Siena’s men’s basketball team is set to open its 2027‑28 season on November 10 at the University of Dayton Arena, where it will meet the Flyers in a non‑conference showdown. The game marks the Saints’ first appearance at the venue since their last visit in 2009 and promises a clash of early‑season momentum.
The arena holds special significance for Siena, having witnessed two of the program’s most memorable NCAA Tournament victories. In 2002 the Saints edged Alcorn State 81‑77, and in 2009 they survived a double‑overtime battle to defeat Ohio State 74‑72.
Dayton, guided by coach Anthony Grant, has established itself as a consistent winner, posting five straight 20‑win seasons and finishing the 2025‑26 campaign at 25‑12. Although the Flyers fell to VCU in the A‑10 championship, they advanced to the National Invitation Tournament quarterfinals.
Siena’s returning starters, Amael L’Etang and Jaiun Simon, will again contribute 11.9 and 5.6 points per game respectively. Adding to the roster, Quinnipiac transfer Grant Randall, who previously faced Siena in Metro Conference play, is expected to bolster the frontcourt.
The Saints’ season begins with a matchup against Bryant on November 2 and will include an exhibition against Syracuse in mid‑October. These early contests provide a preview of the team’s chemistry before the November 10 showdown with Dayton.
Should Siena successfully defend its Metro Conference title, the team could earn another invitation to Dayton Arena in March, where the first‑round games of the NCAA Tournament are held. Such a return would underscore the venue’s continued role in the program’s postseason narrative.
A Reunion of Roots
Siena’s athletic director, John D’Argenio, is a 1982 graduate of the University of Dayton, creating a personal link between the two institutions. His presence adds a layer of familiarity as the Saints prepare to revisit the arena that has shaped moments of both programs’ histories.