Siena Basketball: GMAC / Blackwell / AO

[CuseMan4]

I don’t want Gmac back as a coach just yet. Get him more experience. If we need him again in 5-8 years and he’s a proven winner at different levels of D1 sure….but seriously asking what would we be favored by against Siena?

I can’t think we would be favored by more than 10-12 points. That’s saying something

 

[Cusefan0307]

I don’t want Gmac back as a coach just yet. Get him more experience. If we need him again in 5-8 years and he’s a proven winner at different levels of D1 sure….but seriously asking what would we be favored by against Siena?

I can’t think we would be favored by more than 10-12 points. That’s saying something

Looking at KP about 8 points on a neutral court. Their backcourt would give us major problems.

 

[Jake]

I don’t want Gmac back as a coach just yet. Get him more experience. If we need him again in 5-8 years and he’s a proven winner at different levels of D1 sure….but seriously asking what would we be favored by against Siena?

I can’t think we would be favored by more than 10-12 points. That’s saying something

Again, I’m not saying GMAC should be the guy, but he showed coaching aptitude. And the measurement shouldn’t be, would we beat him- it should be “would he get our talent to perform better”. I think he would.

But the counter argument would be “can he get the talent Red does?”. 3 years ago I would have said no way, but in a world where it’s not about relationships, if he has as much or more to spend that Red?!

Again, I’m not advocating for Gerry because I think the fan base is eager to break from the Boeheim tree, but a case could be made for him..

 

[EnviroSciGuy]

That was a fun game where coaching played a big role. I'm not used to seeing that. Blackwell and AO roaming the sidelines... man, I'm starting to wonder if this should have been the move all along...

 

[Irishsecra1]

What was nice was seeing a coach make some real half time adjustments.
And I love Doty! That kid never gives up.
And real ball movement!

Hope they manage to make it to the NCAAT.

 

[Irishsecra1]

Again, I’m not saying GMAC should be the guy, but he showed coaching aptitude. And the measurement shouldn’t be, would we beat him- it should be “would he get our talent to perform better”. I think he would.

But the counter argument would be “can he get the talent Red does?”. 3 years ago I would have said no way, but in a world where it’s not about relationships, if he has as much or more to spend that Red?!

Again, I’m not advocating for Gerry because I think the fan base is eager to break from the Boeheim tree, but a case could be made for him..

The other key is being able to see what recruits he can get who are diamonds in the rough. Maybe not 4 stars but they produce when it matters.
Red passed on Doty but look how he has bloomed with Gerry.
The kid was awesome tonight, played all 40 minutes ,- 6’5 guard with 25 points and 13 rebounds 4 assists 3 steals Shot 55% fg in game.
Has 79% ft for the season.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

What was nice was seeing a coach make some real half time adjustments.
And I love Doty! That kid never gives up.
And real ball movement!

Hope they manage to make it to the NCAAT.

First have was really sloppy. Has happened before and Gerry puts the fear of God in them. Or something like that but it works. 2nd half was much tighter on both sides of the ball.

Doty and Folefac both had great games. Shoates was sloppy at times, but got it together. Doty and Shoates both played 40 and Folefac only played 36, and he was huffing and huffing for a breather. He's been great as a Freshman who was not even starting at center until Goodrick got injured. Fortunately Mulvey has been playing some good minutes allowing Folefac to slide to the 4.

In my opinion, Saturday is a big game for Siena. They play at St. Peters and both are tied for 2nd place behind Merrimack. Perfect timing. After Cuse beats Virginia at noon, then Siena can beat the Peacocks at 2 pm.

Men's Basketball vs Iona on 2/5/2026 - Box Score - Siena University Athletics

The official box score of Men's Basketball vs Iona on 2/5/2026

sienasaints.com

 

[cliftonparksufan]

GMAC and all the coaches in suits! I like it! It’s a we mean business look.

 

[Jake]

If McNamara played at Notre Dame no one would be clamoring to hire the 3rd year coach at Sienna. I’m glad he’s having some success there. We need to aim wayyyyy higher.

Agreed, the fans calling for Gerry, want him solely because he played here. But an athletic director has to factor in the potential to have a stable successful hire into the equation. So John looks at Gerry more for his potential to provide a long term sustainable product, not solely because he’s an alum. He’ll hire the guy that he thinks makes the most sense.

I think the plan would be to go get a guy who can produce immediate results, but I would think that There has to be an eye on Gerry because he could provide long term stability at some point.

 

[Dcuse]

What is this He needs more seasoning….. He needs a few more years…… He’s not ready just yet crap? My only question is can he get the major players to start coming back to Syracuse again. Would he be able to hire the right staff to recruit at a high level. There is NOTHING else that he lacks. I’ve been saying it for years and been hammered for it on this board. He should always have been THE GUY!

