It’s been a long time since we’ve seen Siena University at the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. 2026 will break a 16-year drought since the Saints last tried on a glass slipper, marking the first time they’ve qualified as a university rather than a college. But from 2008 to 2010 the program was a constant, earning a pair of first-round upsets over Power 4 teams Vanderbilt and Ohio State after claiming MAAC conference tournament crowns.
That success wasn’t sustainable, but Siena returns as a long shot to upset No. 1 seed Duke in the opening round of this year’s tournament. Former Syracuse guard and March Madness veteran Gerry McNamara has coached the Saints to their best record since that 2010 tournament team, winning 23 games in the process.
Did any of those wins come over Power 5 opponents? Was the only high major on the resume an underwhelming Indiana, who beat Siena by 21 points? Don’t worry about it!
Instead, let’s worry about where the Saints are making the trip from.
Siena University is located in Loudonville, New York
That’s only about six miles north of Albany, the state capital of New York. It’s roughly 150 miles north of New York City. It’s about 170 miles west of Boston.
