3/21 NCAA Tournament First Round Game Thread

[YanksFan1992]

Scoreboard Update:

Finals from the second set of today's games:
Georgetown 66-UMBC 47
Texas 74-Austin Peay 54
San Diego 70-UCONN 69 (OT)
Butler 81-South Alabama 61

Current Scores:
UNC 60-Mount St. Mary's 41 (Halftime)
Oklahoma 34-Saint Joseph's 22 (Halftime)
Siena 46-Vanderbilt 34 (Halftime)
Oregon 35-Mississippi State 26 (1:30 to go in the first half)

[Bub]

Well, Siena won't shoot like that in the 2nd half, but it should be a game right to the end. Good representation by the MAAC champion.

The announcers talked about Siena's 1989 win over Stanford as a 14 seed, but didn't mention they beat them again this year, and Stanford is ranked very high.

[YanksFan1992]

Wow....I can't remember the 12-15 seeds playing this well in a long time:

12 seeds:
Western Kentucky defeats Drake
(and Villanova still to play)

13 seeds:
Siena beating Vanderbilt by 12
San Diego defeating UCONN

14 seeds:
Georgia hanging tough with Xavier
Cal Fullerton hanging tough with Wisconsin
(Boise State still to play)

15 seeds:
American hanging tough with Tennessee
Belmont ALMOST defeating Duke

[Bub]

Whats funny is that alot of people around the country who dont know a thing about Siena are probably in shock right now.....but seeing them play as much as I do and knowing the MAAC is a very underrated league (at least IMO anyways)....this isnt surprising me one bit

I get to see a lot of MAAC games. Loyola, Marist and Rider are all capable of playing well against good teams. The league has its ups and downs from year to year. Siena is a very small school, but outdraws all the other teams by a huge margin, getting about 6,000 per game.

[RhodeyYankee2638]

One of my friends has Purdue v. Tenn in the championship game. He paid $30 for this pool and still picked that. I think we should give him some of the pot for sheer enjoyment

[YanksFan1992]

These upsets are actually helping my bracket as most of the upsets haven't affected my Sweet 16 teams and could help them get to the 3rd round more easily.

Which teams in everyone's Sweet 16 are still alive?

I have:
UNC
WSU
Louisville
Tennessee
Kansas
Clemson
Kansas St.
Georgetown
Memphis
Pitt
Stanford
Texas
UCLA
Xavier

and then Drake and Arizona

[YanksFan1992]

One of my friends has Purdue v. Tenn in the championship game. He paid $30 for this pool and still picked that. I think we should give him some of the pot for sheer enjoyment

I can't see Purdue getting to the final but I wouldn't be surprised at all if they made the Elite 8...

[Martini6196]

He speaks the truth. Fisher is the only senior, and he's not a starter. The team should do very well next year.

Siena grad - 1980.

Siena grad - 2004

[Martini6196]

I was at the Siena vs. Stanford game this year and it wasn't even close. Siena won by 13 and led the whole game!

[dabomb2045]

I get to see a lot of MAAC games. Loyola, Marist and Rider are all capable of playing well against good teams. The league has its ups and downs from year to year. Siena is a very small school, but outdraws all the other teams by a huge margin, getting about 6,000 per game.

Agreed. The MAAC representative usually has a solid showing in the NCAA's. The league's been strong the last few years. Even last year Marist lost to Siena in the MAAC tourney, but then won a road game against Oklahoma St in the NIT, and lost another close game at NC State.

Its a quality league that gives you alot of good basketball.

[YanksFan1992]

Wow, Oklahoma is running away with this and are up 19 on Saint Joe's.


I just heard that out of around 3.65 million people who submitted brackets on ESPN, only 24 have perfect one's.

[dabomb2045]

Wow, Oklahoma is running away with this and are up 19 on Saint Joe's.


I just heard that out of around 3.65 million people who submitted brackets on ESPN, only 24 have perfect one's.

If there's a competition for worst bracket....I'm probably winning or close to the lead

[Bub]

Siena grad - 2004

I was an original member of the TeePee Rowdies, back when Siena was the Indians. We had the Indian mascot and a pep band...Siena had just gone Division 1 in 1976. We woke up after the measles game in 1989 to an NCAA Tournament and a new name - Saints. Man, we were really PO'd.

[Martini6196]

I was an original member of the TeePee Rowdies, back when Siena was the Indians. We had the Indian mascot and a pep band...Siena had just gone Division 1 in 1976. We woke up after the measles game in 1989 to an NCAA Tournament and a new name - Saints. Man, we were really PO'd.

