4guysinblazers: What will you miss the most about Siena?

Kyle Downey: Looking back at my four years at Siena I am easily going to miss all the workouts the most, with the team and individually, because thats what I love to do.

4guysinblazers: How important is the fan support in sustaining the Saints home court advantage?

Kyle Downey: Incredibly important. It single handedly won us a couple games this year…. especially the Iona game.

4guysinblazers: The clock ticked down in those final seconds against Loyola, can you describe that emotion?

Kyle Downey: Somewhat relief, because my back was hurting me so bad from pulling a muscle in it the night before, but in the locker room after the game it was a sad proud feeling. Sad that it had come to an end, but extremely proud of what we accomplished this year overall.

4guysinblazers: You transitioned to the professional game while still in school, did you find it any more challenging than balancing school and basketball as a Siena athlete?

Kyle Downey: It was a little more challenging than playing at Siena simply because practice times were usually when I had class so I had to work with my professors a bit more than normal.

4guysinblazers: A lot was made of the negatives the injuries and eligibility issues brought to last year’s team, did you see any positives that came out of having such a limited roster?

Kyle Downey: The main positive was everybody knew their roles immediately. Also, it felt like the chemistry was always there because you had the same guys on the court pretty much the entire game.

4guysinblazers: The chemistry last year’s team had seemed to be truly special, how did that compare with the chemistry on the championship teams you were a part of and what does next year’s team have to do to replicate it?

Kyle Downey: I’m not sure if this type of chemistry can be replicated simply because when you only have nine guys there is something unexplainable on how close everyone feels to a common goal. Every night everyone needs to play well, because if just one person didn’t, it is extremely hard to win.

4guysinblazers: What future career ambitions do you have?

Kyle Downey: I recently have accepted a job as a Financial Planner for AXA Advisors. I’ll be servicing people all over New York State, but also while doing that I am going to balance playing for the Rochester Razorsharks of the PBA next winter.

4guysinblazers: What would you like fans to know about your teammates and fellow graduates Conner, Owen, and Brandon?

Kyle Downey: They are three of the best friends and people you will ever meet.

4guysinblazers: Last question, and we always ask it, have you heard of a more ridiculous name for a fan website than 4guysinblazers?

Kyle Downey: I’m sure there is one out there, but no, I personally havent heard of anything more ridiculous, haha.

Ok Siena fans, here is your chance! As previously announced, Siena Basketball will be holding their first ever Siena Legends Game July, 19th at the Alumni Receation Center. Now is your chance to vote for your favorite Siena players and who you would like to see as the Legends Game starters. Vote from the list of Legends who have confirmed attendance at  this great event. The top 10 vote getters will represent the starters for the two Legends teams. Voting ends May, 31st  Results will be announced on SienaSaints.com.  Let the debate begin, have fun, and vote here:

Legends Voting!

The Legends Game festivities will begin at 5 p.m. on July 19 with a meet and greet session. Special on-court activities are planned in the hour leading up to the featured game which is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Advanced tickets are priced at just $12 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under. They can only be purchased online, by CLICKING HERE. A limited amount of day-of-game tickets will be available for purchase at the event. They are priced at $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.

Talk about the game on twitter with some of Siena’s legends from the past, and find out the latest details about the game by using the hashtag #SienaLegends.

All proceeds from the Legends Game will go toward Saints Alive!, the athletic department’s annual giving program. The highly-anticipated event is scheduled to tip-off at 5 p.m. with a pre-game meet and greet. Contests will begin at 6 p.m. with the featured game scheduled to tip at 7 p.m.

The attendance figure is a significant dip from 2010-11′s attendance figures when the team drew 114,383 fans, in 15 games as opposed to 14 this past season, for an average of 7,626 a game, 68th in the nation.

Despite the decline, Siena still was still tops in MAAC attendance and the only team from the conference to enter into the NCAA top 100. Iona was the closest conference member to Siena, with an average attendance of 2,476. As a conference the MAAC finished 23rd out of 32 with an average attendance figure of 2,081.

The MAAC Conference tournament also took a significant hit in attendance in its first year in Springfield, MA. The tournament averaged 2,048 fans per session to finish 24th out of 31 Division I conference tournaments. Notably, the America East Tournament, with an average session attendance of 2,574, outdrew the MAAC this season. This is a significant decline in attendance for the MAAC which saw an average of 3,415 fans per session in 2011 (The America East drew 2,193).

Ubiles made Siena history earlier in the year when he became the first Saint to appear in an NBA game when he checked in during the second quarter of the Wizards matchup against the Nets on March 21st. During his 10 day stay with the Wizards, Edwin saw action in four of six possible contests. His strongest performance came on the 24th vs the Hawks when Ubiles scored 10 points on 4-8 shooting to go along with 2 rebounds. Over his four games of work, Ubiles averaged 13 minutes, 3.5 points, and 2.5 rebounds a game.

Ubiles, a 6-6, 204-pound forward was acquired by Dakota in a trade with the Bakersfield Jam on draft day.. He was fourth in the league in scoring averaging 19.9 points on .503 shooting to go along with 5.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.0 steal in 41 games (41 starts).

