Saints are better with Wright on the floor
Learned valuable lesson about foul trouble in last week’s meeting
lOUDOnVIllE >> Marquis Wright had a tough time watching the last seven minutes of the game against Iona from the bench.
Siena’s freshman point guard fouled out, with the Saints leading by four points. But with Wright on the bench, the Gaels finished the game on a 22-9 run and won 87-78.
Wright has fouled out four times this season, all Siena losses. “I hate fouling out,” he said. That stat alone may show how critical Wright has been to the Saints’ success, but how about these.
Among true freshman, Wright leads the country in assists per game (5.8), is fourth in steals per game (2.2) and seventh in minutes played per game (34.2).
He also leads the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in assists and steals and in six conference contests, he’s averaging 7.7 assists per game.
Wright also hit the game-winning shot against St. Bonaventure in November.
“I’m very pleased with Marquis,” said Siena coach Jimmy Patsos.
The Saints ( 3- 3, 7- 10) will need Wright to continue his playing well this weekend, with two road games against the teams that were picked at the top of the MAAC, in Manhattan and Iona. Siena takes on the preseason favorite Jaspers (5- 1, 12- 3) tonight, while a rematch with the Gaels (5- 1, 8-7) awaits on Sunday.
“We need to said Wright.
Patsos would like to see how his team stacks up against the conference’s top team and how they respond to a rematch with the No. 2 team in the preseason poll, one week following a game they saw slip away at home.
“You have to beat the best teams if you want to compete,” he said.
Patsos indicated he may mix up the starting lineup, for the first time since inserting Brett Bisping into
pick
it up,” the starting five, down at the Old Spice Classic. Sophomore Ryan Oliver may start tonight, in place of freshman Lavon Long. Oliver has been working a lot individually, during the break from classes.
“With classes off, the only thing we have to do really is improve as a team in practice,” Oliver said. “I’ve been taking advantage of the free time I have, getting in the gym.”
Long started the season playing terrific, but has had some issues with fouling and Patsos thought bringing him off the bench may give the team another spark, while also allowing Long to get into more of a flow.
“He’s hitting a wall as a freshman, so sometimes you have to change it up,” said Patsos.
Oliver has started twice this season, against Cornell and Saint Joseph’s, but is still averaging just 11.6 minutes per game. In the most recent game against Iona, he played 25 minutes, scored nine points and grabbed a team and careerhigh six rebounds.
“It’s a good opportunity,” Oliver said of potentially starting. “I just want to come in and give energy. I want to be able to come in defend, rebound and make open shots.”
Manhattan may be without leading scorer George Beamon, who is dealing with a shoulder issue.
In their most recent game, Marist took them to overtime, but the Jaspers got 33 points from Michael Alvarado to post a 86-79 victory.
Manhattan has already won eight road games, winning at La Salle and at South Carolina, and there is a lot of talent on the roster.
“(Coach) Steve Masiello’s done a tremendous job,” said Patsos, whose Loyola ( Md.) team lost to Manhattan in last year’s MAAC quarterfinals.
The Saints have picked it up on defense, allowing just 63.8 points per game over their past six contests, winning four of those games.
“Our defense has been good,” Patsos said. “Our guys are playing hard and playing together.”
As the season has moved along, Wright has felt more comfortable in a leadership position for this group.
“I feel like I’m getting better at speaking up to everybody on the team, speaking in practice and in games and actually running the team,” he said.
Wright has done a little bit of everything, but he’s like to see his offense come along, despite already averaging 7.1 points per game.
“I’m at the point where I should help the team with a little more scoring,” he said. “But that will come, so I’m not worried about that.”
Siena will need one of their better efforts of the year to take down a very good Manhattan team.
“It’s going to be a grind it out MAAC game,” said Patsos.