 

[PhatOrange]

The year before Gerry got to siena they were 4-28. He's in year 2 and they're 16-7, 2nd in their conference and have a damn good shot at winning their conference tourney and making the dance. I know people want to go outside the program, and I'm all for it. But man did we whiff terribly on who the better coach is between him and Red. The turn around in 2 years at Siena is miraculous.

Not advocating Gerry but he's not much different than Hodgson if not better

Arkansas State
18-11
13-20
Enter Hodgson
20-17
25-11 NIT

South Florida
25-8
13-19
Enter Hodgson
15-8

I mean ...

 

[Dcuse]

Agreed, the fans calling for Gerry, want him solely because he played here. But an athletic director has to factor in the potential to have a lstabke successful hire into the equation. So John looks at Gerry more for his potential to provide a long term sustainable product, not solely because he’s an alum. He’ll hire the guy that he thinks makes the most sense.

I think the plan would be to go get a guy who can produce immediate results, but I would think that There has to be an eye on Gerry because he could provide a long term stability at some point.

Not me. I see a Billy Donovan clone in Gerry McNamara. And it has zero to do with where he went to school.

 

[Newhouser]

One thing is definitely certain. Siena plays 1000 times harder than SU does.

 

[Cstate]

That was an entertaining game. Iona couldn’t miss in the first half, scoring 47 points. 2nd half their shooting cooled off, Siena clamped down on defense and rebounding, holding them to only 25 points. Gerry certainly gets the most out of his players. He’s got some serious fire inside of him at all times! Dude never sat down

 

[Jake]

Not advocating Gerry but he's not much different than Hodgson if not better

Arkansas State
18-11
13-20
Enter Hodgson
20-17
25-11 NIT

South Florida
25-8
13-19
Enter Hodgson
15-8

I mean ...

Yeah, I mean if your argument is “I like Hodgson over Gerry because has had more experience”…eh.

He does seem to be a better talent gatherer.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

One thing is definitely certain. Siena plays 1000 times harder than SU does.

Without a doubt. If you slack off on defense Gerry will either be in your face or sub you out. Doty is a great role model and other guys follow his lead.

 

[Blanko97]

Anyone watching this and thinking that GMAC can’t coach is nuts. Can he recruit is the question.

I would like to point out that Siena got the ball to their best players consistently down the stretch.

I’m not saying he should be Red’s replacement, but that was a well-organized, well-coached, disciplined team.

I haven’t seen anyone say he can’t coach, just that he shouldn’t be the next coach

 

[Orangezoo]

Agreed, the fans calling for Gerry, want him solely because he played here. But an athletic director has to factor in the potential to have a lstabke successful hire into the equation. So John looks at Gerry more for his potential to provide a long term sustainable product, not solely because he’s an alum. He’ll hire the guy that he thinks makes the most sense.

I think the plan would be to go get a guy who can produce immediate results, but I would think that There has to be an eye on Gerry because he could provide a long term stability at some point.

I think a big part of who you bring in these days also comes with who comes with you. What kind of players and talent do you bring over to pair with anyone you successfully recruit to stay. I’m not sure there is much to get excited about at this level he has now. Doty and Folefac are nice players at that level but not sure if they are more than bench pieces at an ACC level for a team that wants to urgently return to national contention.

Who comes with also refers to the financial side. Obviously based on the known rift with Lally there would possibly be issues if Gerry sought to try and have Weitsman back in the fold since he worked with him at Siena. I think this and the aforementioned is the big question mark on recruiting.

Tonight was impressive given he coached against someone whose star is going to get brighter in short order given the pedigree an obvious ability to find talent at Iona. Geriot will be a P4 coach in not too long I’d wager on it.

I said it before being born and raised in NEPA and in Gerry’s class that it would be incredible to see him come full circle an be successful. To me there is still work to do on his part as a coach and recruiter both even if the former shows a lot of promise early on. I’d like to see how he navigates finishing the season and then the pressure of the conference tournament with a team having expectations to possibly win it now.

 

[orangepassion]

Agreed, the fans calling for Gerry, want him solely because he played here. But an athletic director has to factor in the potential to have a stable successful hire into the equation. So John looks at Gerry more for his potential to provide a long term sustainable product, not solely because he’s an alum. He’ll hire the guy that he thinks makes the most sense.

I think the plan would be to go get a guy who can produce immediate results, but I would think that There has to be an eye on Gerry because he could provide long term stability at some point.

I definitely think he'd be an upgrade over Autry. I just don't think he's the best guy out there right now and that's all I want us to go for. Right now, Gerry's a solid MAAC coach. I want someone who's dominating a lower level of Basketball, not a guy who just beat a .500 MAAC team in the last minute.

 

[FloridaCuse]

Gmac constantly working the officials!

He learned from the best.