2008 Siena Saints Basketball Preview

The Sienna Saints (23- 11 overall, 13- 5 MAAC) had a stellar season last year. They took the MAAC Championship, went to the Big Dance and managed to get to round two of the Tournament. This season, the Saints look to repeat and best last year’s performance. But how deep can they go?

The frontcourt features junior forward Alex Franklin. Franklin averaged 15.1 PPG and led the conference in rebounding, averaging 7.8 RPG. He is a tough inside player, with a sweet shot and a good nose for grabbing the rebound. He offers some fine defensive chops too. A welcome addition to the paint will be six-foot-ten, 255-pound center Wolfgang Gieler. Gieler, a junior college transfer, brings experience and skilled play to the post position.

In the backcourt, the Saints have two of the best in the conference. Six-foot-three senior guard Kenny Hansbrouck may be the best player in the league. Hansbrouck, an All-MAAC and MAAC Player of the Year candidate, offers fine offensive and defensive play. He’s an excellent shooter and ball handler. Another potential All-MAAC player, guard/forward Edwin Ubiles, led the league in scoring last year, averaging an impressive 17.0 PPG. Ubiles, a junior, is a clutch performer with a boat load of experience. The guys off the bench are solid. The Saints have the best backcourt in the conference.

The Sienna Saints possess great potential this season. They return a veteran group of players, including five starters and two potential All-MAAC guys. Still, it’s not always easy to live up to expectations, especially when a team plays the bulk of its games in one of the smaller conferences. Then again, this may just be the little team that could. These Saints will face competition within their conference. Rider, Niagara and Fairfield will all be worthy opponents. But Sienna should win the MAAC, and they look to win two in the NCAA Tournament. Sweet 16 here come the Sienna Saints. They are primed and ready to go.