Siena University is located in Loudonville, New York, a suburban hamlet approximately six miles north of Albany and about 150 miles north of New York City. The small Catholic liberal arts school — home to roughly 3,000 students — has suddenly become one of the most searched schools in America after landing a first-round matchup against No. 1 seed Duke in the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament on March 19, 2026.
Where Exactly Is Siena University?
Siena sits in Loudonville, a quiet residential community in Albany County in upstate New York. If you're picturing a campus tucked among the rolling hills of the Capital Region, you'd be right. The school is an easy drive from downtown Albany, putting it within reach of a major city while still maintaining a tight-knit, small-campus atmosphere.
- Town: Loudonville, New York
- County: Albany County
- Distance from Albany: Approximately 6 miles north
- Distance from New York City: Approximately 150 miles north
- Student population: Approximately 3,000
- Acceptance rate: Around 77–78%
The school was founded by Franciscan friars and carries a strong Catholic identity. It officially became Siena University (previously Siena College) just recently, making the 2026 NCAA Tournament appearance the first ever under the "university" name — a small but symbolic milestone for the institution.
Why Everyone Is Suddenly Googling Siena University
If your bracket has Siena written on it — or you're trying to figure out who Duke is playing — you're not alone. Siena's selection as a No. 16 seed to face No. 1 Duke in Greenville, South Carolina sent March Madness fans scrambling to learn more about the Saints.
The reason Siena is in the tournament at all comes down to one thing: winning the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Tournament. The Saints finished the 2025–26 regular season 23–11, a record that wouldn't automatically punch their ticket to the Big Dance. But by winning the MAAC Tournament outright, Siena earned an automatic bid — and a date with college basketball royalty.
This is Siena's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2010, ending a 16-year drought that many fans had started to wonder if it would ever end.
The buzz on campus has been impossible to miss. According to local reports, Siena's campus was abuzz with excitement in the days leading up to the game, with students and faculty departing campus around 6 p.m. on March 18 for the overnight drive south to Greenville, South Carolina. It's the kind of energy that only March Madness can generate.
Siena's NCAA Tournament History
This trip to the Big Dance isn't Siena's first rodeo — it's their seventh all-time appearance. But the Saints' most memorable stretch came during a remarkable three-year run from 2008 to 2010, when they became one of the great mid-major stories in tournament history.
- 2008: Siena upset Vanderbilt in the first round, stunning the college basketball world
- 2009: The Saints knocked off Ohio State in one of the tournament's signature upsets
- 2010: Siena made their third straight appearance before the run came to an end
Those upsets weren't flukes — they were the product of a program that knew how to prepare for the moment. Now, 16 years later, a new generation of Siena Saints is looking to write the next chapter. Learn more about Siena's tournament history and program background.
Meet the Team: Who Is Leading Siena in 2026?
Any Cinderella story needs its cast of characters, and Siena's 2026 squad has plenty of them.
Gavin Doty — The Star
The name to know is Gavin Doty, the MAAC Tournament MVP. Doty averages 17.9 points per game and was the engine behind Siena's postseason run. He's the kind of player who can get hot in a hurry — exactly what you need if you're going to pull off an upset against a blue blood like Duke.
Justice Shoats — The Backcourt Partner
Alongside Doty in the backcourt is Justice Shoats, giving Siena a dynamic one-two punch that has caused headaches for MAAC defenses all season long.
Gerry McNamara — The Coach
Head coach Gerry McNamara is no stranger to big stages. A former Syracuse guard, McNamara was a key part of Syracuse's 2003 national championship run and knows what March Madness pressure feels like from the player's side. Now he's channeling that experience into building a program capable of competing on the national stage. Read more about Siena's location and tournament preparation.
The Matchup: Siena vs. Duke
No. 16 seeds facing No. 1 seeds is famously one of the most lopsided matchups in sports — history has not been kind to the 16. But Siena's 2008 and 2009 teams showed that mid-majors from the MAAC can shock the country when the stars align.
The game tips off on March 19, 2026, in Greenville, South Carolina. If Siena were to pull off the upset, a second-round game would likely pit them against either Ohio State or TCU — a matchup that would bring full-circle narrative given Siena's history of beating Ohio State back in 2009.
Get the full breakdown of Siena's program and what to know about the Saints.
Key Takeaways for Bracket Watchers
- Siena is located in Loudonville, New York, just outside Albany in upstate New York
- The Saints earned their bid by winning the MAAC Tournament, finishing 23–11 on the season
- This is their first tournament appearance in 16 years and their seventh all-time
- Gavin Doty (17.9 PPG, MAAC Tournament MVP) is the player to watch
- Coach Gerry McNamara brings legitimate big-game pedigree to the sideline
- Siena has upset Vanderbilt and Ohio State in past tournaments — upsets are in their DNA
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Siena University located?
Siena University is located in Loudonville, New York, a suburb approximately six miles north of Albany and about 150 miles north of New York City.
How did Siena qualify for the 2026 NCAA Tournament?
Siena earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament by winning the MAAC (Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) Tournament. The Saints finished the season with a 23–11 record.
When was Siena's last NCAA Tournament appearance before 2026?
Siena's most recent tournament appearance before 2026 was in 2010. The 2026 appearance ends a 16-year drought for the program.
Has Siena ever upset a top seed in the NCAA Tournament?
Yes. During their 2008–2010 run, Siena upset both Vanderbilt and Ohio State in first-round games, establishing themselves as one of the great mid-major programs of that era. Their 2026 team is looking to add to that legacy against No. 1 seed Duke.