“Edwin had a great year and has the tools and skill to be an NBA player,” said Wizards Head Coach Nate Bjorkgren. “He is a top rookie prospect that has a bright future in front of him.”

During the preseason Ubiles was invited to the camp of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors and was one of the last camp invitees released.

Ubiles played for the Saints from 2006-2010 and is number three all-time in points scored with 1,939. He led the team in scoring in both his sophomore and junior seasons. His 577 points (17 ppg) in his sophomore season ranks as the 8th highest point total in a season. During a matchup that season vs Loyola he scored 37 points, the 9th best single game total in Saints history. Ubiles was more than just a great scorer, he was a terrific all around player. His 560 career rebounds is 18th all-time while his 273 career assists rank 16th all time. To add some icing to the cake he is 10th all time in blocks with 95 and 9th all time in steals with 157.

Alex told 4guysinblazers “It’s just another great opportunity. I am very excited to head there and continue playing. It will be a fun new experience”.  Franklin will join the Indians who are currently the league’s number one team, just in time for the playoffs. The team will wrap up the regular season on Thursday and Franklin is expected to join the team the following week.

After beginning the season playing for Vichy of the Pro B league in France where he led the team in scoring and rebounding,  Franklin moved on to play with Huesca in the LEB Gold league in Spain where he became the league’s 5th leading scorer averaging 16.2 points per game and 1st in the league in steals with 2.5 per game at the conclusion of the regular season.

Alex Franklin played for Siena from 2006-2010. His class of 2010 along with Ronald Moore and Edwin Ubiles was the winningest class in program history. Alex ranks 5th al time in scoring with 1,730 points and 4th all time in rebounds with 923 over his career. He also ranks 9th all time in blocks with 99. He played on teams which won three consecutive MAAC regular season and post season tournament championships. Included in those 3 NCAA appearances are wins over Vanderbilt in 2008 and Ohio State in 2009. He was twice all MAAC second team in 2008 and 2009, and voted the MAAC player of the year in 2010 as well as MAAC tourney MVP. Alex was also named to the NABC District 1 2nd team in 2009 and it’s first team in 2010.

The award should come as no surprise. Hymes is coming off a stellar freshman campaign in which he scored 415 points, 13.4 per game, the second highest total in school history. Hymes also led the team in assists with a 3.7 per game average.

Hymes was signed as a backup to Saints point guard Rakeem Brookens. The Saints had not watched Hymes in person prior to the signing, but were referred to him by an assistant coach on the staff of MAAC foe St Peter’s. The signing proved to be one of the best and biggest surprises of the 2011 recruiting class as Brookens went down in the preseason with a back injury that cost him the entire season, forcing Hymes into the starting role.

Hymes electric speed and intense competitive nature made him a quick fan favorite. Some of his season highlights included a 30 point performance against Mount St Mary’s and a phenomenal block at the Mass Mutual Center versus UMass.

Hymes suffered a knee injury in the season finale versus Canisius, but came back a week later to help propel the Saints past a favored Manhattan squad in an overtime thriller in the MAAC Tournament quarterfinals.

Prior to today’s award Hymes had already received recognition for his season by earning Freshman Mid-Major All-American and All-MAAC Rookie Team honors.

The Billy Harrell Rebounder Award                         OD Anosike

The Dan Cunha Defensive Player Award               Owen Wignot

 The Jim Sullivan Most Improved Player                 Brandon Walters

 The Siena Newcomer Award                                Evan Hymes

The Siena Hustle Award                                        Rob Poole

The Fr. Benjamin Kuhn Student Athlete Award     OD Anosike

The 2011-12 Doc Marcelle Most Valuable Player   Kyle Downey

 Coach B  Unsung Hero Award                               Conner Fenlon

What can Siena fans look forward to from Ryan?

 “He is competitive and plays the game in control and at a comfortable pace. You will not see Ryan panic. He is a lead by example type of player and truly a Team first guy who is more concerned with the W and making the right play, which often times means passing up a jump shot for a more open teammate. A prolific shooter. I do not want to put huge expectations on Ryan, but he has a textbook jump shot that any player at any level would love to have. Siena fans will enjoy watching his range and also his demeanor”.

 How do you see Siena as a fit for Ryan?

 “He is a great fit. His ability as a shooter will open up the floor as defenses will have to stretch to guard him, thus opening up more inside opportunities for OD to continue his dominance around the basket. Siena already has a great young PG, It will be exciting to see him drive and kick out to Ryan”.  

 What was your role and what input did you have in helping Ryan make his decision?

 “Ryan and I spoke in depth about Siena. The young man did his research first on Siena months ago. He knew I had played there and he use to always give Siena love back when Siena was upsetting teams in the tourney annually.  I caught wind of his recruitment from Siena from his brother Vince Oliver, who I coach with at Loyola here in LA.. Ryan and I spoke often and I was able to give him a first hand account of what it means to be a student-athlete at Siena. I also told him about when you Win at Siena there is nothing like it. The City becomes that much more excited about the Wins. Very few Mid Major Programs in the country rival Siena in that regard. That is where I could give him additional insight. . They had a great home visit out here in LA and I feel his family felt very comfortable after that. It was family decision. I just was able to give my experiences to help answer any lingering questions. Obviously Ryan had a great on campus visit as well. Coach B and his staff did all the rest and a phenomenal job in his recruitment”

Your thoughts on his progress from prior to, through his injury and recovery, and up to where he is today.

