MAAC Transfer Scouting, Part 3: Siena

There are 32 incoming transfers between the eleven MAAC teams as of right now, with more on the horizon. There are a lot of new faces in the MAAC, and that’s hard for fans. However, with the help of some analytics, film breakdowns, and clippings, we’re here to help you get to know every single entering transfer for the league, team-by-team.

Siena is one of six MAAC teams with a full 13 scholarship players as of right now, bringing in one transfer, San Jose State’s Eduardo Lane. Let’s get to know him, and why the Saints targeted him.

Eduardo Lane

Originally from Aquidauana, a city in the somewhat remote southwest of Brazil, Lane grew up playing soccer, judo, and volleyball, before he first picked up a basketball at nine years old. He went to Campinas High School in São Paulo before attending Marshalltown Community College for two seasons. He then transferred to San Jose State for his third year of eligibility in 2019–20, played in 25 games, and hasn’t played since due to injury.

Coach Carmen Maciariello says that despite missing the past two seasons due to injury, that Lane is healthy and ready for next year. Maciariello also said that Lane became the apple of his staff’s eye after “we passed on many transfers because we were looking for fit and return basically 5 starters.”

Coach also told me that Lane “wants to play for a program with basketball tradition and a passionate fanbase,” which is something that Siena provides about as well as any other MAAC team. Maciariello added that Lane was looking for “an opportunity to play and compete for a championship,” which gives insight as to what the Saints’ expectations for themselves are.

At 6–10, 250, Lane is a big body that is expected to be Siena’s backup center behind Jackson Stormo. In his only healthy Division I season, Lane played 25 games, starting 7, averaged 10.2 minutes per game, 3.3 PPG, 2.2 RPG, and 0.6 APG. There’s not a ton to go off of, but Lane is a traditional back-to-basket big man who goes to the post up a ton. Lane attempted just four three-pointers, and he shot 12–30 from the foul line, keeping his game to post hooks and layups. He’s not the most imposing of shot blockers either, blocking just 9 shots in 256 minutes.

Foul trouble kept Lane off the court at SJSU as well, as he averaged 8.4 personal fouls per 40 minutes, but he also averaged 13.0 points and 8.6 rebounds per 40.

What Lane will bring to the MAAC is a bench role for when Jackson Stormo is in foul trouble or is tired, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t still break down what little film we have on him.

On this play, Lane fakes the dribble handoff and gets a clearout from #2 Brae Ivey, creating all of the necessary space for Lane to go into his 1v1 matchup with Chase Jeter, where he uses his left hand, turns his body to protect the ball, and dribbles through for a reverse layup.

It’s obvious that Lane is not very comfortable with his face-up game, but he’s skilled enough to put the ball on the floor with his left and connect on this reverse layup. He takes “back-to-basket big man” very literally, hardly ever taking shots that come from outside the paint.

Here’s a look at Lane’s shot chart, where his paint tendencies and skillset is even easier to see. Lane is similar to Stormo in this aspect, and it was clear that the Saints were looking for a player to play a traditional back-to-basket role as the backup.

It’s not inherently a good or bad thing that Siena prefers this type of big man, but it is something to note

On this possession, Lane is posting up on a freshman version of Christian Koloko, and while he initially gets stuffed, he gets his own miss, takes a dribble towards the middle, and turns around for a left-handed layup off the glass.

On this possession, Lane is establishing post positioning on Neemias Queta, a 2x Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, and current NBA player, and he once again rolls to the baseline with the left and goes for the reverse layup.

Defensively, it’s best if you don’t see Lane 1v1 outside of the paint, as he’s not the fleetest of foot. His less-than-stellar footspeed and athleticism is a factor as to why he struggled with foul trouble, even sometimes in the post-up.

However, sometimes his instincts would lead him to success, as he executes an excellent trap on this high ball screen, leading to a deflection and steal.

While it’s not a major impact player like what some other MAAC teams have brought in, it’s easy to see how Lane fits at Siena. He should provide the Saints with serviceable production in the non-Stormo minutes, which is all they were looking for in the portal.

While Siena did express interest in players like Brandon Suggs and Hason Ward, who were impact players at levels above the MAAC, the Saints were comfortable moving forward with just the addition of Lane because of their returning core. Signs point to Anthony Gaines and Andrew Platek returning from their injuries for one last ride, Jackson Stormo is back, and many expect breakouts from Javian McCollum and Jared Billups. If the breakouts and injury returns can adequately fill the void left by Colby Rogers and Nick Hopkins, the Saints can have a successful season despite the relatively quiet transfer approach.

Next up in the MAAC Transfer Scouting will be Manhattan.