Siena has lost 3 of their top players heading into this season, leaving the bench guys and transfers to have to step up this year. Similar to us, they lost two super seniors and their former top scorer is now starting at Oklahoma.
They're coming fresh off a tight win over Holy Cross, surviving a late 11-1 charge from a team picked 4th in the Patriot League preseason poll.
Players to look out for: Michael Eley (So) and Giovanni Emejuru (So)
As a freshman, Eley was an asset off the bench, averaging 9.4 PPG, though inconsistent shooting plagued him and kept him out of the regular starting 5. Now, he has his chance to lead the team in his sophomore season, and got off to a great start vs Holy Cross with 24 points, 3-7 from 3, and adding 11 boards. He looks shifty from the tape, and has a pure stroke on his 3, so he could provide some challenge on the perimeter (Plus, he had a nice one handed dunk late so he has that in the arsenal)
Emejuru, a transfer from Sam Houston, will pose a great challenge for Quinn throughout the game, and if Quinn isn't careful, could get him into foul trouble. He is a big man, with the physical strength to overpower Quinn and could see him being a bit of a pest. His connection with Eley was shown in their first game of the season as well, so look for that duo (with a splash of Tekin's quickness inside) to cause some trouble
How Richmond can win:
Stop Eley, especially from deep. He's a major threat and deserves our best defensive attention. Would love to see Hunt and/or Dji matched up on him throughout to give him some trouble and make him distribute. Eley is far less efficient inside the arc.
Rebounding will be key as well in this one. They're a shorter lineup, so we have to win on the boards, and they will miss shots so we have to capitalize on those chances.
