Five games in eight days.
That’s the rigorous schedule the Siena men’s basketball team is facing starting with a two-game set against Marist on Saturday and Sunday afternoons in Poughkeepsie.
While that could change given the fluid scheduling situation due to COVID-19, Siena head coach Carmen Maciariello isn’t a fan of packing so many games into a short time frame.
Of course, the players are the ones who have to deal with the physical grind, including junior point guard Jalen Pickett and senior guard/forward Manny Camper.
“Definitely a lot of games coming up, so we definitely have to take care of our bodies, get treatment, stretch,” Pickett said. “We definitely love the competition part of it, so we’re going to do whatever comes up and just have a positive attitude and go through it with a great mindset and not think of it as just a bunch of games.”
Pickett is two games back from a hamstring injury that he said was “80 to 85” percent after last weekend’s home split with Saint Peter’s. He said it’s better now.
“I’m ready to go,” Pickett said. “I don’t feel any pain. I think I’m 100 percent, so we’ll see how it goes.”
Jalen Pickett of Siena said the team is looking forward to the competition aspect of so many games over a short period of time. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Paul Buckowski/Albany Times UnionAfter Marist, Siena has a home game against Canisius on Wednesday, followed by two more at Alumni Recreation Center against Quinnipiac on Feb. 5 and 6 under the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference’s back-to-back format this season because of the virus. Those could be moved back a day to Feb. 6 and 7 under MAAC guidelines because neither one is on ESPNU.
Even then, Siena would have just two days of rest and preparation before both Canisius and Quinnipiac.
“I think it’s going to be a tough stretch, but it’ll challenge us to see who we are, not only physically, but mentally,” Camper said. “The coaches are doing a great job with that as well with the load management with practice and today we got in the pool, so that was good for our joints and things like that. I think our staff is doing a job with putting us in the best position to have our bodies the closest to 100 percent we can be.”
For the second straight day, Maciariello wondered whether it’s necessary for his team to play the full 20 league games since it’s apparent not all the other MAAC teams are going to reach that mark.
Siena (7-1 overall, 7-1 MAAC) has played eight with the NCAA requiring 13 to be eligible for the NCAA Tournament.
“I do think something that does need to be talked about and I think athletic directors in the conference are talking about is now you have teams that aren’t going to be able to get their 20 games in,” Maciariello said. “For me, I don’t care about the 20 games. As long as we get our 13 games in, I don’t care if we play one team one time and one team no times and another team two times.”
Siena plays another Wednesday game against Canisius on Feb. 17, though the Saints have an open weekend after that.
Kyle Young 'integral' to Siena's success
Maciariello said it’s likely sophomore center Kyle Young will play more against Marist after being taken out of the lineup in favor of Jackson Stormo and getting only one minute against Saint Peter’s on Saturday.
“Probably,” Maciariello said. “I think it depends on this week in practice and prep. But obviously, Kyle Young’s been integral to our success and I think when we have him and Jackson playing at a high level and also can get Denzel (Tchougang) and Harrison (Curry) in the mix, yeah, we need everybody.”
Maciariello pointed out that last year Young and Sammy Friday’s minutes fluctuated behind starter Elijah Burns.
“We go with what’s working and we go with who’s ready, when I judge that,” Maciariello said. “I'm the coach and I’ll figure it out.”
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Siena basketball bracing for five in eight - Times Union
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