A Look at Siena's Non-League Schedule

Here's another in the series looking at non-conference schedules of men's teams.

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SIENA MEN

11/16 Navy

The Midhipmen were 6-8 in the Patriot League last season and 11-20 overall. They are picked for sixth in the eight-team conference this season. Top players are 6-4 senior swingman Jordan Sugars (16.0 points, 6.0 rebounds) and 6-7 sophomore forward J.J. Avila (11.5, 5.3). Sugars needs 11 more rebounds to become the ninth player in the program's history with career totals of 1,000 points and 500 rebounds. Avila was last season's Rookie of the Year in the Patriot League. Navy also has a new coach in former Penn State head man Ed DeChellis.

11/19 at Mount St. Mary's (Md.)

The Mountaineers finished 9-9 in the Northeast Conference last season and 11-21 overall. They're picked for sixth in the 12-team conference this season. Six of the team's top seven players return, including point guard Lamar Trice (13.3 points, 2.9 assists) and off-guard Julian Norfleet (9.2 points). Head coach is Robert Burke, a former Siena assistant under Paul Hewitt (1997-98 through 1999-00).

11/21 St. Bonaventure

The Bonnies finished 8-8 in the Atlantic 10 Conference and 16-15 overall last season. They are picked to finish fifth in the 14-team conference this season. Top players include 6-9, 250-pound forward Andrew Nicholson (20.8 points, 7.3 rebounds). Three other starters return, including 6-5 guard Michael Davenport (11.1, 5.9) and 6-6 forward Demitrius Conger (10.0, 5.5).

11/23 at Georgia Tech

The Yellow Jackets finished 5-11 in the Atlantic Coast Conference and 13-18 overall last season. They're picked for 10th in the 12-team conference this year. Top player is guard Glen Rice Jr. (12.9). The series with Georgia Tech was meant to bring Brad Sheehan (Latham, N.Y.'s Shaker High School) back to New York's Capital Region for a game last season, but Sheehan graduated before his eligibility ended and opted not to continue playing. Last year's game did feature a return to the area for former Siena coach Paul Hewitt, who was not retained (he is now at George Mason) and has been replaced by Brian Gregory, formerly at Dayton.

11/26 at Vermont

The Catamounts finished 13-3 in the America East Conference, 23-8 overall and played in last season's NIT. They're picked for fourth in the nine-team league this season. Although Vermont lost its top two scorers to graduation it did start three sophomores and two freshmen in the NIT appearance. Its top player is 6-8 forward Matt Glass. Vermont also has a new coach in former program assistant John Becker, who took over after Mike Lonergan moved to George Washington.

12/5 Albany

The Great Danes finished 9-7 in the America East Conference and 16-16 overall last season. They're picked to finish second in the nine-team league this season. Top returnees are guards Logan Aronhalt and Mike Black.

12/9 vs. UMass at Springfield, Mass.

The Minutemen finished 7-9 in the Atlantic 10 Conference last season and 15-15 oerall. Top returnees are 6-7 junior forward Terrell Vinson (6.5, 4.4) and 6-5 junior guard Freddie Riley (8.0).

12/12 Fordham

The Ram finished 1-15 in the Atlantic 10 last season, 7-21 overall and are picked for 14th in the 14-team conference. Fordham's lone league victory ended a 41-game losing steak in the A-10. Its top players are 6-7 junior forward Christ Gaston (15.9 points, 11.3 rebounds, fourth-best nationally in rebounding), and 6-3 sophomore guard Branden Frazier (11.0, 3.3 assists).

12/22 Princeton

The Tigers finished 12-2 in the Ivy League last season and 25-6 oerall, including a trip to the NCAA tournament. They're picked for second in the eight-team league this season. Top returnees are 6-7 Ian Hummer (13.8 points) and 5-11 Douglas Davis (11.9). Former coach Sydney Johnson is now at Fairield. Princeton grad Mitch Henderson is now the head coach.

12/28 at Florida Atlantic

The Owls finished 13-3 in the Sunbelt Conference last season and 21-11 overall, the best finish in the program's history. They're picked to finish first in the conference's six-team East Division this season. Four starters return, led by junior guards Greg Gantt (14.0, 3.9) and Raymond Taylor (11.6, 3.5). Top forward is 6-8 junior Kore White (8.2, 5.0). The team's coach is Mike Jaris, most recently at St. John's who coached against Siena for several years when he was at Boston University and the two teams were in the same conference (the old North Atlantic Conference).