Indiana Wraps Non-Conference Slate with Test Against Gritty Siena Squad
The final tune-up before Big Ten play is here, and Indiana has one more box to check before the calendar flips. Monday night at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, the Hoosiers will host Siena in the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. ET on BTN.
At 8-0 at home, Indiana has made Assembly Hall a fortress this season. But after an inconsistent showing against Chicago State, this matchup with Siena becomes more than just a final non-conference game - it’s a chance to reestablish rhythm and close out the year with a convincing, complete performance.
Siena Brings Grit and a Backcourt That Can Go
Don’t let the mid-major label fool you. Siena may not have the star power of a Power Five program, but they’ve got a backcourt that can make things interesting.
The Saints, 9-3 on the season, are led by head coach Gerry McNamara - yes, that Gerry McNamara - now in his second year at the helm. The former Syracuse standout has his team playing tough, smart basketball, and they were picked second in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference preseason poll.
Siena had ripped off seven straight wins before getting tripped up at Vermont, 83-69, last time out. That loss doesn’t erase what’s been a strong start for a team that knows who it is: tough on defense, patient on offense, and willing to grind out games.
The Saints are led by a dynamic guard pairing in senior Justice Shoats and sophomore Gavin Doty. Shoats, a 5-foot-11 floor general, transferred in from Division II Lock Haven, where he starred for two seasons.
He’s not going to stretch the floor (just 1-for-8 from three this season), but he’s a high-IQ playmaker who averages 12.7 points, 5.3 assists, and nearly two steals per game. He sets the tone on both ends.
Doty, meanwhile, is the go-to scorer. At 6-foot-5, he’s averaging 14.8 points and 6.3 boards per game, and he's been in double figures in nine of Siena’s 12 contests.
He had a season-high 25 points in a loss at St. Bonaventure and isn’t afraid to get downhill and draw contact - he leads the team in free-throw attempts and is converting at nearly 77 percent.
Then there’s senior forward Brendan Coyle, who spaces the floor but has been in a bit of a shooting funk this season. After hitting nearly 40 percent from deep last year, he’s sitting at 30.3 percent on 81 attempts through 12 games. Still, he’s a threat Indiana will need to account for, especially in pick-and-pop actions.
Frontcourt Brings Size, Hustle, and a Nose for the Boards
Siena’s frontcourt is built for physicality, not finesse. Antonio Chandler, a 6-foot-6 wing, brings energy and rebounding from the four spot.
He’s averaging 6.8 points and 5.2 boards per game and is shooting nearly 57 percent on twos. He recently posted a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double in a win over Canisius - a sign he can punish defenses that don’t box out.
Anchoring the paint is junior center Tasman Goodrick, a 6-foot-10, 230-pound presence who’s making a name for himself on the glass. He ranks among the nation’s top 25 in offensive rebounding percentage and is pulling down 7.3 boards per game in just over 23 minutes.
He’s also shooting 64.5 percent from the field and adds 9.7 points per game. He’s not flashy, but he’s efficient and relentless on second-chance opportunities.
Off the bench, Siena extends its rotation with a trio that gives them some versatility. Freshman point guard Christian Jones has found his stroke from deep, hitting 36.6 percent of his threes and scoring in double figures in back-to-back games.
Forward Francis Folefac, a 6-foot-7, 245-pound freshman, filled in admirably when Goodrick missed time with a knee injury. He’s averaging 8.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and a block per game - not bad for a first-year player still adjusting to the college game.
Rounding out the rotation is 7-footer Riley Mulvey, a senior transfer from Iowa who recently returned from an eight-game absence due to a concussion. He’s only logging about nine minutes per game but brings size and experience off the bench.
Defense is the Saints’ Calling Card
Siena’s identity starts on the defensive end. They’re one of the better teams nationally in three key areas: forcing turnovers, cleaning the defensive glass, and avoiding fouls. That’s not a coincidence - it’s a product of discipline and effort.
They rank in the top 55 nationally in opponent turnover rate, defensive rebounding percentage, and opponent free-throw rate. That’s a tough combination to play against. They don’t give you second chances, they don’t bail you out at the line, and they’ll make you work to get clean looks.
That said, their strength of schedule has been soft - 362nd nationally, per KenPom - so this matchup with Indiana will be one of their biggest tests to date.
Offensively, Siena Keeps It Inside the Arc
If you’re looking for a team that lives and dies by the three, Siena isn’t it. The Saints attempt just 30.9 percent of their shots from beyond the arc, ranking 338th in the country. They’re shooting just 29 percent from distance and generating only 21.3 percent of their points from threes - that’s bottom-five nationally.
Instead, they do their damage inside. Siena is rebounding 33.3 percent of their own misses and converting 53.5 percent of their twos, which puts them in the top third nationally. They’re methodical, patient, and willing to grind out possessions to get high-percentage looks near the rim.
What to Watch: Indiana’s Focus and Finish
After a split-personality performance against Chicago State - lights out from three in the first half, ice cold in the second - Indiana needs to tighten things up. Head coach Darian DeVries will want to see a full 40-minute effort, especially with a long holiday break looming.
KenPom gives Indiana a 95 percent win probability and projects the Hoosiers to win by 18. Bart Torvik has it at 19. But Siena is a more disciplined and better-coached team than Chicago State, and they won’t roll over.
If Indiana plays to its potential - with consistent energy, smart shot selection, and a commitment to the glass - this should be a comfortable win. But if the Hoosiers come out flat or look ahead to the Big Ten grind, Siena has enough toughness and experience to make things interesting.
This is the kind of game that won’t define Indiana’s season, but it could set the tone for what’s to come. The Hoosiers have a chance to close out 2025 on a high note - now it’s just about taking care of business.