JIMMY PATSOS READY FOR THE UNKNOWN
Siena coach talks roster changes, additions
LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. » It’s been just more than three months since the Siena season ended in heartbreak to Iona in the MAAC Tournament final. So that means it’s about five months to the day before the Saints season opens up shop in Jimmy Patsos’ fifth season at the helm.
The head coach said he was “excited” by what the upcoming season will bring, but acknowledges there are a lot of uncertainties after graduating four of the best players in the program’s history.
“I’m A excited, and you can write that,” Patsos told The Record on Sunday. “I’m excited to coach some young guys on a new team. But B, my unknown level is as high as yours. But you’re a writer and I’m the coach of the team.”
The Saints rounded out their Class of 2017 recruiting class with the verbal commitment of guard Christian Bentley. He joins point guard Roman Penn, guard Jordan Horn, guard/forward Manny Camper and forward Prince Oduro, who has yet to officially qualify academically.
Patsos acknowledges that the only truly proven players on the roster are Nico Clareth, the lightening rod player and personality that has a penchant for shooting too much. And then there’s Ashante Shivers, who was a bonafide scorer and rebounder as a freshman last year.
“That’s what’s weird about our situation,” Patsos said. “I don’t have a guy that can play 32 minutes. And I just had four of them. That was the first time I’ve ever done the (Syracuse head coach Jim) Boeheim thing. Like ‘You four play the whole game.’”
Patsos discussed how he’ll rely heavily on Sammy Friday and Evan Fisher at the center position. Friday was solid in just 110 minutes of total game action as a freshman, but played far from polished basketball. Fisher wasn’t a center-focused player last season, as he didn’t live up to his preseason 3-point shooting identity. So that represents a marked shift in his role with the team. Patsos said Fisher has lost weight and has been watching game tape of NBA great Bill Laimbeer this summer.
“His 3-point percentage didn’t work,” Patsos said. “And that’s on me. I told the kid to shoot them. I was the one early. He made seven against (Daeman College). The only problem is that game didn’t count. For Evan to play, it’s going to be at the center position.”
Patsos went so far as to say that Fisher needed to be like Mike Rowley and Greg Stire from UAlbany last season. Good players who set screens and knew where to be on the court. He’s told both Friday and Fisher that he could envision them splitting playing time 50/50.
Patsos has loved what he’s seen from Roman Penn thus far. The point guard joined the program in January, and will be eligible to play this season. He’s shown improvement over that time, and might be the leading candidate to start next season.
“Roman’s been good,” Patsos said. “Roman gets a real thumbs up.”
Thomas Huerter Jr. has been playing backup to Kevin Degnan at the power forward position, though he’ll likely see minutes at the small forward as well. A big x-factor in how that position shakes out is how Oduro plays. Assuming he qualifies, Patsos likes his potential. He likened the situation to that of Brett Bisping, who came to Siena expecting to play the three, but built himself into a clear No. 4.
“Welcome to Brett. Brett had a pretty good career,” Patsos said. “Maybe Manny, Thomas Huerter and Degnan go into that role. Who wants the minutes at the four man?”
The plethora of guards might leave Kadeem Smithen on the outside looking in on a crowded roster. He had offseason surgery so he hasn’t been able to show much in the offseason following a disappointing premier campaign with the Saints. He has two years of eligibility left after transferring from Richmond. Another unknown for Patsos is Khalil Richard, who played very well in limited time last season. He started the season opener last year, but had inconsistent playing time throughout the year.
“Khalil is the kind of guy I don’t know about yet,” Patsos said. He only played four and eight minutes a game. He never played 30.”
The entire team will report by June 24 for summer workouts. So that’s when Patsos and the coaching staff will have a clearer picture of how the roster will play out. Patsos has done a lot of traveling over the summer both working and vacationing. But he’s happy to settle back in and see what this team can do.
“It’s fun,” Patsos said. “But I’m ready.”
Starting lineup prediction:
PG - Roman Penn SG - Nico Clareth SF - Ashante Shivers PF - Kevin Degnan C - Sammy Friday
X-Factor:
Prince Oduro -- The 6-foot-8 forward will be crucial to Siena’s success this season. The Saints lost a lot of rebounding, and Oduro, by all accounts, has potential to fill that void.
Preseason MVP prediction:
Nico Clareth -- The junior had a wake-up call last season when he was asked to take leave from the program. When he came back, he carried the team at times. He has potential to be the best player in the MAAC. The key will be if he chooses to drive to the basket once in a while.
Five things that will happen prediction:
1. Sammy Friday will overtake Evan Fisher as the starting center.
2. Ashante Shivers will be an All-MAAC player.
3. Kadeem Smithen will average fewer than five minutes a game.
4. Siena has a better nonconference record than last year, playing more games at home.
5. The Saints will rely on smaller lineups this season than in years past.