Duke And Siena Set For NCAA Tournament Clash In Greenville Duke will face the Siena Saints in the NCAA tournament on Thursday, marking the Blue Devils’ first game of the postseason. The matchup pits a heavily favored Duke team against a Siena squad that has shown significant improvement this season. Siena, coached by former Syracuse star Gerry McNamara, finished third in the MAAC with a 23-11 record and won its conference tournament, a marked contrast to their 14-18 campaign last year. Siena’s roster features a deep rotation with several key contributors. Gavin Doty, a 6-5 sophomore, leads the team with 17.9 points per game and 7 rebounds, while senior Justice Shoats averages 13.2 points, 4.4 assists, and 1.4 steals. Brendan Coyle, a 6-7 senior, excels as a rebounder with 10.3 boards per game, and freshman Francis Folefac, a 6-7/245 lb. forward, provides inside presence. Tasman Goodrick, a 6-10/230 lb. junior from Australia, adds versatility to the rotation. The Saints’ offensive approach is distinct, relying heavily on mid-range shooting rather than three-pointers. They score just 22% of their points from beyond the arc, ranking 357th nationally in three-point percentage. Their pace is among the slowest in the country, with Siena averaging just 67.7 points per game allowed defensively. The team’s man-to-man defense has been effective, holding opponents to 47.9% shooting at the rim in their last 10 games. Siena’s strategy includes pairing Folefac with senior guard Riley Mulvey, a 7-0/240 lb. player, to create a formidable inside presence. However, their slow tempo could be a liability against Duke’s fast-paced style. The Blue Devils, known for their ability to stretch the shot clock, may exploit Siena’s methodical approach.#duke_blue_devils #siena_saints #gerry_mcnamara #gavin_doty #justice_shoats
