge opening night. They're gonna play with the passion to beat us and get themselves a headline.

[MassMan06]

http://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/9371

[Marty Peretz]

This will not be an easy game whatsoever. They return four starters from a team that won the CBI (CBI is a joke but point is, this is a program on the rise). They'll bring more fans than any other visiting opponent will bring to the Bill this year (very good fan base and not far away). Patsos can coach too. If we aren't ready to go and our fans are silent, we'll have trouble.

[uz2b-len]

This is a really dangerous game IMHO. They're a decent team with nothing to lose. We will probably have a lot of self-imposed pressure, from expectations about the Big Dance to all the brouhaha about Chaz and chemistry. We could easily play tight and find ourselves in a deep hole pretty fast. As a matter of fact, maybe that's our best chance--fall behind early and start playing like maniacs a la last year. Can we do that without Chaz?

[78]

We win this game by at least 10 points.

[Cool_Hand]

4 points in USA coaches poll, Someone needs to create the national rankings thread.

[uz2b-len]

We win this game by at least 10 points.

That would be nice!

[MajBugman]

We win this game by at least 10 points.

Agree with 78, but say they SHOULD win by at least 10 points. If UMass is the team we expect them to be they should beat Siena at home by a good margin.

[Roadtrip]

With two returning starters, one former starter, and two guys who could have started on other A10 teams, this team should be more than ready to win against Siena. It would be great if at least 8 guys can get some serious minutes.

[TheOFFSeason]

Siena has a team with all roles already defined(that is important early in the season)...4 starters back but really 5 since their 6th man(Hymes) plays/played starters minutes and has been a starter off and on over his career. Coming off post season success they are expecting a lot this year and have no reason to believe that they won't be battling for an NCAA berth. A win is a win in this one...if it is only by 2, that doesn't mean anything negative.

For anyone who has not seen Jimmy Patsos coach in person you will want to get a good view...not since Dick Fick at Morehead St have I seen anyone work the sideline like him(he once sat in the stands during a game when he was disgusted with both his team and the officials). You would swear his players must hate him but in actuality they love him. Last year was his first at Siena and nobody predicted they would do anything...he played 4 freshmen decent minutes and won the CBI.

4 weeks away..

[NilesGold]

With two returning starters, one former starter, and two guys who could have started on other A10 teams, this team should be more than ready to win against Siena.

Who is the "former starter"? Hinds?

I do agree with your general sentiment, UMass returns 4 guys from last year's team that averaged over 20 minutes a game and were major contributors, I don't think there's much role definition that needs to be defined with these 4.

Can't overlook this game, but UMass needs to win this one at home.

[Roadtrip]

Yes, Hinds. I see no reason why they should not come out ready to play.