Siena to play in 2018 Hoop Hall Tournament

LOUDONVILLE — Siena basketball announced Tuesday that they have been selected to play in the 2018 Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament, one of eight teams nationwide selected. 

The game will include the first game of the Jamion Christian era, as they open the season on the road on November 6 to take on Big East powerhouse Providence in the first game of the tournament. Siena has faced off with Providence 14 times in the history of the two schools, with Providence holding a 10-4 advantage. They most recently played each other on Dec. 28, 2003, in Rhode Island with the Friars winning 73-66. 

Two days later, on November 8, they will head down to Washington, D.C. to face George Washington for the second time in three years. They faced off on Nov. 15, 2016 last, a game in the nation’s capital and won by George Washington 77-75.

Finally, they will head back up to the Northeast and play at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., and will begin play on either November 16 or 17 as they face Norfolk State out of the MEAC in the first-ever meeting between the two programs. Depending on how they do in that game, they will face either Stony Brook or Holy Cross. Siena last played Stony Brook on Mar. 18, 2014 and won 66-55 en route to winning the College Basketball Invitational. They played Holy Cross last back on Dec. 22, 2017 in Albany, with Siena grabbing a 71-65 victory. They are guaranteed two games at Mohegan Sun Arena.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to represent the MAAC at this year’s Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament, and are excited to compete in the event,” Siena head coach Jamion Christian said in a statement. “We look forward to the challenge of playing two perennially strong programs in Providence and George Washington, as well as the opportunity to be showcased twice at Mohegan Sun Arena.”

The balance of the Saints’ 2018-19 schedule is expected to be released at some point this summer.