Siena Saints to battle Ohio State in NCAA Tournament

It's off to Dayton, Ohio, for the Siena Saints men's basketball team. The Saints, along with hundreds of excited fans, found out which seed they were awarded and which team they'll play on Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. As Curtis Schick tells us, the ranking is the best in the program's history.

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. -- It all started at about 5:30 p.m. Sunday as fans file into the Athletics and Recreation Center at Siena College.

One man takes in the win over Niagara that gave them their second NCAA tournament automatic bid. Others pick up Siena MAAC back to back championship T-shirts. And while for some green and gold isn't their color, Ken Springer isn't one of them.

"I brought it here because of the green, brother. Gotta go with the green with the team," said Springer.

Reporters must work though. Many with mics in hand speculate on where Siena will end up. The Saints' public address announcer warms up the crowd that is now hundreds. Closer to 6 p.m., the team come out to cheers. Kenny Hasbrouck is a fan favorite.

Cheerleaders lead a "Let's Go Saints" chant, as the selection show starts. And it didn't take long. The team will dance in Dayton.

The ARC erupts. Siena is Buckeye State bound. The highest seed it has ever been. The team is a nine seed and will take on Ohio State.

"I was in Florida last year with them when we took on Vanderbilt. Nobody ever thought we'd beat them, we did. I went to Stanford out in California. We beat Stanford out there. We'll handle them. We'll handle them. Bring them on," said Siena fan Gino Turchi.

"I'm loving it. I'm loving it," said Siena College President Father Kevin Mullen. "The success comes from them and from the coaches and everyone else. I'm just happy to be along for the ride."

The only grown of the night wasn't even Siena related. It was when Binghamton University found out who it is playing - Duke. Tough draw.

No Blue Devils though for the Saints, just the Big Ten Buckeyes in Dayton on Friday.



Source: capitalnews9.com