 “Ryan is dedicated. The staff here in LA at Loyola often say if we had him his last year we would have won a State Title. The summer before his senior year he played in a Summer League game on a torn ACL, no one knew at the time. I believe he went either 9/9 or 9/10 from behind the 3 point line. I say that to let you know the type of kid he is. He will play through pain. Unfortunately he lost that season to surgery and then worked his tail-off to get back and ready for his prep year. I would say our loss of him that senior year is Now Siena’s gain, because I am confident he would have had NUMEROUS offers just like this year after Prep. He got himself ready after surgery to have immediate impact at NMH. He is that type of kid. His brother Vince along with myself will get him ready for his freshman year. Ryan knows its jump to the next level and he must come in prepared he is not expecting anything to be handed to him. Siena has some great talent on the perimeter. It will be a nice addition to have Ryan”.

 Finally any other thoughts on Ryan as a person and a student athlete.

 “Ryan is leader a very friendly kind young man. His parents would have it no other way. Ryan the basketball player is one thing. I am more impressed with Ryan the young man. Respectable, dependable with a great sense of humor that people gravitate towards. If you remove basketball from the equation…. He is still a tremendous addition to the Siena community as a whole. I could not be prouder that he chose my Alma Mater to continue his growth as a student and as an athlete”.

“Ryan is a great match with the school, basketball program, coaching staff, student body and academic program at Siena and with the City of Albany”.

In committing to Siena, Oliver became the fifth member of Carroll’s NMH team to commit to a Division I program joining Evan Cummins (Harvard), Ethan O’Day (Vermont), Tommy Carpenter (Dartmouth) and Spike Albrecht (Michigan). Carroll described his role in helping his players get to the next level.

“We try to put our players in a position where there are no wrong decisions in terms of their college options and then we give the players and their families the information to make the right choice. In Ryan’s case, he undoubtedly made the “right choice””.

Coach Carroll spoke highly of his player and explained what Oliver will bring to Siena on the court.

“He is a highly efficient scorer and answers the bell in the most dramatic moments of the game. He plays his best against the toughest opponents and is very clever scoring off the bounce, but it his 3 point shooting the separates Ryan from the other scorers. He has great pace on his jump shot and he has great range. He can shoot it from deep”.

Carroll who also serves as Senior Assistant Director of Admission at NMH also knows first hand of Oliver’s capabilities off the court as well.

“Ryan is an incredible kid, who has represented NMH on a number of admission panels and has presented to prospective students and their families. He has also been a tour guide at NMH. He is a great kid that will represent Siena College and the basketball program at the highest standard”.

Hymes was signed as a backup to Saints point guard Rakeem Brookens. The Saints had not watched Hymes in person prior to the signing, but were referred to him by an assistant coach on the staff of MAAC foe St Peter’s. The signing proved to be one of the best and biggest surprises of the 2011 recruiting class as Brookens went down in the preseason with a back injury that cost him the entire season, forcing Hymes into the starting role.

Hymes went on to lead the team in assists, 3.7 a game, and finished second in scoring with a healthy average of 13.4 points a game. Hymes electric speed and intense competitive nature made him a quick fan favorite. Some of his season highlights included a 30 point performance against Mount St Mary’s and a phenomenal block at the Mass Mutual Center versus UMass.

Hymes suffered a knee injury in the season finale versus Canisius, but came back a week later to help propel the Saints past a favored Manhattan squad in an overtime thriller in the MAAC Tournament quarterfinals.

Congratulations Evan on another well deserved honor.

Here is the full Collegeinsider.com 2012 Mid-Major All America Team:

Lawrence Alexander 6-2 North Dakota State
Julius Brown 5-10 Toledo
Justin Burrell 5-8 Holy Cross
Johnny Dee 6-0 San Diego
Ben Dickinson 6-9 Binghamton
Quincy Ford 6-8 Northeastern
Trey Freeman 6-2 Campbell
Dylan Garrity 6-2 Sacramento State
Derrick Gordon 6-2 Western Kentucky
Juan’ya Green 6-3 Niagara
Ty Greene 6-2 USC Upstate
Stephan Hicks 6-5 Cal State Northridge
Evan Hymes 5-8 Siena
Lucky Jones 6-5 Robert Morris
Roosevelt Jones 6-4 Butler
Chavaughn Lewis 6-5 Marist
Four McGlynn 6-2 Vermont
Shonn Miller 6-7 Cornell
Saah Nimley 5-8 Charleston Southern
Tahj Tate 6-4 Delaware State
Bernard Thompson 6-3 Florida Gulf Coast
Jarvis Threatt 6-2 Delaware
Seth Tuttle 6-8 Northern Iowa
Kyle Vinales 6-1 Central Connecticut State
Brad Waldow 6-9 Saint Mary’s