News & notes

Well, that didn't take long.

Last Thursday, Jamion Christian accepted an offer from George Washington University to be their next head basketball coach, leaving Siena after one season, which saw the Saints reach the MAAC semi-finals.

The next day, Siena assistant Carmen Maciariello was named interim coach of the Saints.

Just three days later, the interim tag was removed, and Maciariello, a 2001 graduate of Siena, who played his high school ball at Shenendehowa in the 90's, was formally named the new head coach, becoming the first home grown coach for Siena since the late Bill Kirsch led the then-Indians (1972-82). It took 19 days for Siena administration to select Christian to replace Jimmy Patsos last year.

In the wake of the departures of Shen grad Thomas Huerter, Jr., as well as Khalil Richard, last week, Maciariello will now be tasked with trying to recruit more home grown talent.
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If you thought navigating traffic in downtown Albany on event nights at Times Union Center was crazy before, especially for basketball, just wait until Friday, when the NCAA women's tournament comes to town.

Top seeded Louisville will play Oregon State, while #2 Connecticut, which will be the de facto home team, will take on another Pac-12 school in UCLA in the opener. Both games are scheduled to air on ESPN. While UConn's fans travel well, most folks in the home district will likely be watching either at home or at sports bars, saving on ticket prices.
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Speaking of tickets and Times Union Center, the WWE's Monday Night Raw rolls into town on May 20. Matches will also be taped for the WWE Network exclusive Main Event before the live USA Network broadcast begins at 8 pm (ET).

However, it's going to cost you more for tickets this time. In the past, the lowest price was $15. For whatever reason, be it to defray renovation costs on the arena itself, of plain, old fashioned greed on the part of WWE Chairman/CEO/head lunatic Vince McMahon, the lowest price on the board this time is roughly around $35.

I haven't gone to a WWE main roster event in years, and there are reasons for that. The inflated ticket price adds one more reason.
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As long as we're on the Siena tip, Siena alumnus Edwin Ubiles has left the Albany Patroons to resume his pro career in Puerto Rico. Seems the league there has more money to spend. Ubiles played four seasons on the island before returning stateside to play for Albany last year. The Pats are in 4th place in The Basketball League, and now have to scramble to reset their offense for the rest of the season....