Wow thats funny. It's a small world. Do you live near Siena now? I'm up in Saratoga.

[Bub]

Agreed. The MAAC representative usually has a solid showing in the NCAA's. The league's been strong the last few years. Even last year Marist lost to Siena in the MAAC tourney, but then won a road game against Oklahoma St in the NIT, and lost another close game at NC State.

Its a quality league that gives you alot of good basketball.

I don't understand how so many basketball fans around the county never heard of Siena. Back in 2002, they gave Maryland, the ultimate winner, their toughest game of the tournament. They also finished 3rd in the NIT back in the late 80s, and then the Stanford win in 89. It's not like they're the new team on the block.

[keg411]

I get to see a lot of MAAC games. Loyola, Marist and Rider are all capable of playing well against good teams. The league has its ups and downs from year to year. Siena is a very small school, but outdraws all the other teams by a huge margin, getting about 6,000 per game.

I saw Siena play St. Peter's probably around 3-4 years ago. Seems like a fun little conference, even though I felt like I was watching the game in a High School gym .

Still, if they're this good, how did Cornell beat them??? (Yes, I know Cornell had a good season and won the Ivy's, but they looked lost in their NCAA game).

[Bub]

Wow thats funny. It's a small world. Do you live near Siena now? I'm up in Saratoga.

Look near the Avatar. I'll be in Saratoga tomorrow.

[Martini6196]

I saw Siena play St. Peter's probably around 3-4 years ago. Seems like a fun little conference, even though I felt like I was watching the game in a High School gym .

Still, if they're this good, how did Cornell beat them??? (Yes, I know Cornell had a good season and won the Ivy's, but they looked lost in their NCAA game).

Siena draws over 6000 people per game in the Times Union Center in Albany. When they play UAlbany there is 12,000 people there.

The Cornell loss was pretty ugly.......so was the loss to Manhattan....

[Martini6196]

Look near the Avatar. I'll be in Saratoga tomorrow.

Nice. My best friend owns the Saratoga City Tavern. I bartend there during track season.

[Bub]

I saw Siena play St. Peter's probably around 3-4 years ago. Seems like a fun little conference, even though I felt like I was watching the game in a High School gym .

Still, if they're this good, how did Cornell beat them??? (Yes, I know Cornell had a good season and won the Ivy's, but they looked lost in their NCAA game).

Well, they're very young, so inexperience can hurt them. They can look unbeatable then get crushed the next game. Seems the teams have always played like this, which can make them dangerous on any given night. You should have seen them down in Maryland this year....got absolutely destroyed against Loyola.

[keg411]

Siena draws over 6000 people per game in the Times Union Center in Albany. When they play UAlbany there is 12,000 people there.

Except that I saw Siena play AT St. Peter's... in Jersey City (I think that's where they are)... in what looked like a High School gym. And there may have actually been more Siena fans there than St. Peter's fans .

[Bub]

Nice. My best friend owns the Saratoga City Tavern. I bartend there during track season.

Not sure if I've been there. I used to hang at some bars down near Phila St. or that big Irish place to the north...can't recall names at the moment.

[nhyankeefan]

Well, they're very young, so inexperience can hurt them. They can look unbeatable then get crushed the next game. Seems the teams have always played like this, which can make them dangerous on any given night. You should have seen them down in Maryland this year....got absolutely destroyed against Loyola.

Does Siena still play in the ARC? Back when I lived in your neck of the woods we used to have season tickets and it was always fun to watch them. This was back in the days of Dan Terwilliger, Fred Daniels and some other guys I can't remember. They were decent back then, they used to come in the top three or four of their conference but they never won it. I think their biggest rivals were St. Peters, LIU and Iona when Jeff Rutland was on the team.

[Martini6196]

Does Siena still play in the ARC? Back when I lived in your neck of the woods we used to have season tickets and it was always fun to watch them. This was back in the days of Dan Terwilliger, Fred Daniels and some other guys I can't remember. They were decent back then, they used to come in the top three or four of their conference but they never won it. I think their biggest rivals were St. Peters, LIU and Iona when Jeff Rutland was on the team.

No they play the Times Union Center now......used to be the Knickerbocker Arena then the Pepsi Arena.

[YanksFan1992]

Mississippi State has cut a 14 point lead to only 5.

Also St. Joe's is only down 9 and Vandy is only down 7.

[nhyankeefan]

No they play the Times Union Center now......used to be the Knickerbocker Arena then the Pepsi Arena.

How close is that to campus? Unless they run a lot of buses that must be a pain for the students.

