Siena Saints Heading to NCAA Tournament for First Time Since 2010

Siena University's basketball team, the Saints, are set to face off against Duke Blue Devils in the Round of 64.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 8:20am

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After winning the MAAC conference title, the Siena Saints are heading to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010. Led by former Syracuse star Gerry McNamara, the Saints will take on the top-ranked Duke Blue Devils in the opening round. Siena is a private, Franciscan liberal arts university located in Loudonville, New York, just north of Albany.

Why it matters

Siena's return to the NCAA Tournament after a 16-year drought is a significant accomplishment for the small private university. The Saints will have a chance to pull off a historic upset against college basketball powerhouse Duke, which would put the program and the city of Loudonville on the national map.

The details

The Saints, who compete in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), defeated top-ranked Merrimack College 64-54 in the MAAC tournament final to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. This will be Siena's 7th appearance in the Big Dance, with their last trip coming in 2010 under former head coach Fran McCaffery. McNamara, a former Syracuse star, is in his first season as Siena's head coach and has led the team to a 23-11 record this year.

  • Siena last made the NCAA Tournament in 2010.
  • The Saints defeated Merrimack College on March 12, 2026 to win the MAAC title and earn an automatic bid.
  • Siena will face Duke in the Round of 64 on March 19, 2026.

The players

Gerry McNamara

Siena's head coach and former Syracuse basketball star.

Fran McCaffery

Siena's former head coach who led the team to the NCAA Tournament in 2010.

Duke Blue Devils

The top-ranked college basketball team that Siena will face in the NCAA Tournament's opening round.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The winner of the Siena-Duke matchup will advance to face the winner of the game between the 8 and 9 seeds in the next round.

The takeaway

Siena's return to the NCAA Tournament after a long drought is a testament to the program's resilience and the leadership of head coach Gerry McNamara. While they face an uphill battle against the mighty Duke Blue Devils, the Saints have a chance to pull off a historic upset and put their small university on the national stage.