Siena 'doing everything' to get Chandler back for MAAC tournament

Siena says it's working with NCAA to resolve 'eligibility question' for star player Antonio Chandler before quarterfinal game.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Siena University is 'exhausting every available resource' to enable men's basketball player Antonio Chandler to participate in this weekend's Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championships in Atlantic City, athletic director John D'Argenio said in a prepared statement. Chandler, a 6-foot-6, 215-pound graduate forward, was held out of Siena's final two regular-season games due to an 'eligibility question' that the school is working with the NCAA to resolve.

Why it matters

Chandler had been playing well down the stretch, recording double-doubles against the top two seeds in the MAAC tournament. His absence would be a significant loss for Siena, which is preparing to face defending champion Mount St. Mary's in the quarterfinals.

The details

Siena is exploring options, including potentially pursuing a temporary restraining order, to allow Chandler to play in the MAAC tournament. The school has declined to discuss the exact nature of the eligibility question. Chandler, 24, is in his seventh year of college at his fourth school, having spent the 2023-24 season at the NAIA University of Jamestown in North Dakota.

  • Chandler was held out of Siena's final two regular-season games due to the eligibility issue.
  • Siena will face Mount St. Mary's in the MAAC tournament quarterfinals on Saturday, March 8, 2026.

The players

Antonio Chandler

A 6-foot-6, 215-pound graduate forward for the Siena men's basketball team who has been a key contributor, recording double-doubles against the top two seeds in the MAAC tournament in his last two games before being held out due to an 'eligibility question'.

John D'Argenio

The athletic director at Siena University who issued a statement saying the school is 'exhausting every available resource' to resolve Chandler's eligibility status and ensure he can compete in the MAAC tournament.

Gerry McNamara

The head coach of the Siena men's basketball team, who has declined to discuss the exact nature of the eligibility question surrounding Chandler.

Justice Shoats

A senior guard on the Siena men's basketball team who said the team is 'not too happy' about Chandler's situation but is 'expecting him to go down and play' in the MAAC tournament.

Donny Lind

The head coach of the Mount St. Mary's men's basketball team, Siena's opponent in the MAAC tournament quarterfinals, who said the Mountaineers will prepare for Chandler to play on Saturday.

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What they’re saying

“We are exhausting every available resource to resolve Antonio's eligibility status. Our focus remains squarely on ensuring he has the opportunity to compete in the MAAC Tournament this weekend. He has worked incredibly hard for this moment, and we are doing everything in our power to ensure he can join his teammates on the court. Above all, our priority is Antonio.”

— John D'Argenio, Athletic Director, Siena University (Times Union)

“We're not too happy about his situation, what's going on, but we really don't know too much on it. We definitely are expecting him to go down and play and he's a big part of what we've built so far this year. We're going to go down there and treat it how it is. If he plays, he plays. If he doesn't, he's still going to be with us on our sideline, still continuing to fuel up our guys and help us do what we've got to do.”

— Justice Shoats, Senior Guard, Siena Men's Basketball (Times Union)

“Antonio's a good player. He'd been playing really well down the stretch. When you go through the personnel with our guys, they've got to know there's a chance he could be out there.”

— Donny Lind, Head Coach, Mount St. Mary's Men's Basketball (Times Union)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Antonio Chandler to play in the MAAC tournament quarterfinal game on Saturday.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the challenges student-athletes can face with eligibility issues, even late in their college careers. Siena is doing everything in its power to resolve Chandler's status and get him on the court, underscoring the importance of his contributions to the team's success this season.