Siena Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for Saints

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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DAYTON, OH – MARCH 22: The Siena Saints huddle before their game against the Louisville Cardinals during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament at the University of Dayton Arena on March 22, 2009 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

What will the Saints’ rotation look like?

With Pickett and Camper locking down two starting spots, the hope is that Carey and Harris, Jr. can give the Saints three big guards measuring between 6’4 and 6’6. The final starting spot will likely go to a bigger forward, with the two most likely candidates being Friday IV or the newcomer Burns. If this ends up being the starting five for Siena, it could be the strongest starting unit in the conference, especially if Harris, Jr., and Burns are as good as advertised.

Like a lot of teams at the mid-major level, the question mark for the Saints is the strength of their bench. The starters are likely to play a big bulk of the minutes. Maciariello will likely use his guards strategically so that one of Carey, Pickett, or Harris, Jr. is on the floor at all times, as Sutherland, Hein and perhaps Ratliff are the only reserves poised to see backcourt minutes.

Either Burns or Friday IV will be the first big off the bench but behind that Sutherland and Ratliff could also see minutes at a forward spot, but Young being able to spell the big men would be a big addition to the Siena bench, because any rest for a starting five that will see upwards of 30-plus minutes per game is a plus.