[Bub]

How close is that to campus? Unless they run a lot of buses that must be a pain for the students.

10 minutes.

[dabomb2045]

I don't understand how so many basketball fans around the county never heard of Siena. Back in 2002, they gave Maryland, the ultimate winner, their toughest game of the tournament. They also finished 3rd in the NIT back in the late 80s, and then the Stanford win in 89. It's not like they're the new team on the block.

Not sure. Marist seems to be known a little more (I think)....probably cuz of Rik Smits playing here back in the late 80s before he was drafted 2nd overall in 1989. But Marist also hasnt made the NCAAs since then. Siena always seems to have a good team and they make the NCAAs often.

Usually whoever makes it from the MAAC gives a good performance. I remember Iona almost beating Syracuse a few years ago too.

[Martini6196]

The Vanderbilt coach is in danger of getting his second T and getting tossed.

[Bub]

Not sure. Marist seems to be known a little more (I think)....probably cuz of Rik Smits playing here back in the late 80s before he was drafted 2nd overall in 1989. But Marist also hasnt made the NCAAs since then. Siena always seems to have a good team and they make the NCAAs often.

Usually whoever makes it from the MAAC gives a good performance. I remember Iona almost beating Syracuse a few years ago too.

When Siena went Division 1, they talked Syracuse into a game. We lost 144-92....very humiliating. However, we got the last laugh......some of our students painted the Orangeman statue out in front of the campus Siena's green and gold color. Man, when daylight came the next day....

[dabomb2045]

Oh damn you CBS....they pulled the Siena game. Now I have St Joe's-Oklahoma

[Martini6196]

When Siena went Division 1, they talked Syracuse into a game. We lost 144-92....very humiliating. However, we got the last laugh......some of our students painted the Orangeman statue out in front of the campus Siena's green and gold color. Man, when daylight came the next day....

Thats awesome! Siena played Syracuse tough at the Dome this season too.

[Martini6196]

Fisher is 6-6 from 3!

[Bub]

What they're saying about Moore isn't true...he can make a lot of mistakes.

[Martini6196]

What they're saying about Moore isn't true...he can make a lot of mistakes.

Actually Moore had the best assist-to-turnover ratio in the MAAC this year. He really was much improved since last year. Althought tonight he is showing signs of his old self.

[Bub]

Every time Vandy gets within single digits, Siena answers back....they've got to be getting frustrated out there.

[Bub]

Actually Moore had the best assist-to-turnover ratio in the MAAC this year. He really was much improved since last year. Althought tonight he is showing signs of his old self.

He's going to be teriffic next season. He's a vital part of the team, so even when he's having a bad night he has to be in there.

[Martini6196]

I can't say enough about the defense Ubiles is paying against Shan Foster (SEC Player of the year).

[nhyankeefan]

Siena looks like they're pulling away so I doubt we'll see anything more than the end of the game here. Assuming they keep their lead, who will their second round opponent be?

[Martini6196]

Siena looks like they're pulling away so I doubt we'll see anything more than the end of the game here. Assuming they keep their lead, who will their second round opponent be?

Winner of Villanova vs. Clemson.

[Bub]

Siena looks like they're pulling away so I doubt we'll see anything more than the end of the game here. Assuming they keep their lead, who will their second round opponent be?

Has Villanova played yet?

[Martini6196]

Has Villanova played yet?

Nope they are the next game in Tampa after the Siena game is over. It should be on TV in our area.

[Bub]

It's still not over, but it's looking pretty good. We'll see what kind of lead they can maintain over the next 2 minutes.

[dabomb2045]

I picked Siena to win and I felt they were underseeded at 13. I like being right...it doesnt happen often

[Bub]

I picked Siena to win and I felt they were underseeded at 13. I like being right...it doesnt happen often

Glad you gave them some respect! It's over now!!!

[Bub]

Wow, Vanderbilt dismantled!

[BonusCantos]

Had a feeling about Siena, but couldn't bring myself to pick them. I thought St. Joe's was going to get it done, though.

[26 and counting]

Siena looked impressive. Can they be this year's George Mason?

[Bub]

Had a feeling about Siena, but couldn't bring myself to pick them. I thought St. Joe's was going to get it done, though.

Believe me, they can go out tomorrow and get crushed by Vandy. They just played harder and got some hot shooting tonight. It's a great win for the program, and I'm sure all the other MAAC teams are thrilled.

[Bub]

Siena looked impressive. Can they be this year's George Mason?

No...maybe next year though since they'll bring back all 5 starters.