June 25, 2008

The Siena men's basketball team will take on National Champion Kansas Tuesday, January 6 at Allen Field House in Lawrence, Kans. It marks the first time Siena will play the reigning national champion since losing at Syracuse 74-61 during the 2003-2004 season.

The game adds to what has inarguably become the most challenging schedule in Siena men's basketball history. The Saints are already slated to play in the Old Spice Classic November 27-30 in Orlando. In addition to Siena, the Classic features Maryland, Georgetown, Oklahoma State, Michigan State, Tennessee, Gonzaga and Wichita State, and is being dubbed the preeminent preseason event of the year.

Siena is additionally scheduled to host 2008 NCAA participants Cornell and Boise State at Times Union Center along with a yet-to-be-determined ESPNU BracketBusters opponent, cross-town rival UAlbany and cross-state rival UBuffalo. The Saints will travel to 2008 NCAA participant St. Joseph's and still have a road game to schedule, potentially against another high profile opponent.

Kansas finished the 2007-2008 season with a 37-3 overall record after defeating Memphis 75-68 to capture its third NCAA Championship and fifth overall All-Time Championship. The Jayhawks lost all five starters, two to graduation and underclassmen Mario Chalmers, Brandon Rush and Darrell Arthur to the NBA Draft.

Siena returns all five starters from last year's team which captured the MAAC Championship and advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament with an 83-62 win over SEC power Vanderbilt.