During UAlbany's 86-51 win over Siena last year in the Albany Cup, then-Great Danes guard Marcus Jackson delivered four points, four assists and a pair of steals. 

“I just remember how excited we were to win it and what it meant to us and where it kicked our season off,” Jackson said.

He’ll look to make it back-to-back Albany Cups for himself — this time, trying to get the trophy back to Siena. In the offseason, Jackson transferred from UAlbany and joined the Saints.

“I’m excited. I got brothers over there that I’ve made in my past years that I spent there," Jackson said. "I’m excited to just compete. The guys we have over here at Siena, we're just hungry.”

Jackson has helped Siena get off to a 3-0 start under first-year head coach Gerry McNamara. The Saints will try to make it four in a row, matching their win total from last season, at the Broadview Center this weekend. It’s just the second time the rivalry has been played on UAlbany’s campus. 

“Marcus Jackson, regardless of opponent, pretty much stays in the same state of mind,” McNamara said. “I’ll speak to him before Saturday night, obviously. He’s just got to continue to be himself. He doesn't have to be anything different for us to impact hopefully the outcome of the game.”

After dropping the season opener to Army, the Great Danes have won their last two. UAlbany head coach Dwayne Killings has assembled a nearly completely new roster after Jackson and several others transferred.

“I think we really helped lift Marcus' talent level and also just who he was as a person,” Killings said. “I think that was two good years of it. And then he made the best decision for him. And then we moved on right away.”

Siena currently leads the Albany Cup series 11-8. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Saturday at the Broadview Center.

“Each side just has loyal fans, and I think it’s just an unbelievable atmosphere because of that," Jackson said. “And it’s something I appreciate at Albany, and it's something I also appreciate here at Siena.”