For the first time in 4 years, the Siena men's basketball team will not be the top seed in the MAAC Tournament.

Instead, the Saints could be anywhere from the 5th to 7th seed. 

How?  Well, this is quite confusing - but I'm here to help.

Siena's final 2 games are @ Fairfield on Friday followed by the home finale' on Sunday against Marist. 

The Saints need to win their last 2 league games to assure themselves of a top-6 finish and a 1st Round MAAC Tournament bye. 

That's as easy as it gets. 

 

There are a variety of other scenarios in which Siena could finish 6th, and even as high as 5th, but they would need some help.

Here we go - buckle your seat belts - you might need an abacus to figure it all out. (Scenarios provided by the Siena Athletic Communications):

  • Siena could climb as high as the No. 5 seed if they win their last two games, AND Loyola gets swept on its Western New York trip.
    • The simplest road to the No. 5 seed in this scenario would be Rider finishing higher than Saint Peter’s in the MAAC standings.
    • If Rider and Saint Peter’s finish in a tie in this scenario, Niagara would have to finish ahead of Manhattan in the final MAAC standings for the Saints to get the No. 5 seed.
    • If Rider and Saint Peter’s finish in a tie, and Niagara and Manhattan finish in a tie, a coin flip would determine the No. 5 and No. 6 seed.
  • If Siena loses either of its remaining two games, it cannot obtain the No. 5 seed.
  • If the Saints lose to Fairfield and defeat Marist, the simplest way to get the No. 6 seed would be for Canisius to lose its final two games.
    • Another possibility would be for Canisius to beat Manhattan AND lose to Loyola, AND have Loyola defeat Niagara, AND have Saint Peter's lose its final two games, AND have Manhattan and Marist finish in a tie in the MAAC standings, AND win a coin flip. 
  • If Siena defeats Fairfield and loses to Marist, the road to the No. 6 seed is a lot easier.
    • Canisius would simply have to lose one of its last two games.
loading...
  • How's this for the ultimate back door? If Siena loses out, it could still get the No. 6 seed - in theory.
    • Canisius would also have to lose its last two games, AND Loyola would have to win its two games.
    • Saint Peter's would have to lose its final two games, AND Manhattan and Marist would have to finish in a tie in the MAAC standings.
      • In this scenario, a coin flip would determine if Siena or Canisius got the No. 6 seed.
      • The loser of the coin flip would play Friday night.
  • All other scenarios would lead to Siena getting the No. 7 seed and having to play in the First Round of the MAAC Tournament next Friday night.

Got it?  There will be a quiz on this material tomorrow morning at 9:00am!  So study up!

More From 104.5 THE TEAM