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SMITHFIELD, RI – Reigning Metro Conference Champion Siena Basketball officially begins the Nevada Smith Era when the Saints open 2026-27 regular season action at Bryant Monday night at 8 p.m. at the Chace Athletic Center.
 
Jon Wallach and Mason Stalph have the call on ESPN+. The “Voice of the Saints” Emmanuel Berbari and former Saint Conner Fenlon ’12 will have the radio call of the action locally in the Capital Region on JAMZ 96.3 FM and online at jamz963.com, with pregame coverage beginning at 7:30 p.m.
 
Siena tips off the program’s 86th season and 51st at the Division I level looking to build off last season’s conference championship and NCAA Tournament appearance under the direction of their new head coach. Named the 20th head coach in program history on April 1, Smith and the Saints have lofty expectations to hang another banner this time next year. Predicted to finish third in the Metro Conference Preseason Poll, Siena offered an early glimpse at what may be in store this season in a narrow 81-76 setback in an exhibition thriller against ACC foe Syracuse two weeks ago.
 
The Saints enter college basketball’s opening night having won six of their last seven regular season openers including four straight. Following three consecutive season openers at MVP Arena, Siena is set to open their campaign on the road for the first time since 2022-23. The Saints are just 34-51 all-time in road openers, including 17-33 at the Division I level.
 
Bryant is looking to improve in Year Two under one-time Siena Head Coach Jamion Christian, who led the Saints during the 2018-19 season. The Bulldogs finished 9-22 a season ago, including 5-11 in the America East. Bryant was predicted to finish fifth (nine teams) according to the America East Preseason Poll, with Keegan Harvey earning Preseason All-America East honors.
 
Siena and Bryant meet for just the sixth time in a series which only began back in 2015, shortly after the Bulldogs elevation to the Division I level. The Saints have captured four of the first five meetings, including all three in Rhode Island. The programs open against each other for the second straight season, after Siena prevailed 82-66 in last season’s opener at MVP Arena.
 
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