Siena Gets Set for Final Non-conference Game

After a little bit of a break for the holidays, Siena is back in action on Saturday as Cal Poly comes to town. The Saints are coming off a three-point loss at Holy Cross, a marked improvement from their first meeting with the Crusaders this season; an abnormal 11am start on a Sunday at Mohegan Sun.

The absence of Sammy Friday looms large for this Siena team as it tries to adapt without their big man inside. Friday is out for at least a month with a torn meniscus. The x-factor, not only to help make up for the loss of Friday, but for the overall improvement of the team is Elijah Burns. The La Salle product and Troy native is waiting for a decision from the NCAA on his eligibility for the rest of this season. As of a couple of weeks ago, Burns is officially a grad transfer from Notre Dame, but because he played in four games at the start of the season, he is an unusual case for the grad transfer rule and the NCAA. There is no timetable of expectation for an answer on Siena's waiver to get Burns cleared to play immediately.

Siena head coach Jamion Christian joined the guys on Big Board Sports Thursday morning ahead of a cool event the Saints are starting this weekend with an Autism Awareness Game.