University of Albany and Siena closing in on deal to continue series

The University of Albany and Siena are working on agreement to continue their men’s basketball series. Both sides said they expect a deal to come soon after the Final Four.

Siena athletic director John D’Argenio said the sides exchanged proposals before the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament. He and UAlbany athletic director Lee McElroy then agreed to continue talking after the NCAA Tournament.

Asked if he expects a contract to get done, D’Argenio said, “I don’t see why it wouldn’t.”

McElroy described the deal as needing to be “finalized.”

The contract between the schools expired after this year’s game, which Siena won, 75-71, at Times Union Center.

UAlbany is believed to be seeking more tickets to sell and better locations for those seats. McElroy said he and D’Argenio still had details to work out in regard to both.

“(D’Argenio) has made a nice proposal that needs to be fine-tuned, based on some of the pervious years we played,” McElroy said. ”We intend to make this one of the best college basketball events in the country.”

Courtesy: Pete Iorizzo