Siena men's basketball begins its 2026-27 campaign on the road against Bryant University in a game that pits longtime coaching friends against each other. Saints head coach Nevada Smith will face a familiar counterpart on the opposing bench when the teams tip off in the season opener.
Smith, who guided Siena through its first official practice on September 22 in Colonie, New York, prepares his squad for the early-season test. The matchup adds a personal dimension as the coaching staffs share a history that now transitions into competitive rivalry for 40 minutes.
Both programs enter the new season with aspirations for conference success, making the opening contest an immediate measuring stick. The game marks the start of what both coaches hope will be a productive campaign for their respective programs.
