Siena Basketball alumni prepare for “The Tournament”
LATHAM » Some of Siena basketball’s finest are returning home and forming Saints Alive, a team designed to compete in “The Basketball Tournament” or as it is known to its fans, TBT.
“It’s so fun just to share the court with these guys again,” said former Siena stand- out and 1000 point scorer Ryan Rossiter. “We had such a great four years together. To be able to do the same plays we did in college, and to create new ones, new memories, funny moments, and the simple stuff down in the locker room together. It’s a lot of stuff we can just have fun with.”
TBT is self proclaimed as the “most intense basketball competition in the world” with the final standing team earning themselves a pretty $2 million cash prize.
“One of the reasons we feel we have an advantage going into a tournament-like setting, which we are so accustomed to playing in, is because of the chemistry we have on and off the court,” said O.D Anosike.
Saints Alive is accustomed to tournaments. Sienna participated in the NCAA tournament in 2008,2009, and 2010, making it into the second round in 2008 and 2009. Rossiter was on the roster for all three, Kenny Hasbrouck for 2008 and 2009, and Anosike competed in 2010.
“It’s so fun just to share the court with these guys again,” said Rossiter. “We had such a great four years together so to be able to do the same plays we did in college, and to create new ones, new memories, funny mo-
ments, and the simple stuff down in the locker room together. It’s a lot of stuff we can just have fun with.”
Teams are selected per region, 18 teams per region ( Northeast, Midwest, South, and West) with seeding being determined as follows: the first seeded team is the previous region champ, the top nine seeds are the most popular teams in the region as of June 1.
Saints Alive earned themselves the ninth seeded, just making the cut as one of the regions most popular teams.
“The fans are definitely excited,” said Rossiter. “We have always had an incredible fan base that has supported us through wins and losses.”
Saints Alive will be made up of Siena Basketball favorites like Rossiter, Anosike, and Hasbrouck. Currently listed alongside them on the roster are Ronald Moore, Marquis Wright, Edwin Ubiles, Tyquan Stroman, and Javion Ogunyemi.
“It’s really a lot of fun,” said Anosike. “Playing with Ryan, Kenny, and Ronald, guys who kind of built this place, it’s going to be a lot
of fun.”
According to Rossiter, however, the bench may be a little more open than the roster online indicates.
“We had a solid eight,” said Rossiter. “But some injuries and some other things -- we are kind of looking at five or six right now. Just have to grind it out and see what happens.”
No one is concerned about the shorter bench.
“We’re used to the tournament like setting,” said Anosike. “We are so aware of how to handle our body through a tournament setting, so that part won’t hurt us too much.” Rossiter agreed.
“Me and [O.D] were playing 38 a night when we were at Siena and I think the TBT is only 36 so it’s more like a vacation,” said Rossiter. “We’ve been up here and we’ve been able to play with the guys a lot so I think we will be alright.”
What makes The Tournament, sponsored by ESPN, more interesting is that the players, coaches, boosters, and GM’s aren’t the only ones who get a cut of the $2 million award given to the winner, but also the fans.
Ten percent of the winnings go to the winning team’s top 201 fans, giving fans even more of a reason to root for Saints Alive.
“We’re definitely here to have fun,” said Anosike when asked about the prize money. “At the same time there is a lot at stake. We definitely want to win.”
“I think right after we win I have to fly out anyway,” said Hasbrouck when asked how the guys will celebrate with their cuts if they win.
The Saints Alive first game of the tournament will be broadcast on ESPN3 Saturday, July 21 from LIU Brooklyn at 8:40 pm. The Saints pulled the Brooklyn based Team Fancy for the first round.
Both Rossiter and Anosike are from the area, so the match up could turn out to be a homecoming of sorts for the natives.
“Being able to go home and play in Brooklyn, against a really good New York team, in front of a lot of home people for us, is going to be a lot of fun,” said Anosike.
No matter how the tournament pans out for the Siena alum, their pride for their alma mater will never splinter.
“We’re wearing Siena on our chest,” said Anosike. “When I was here we had great success and we had great memories. We feel like we built this place. We take ownership of this place.” Hasbrouck concurred. “It’s my blood,” said Hasbrouck. “Every time I come in here I try and represent Siena. I try and talk to the young guys. I tell everybody in the world about Siena. I wear my jersey every summer. It’s part of me.”