Busting Brackets
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Siena Basketball: In-depth look at sophomore guard Jalen Pickett

By Bryan Mauro

DAYTON, OH - MARCH 20: The Siena Saints celebrate after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes in overtime during the first round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the University of Dayton Arena on March 20, 2009 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
DAYTON, OH - MARCH 20: The Siena Saints celebrate after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes in overtime during the first round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the University of Dayton Arena on March 20, 2009 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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DURHAM, NC – NOVEMBER 13: The Siena Saints prepare for their game against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 13, 2015 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC – NOVEMBER 13: The Siena Saints prepare for their game against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 13, 2015 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Siena Basketball is trying to get back to the top of the MAAC and take down the giants in Iona. Can Jalen Pickett lead the Saints back to the NCAA tournament?

It is not often that fans see a player from MAAC conference have the potential to get drafted in the NBA. To be exact 34 former MAAC players have played in the NBA. Siena Basketball has the next hope for a player to play a meaningful game in the NBA. The Saints are the pride of Loudonville, NY and outside of the mockery that were the last few seasons under former coach Jimmy Patsos, Siena has been a relatively consistent program, especially since the early 2000’s

When former coach Jamion Christian took the Siena job his first order of business was to hit the recruiting trail to find players. Christian and his staff hit the jackpot when they were able to secure the commitment of sophomore Jalen Pickett. The guard is from Rochester, NY but had to spend his last year of high school basketball at SPIRE Academy in Ohio. Once he chose Siena, the guard had a magical season and is working to try and get Siena basketball back on the map. The sophomore Pickett tested the NBA draft waters a season ago, before deciding to come back to college, he received valuable information that will make him an overall better basketball player.

Coach Christian had minimal success and he left Siena after one season, his replacement is former Saint and fellow New Yorker in Carmen Maciariello. The Saints are armed with a dangerous team this season and the new head coach has a player to lean on in Pickett. The guard is going to be relied on this season to be a leader. The new head coach was on the staff last season and is familiar with the roster. The Saints have a bulk of their roster returning from last year and they are hungry to get back to the NCAA tournament. If Pickett lives up to his potential that is a real possibility in Loudonville.