You can’t put Siena basketball coach Jimmy Patsos in a box.

Iona head coach Tim Cluess would like to do just that – literally.

Cluess complained after the Gaels’ 81-78 loss to Siena on Saturday that Patsos spent too much time outside the coaching box during play. By NCAA rule, the boundaries of the coaching box are defined as the sideline to the back of the bench, and extending no further than 28 feet from the endline down the sideline.

“The other coach was on the court all game long,” Cluess said. “Get him off the freaking court.”

The NCAA rule book states: “The head coach may stand but must remain completely and clearly in his coaching box. One warning shall be issued to the head coach before any subsequent infraction is penalized.”

It’s a rule that seems to be seldom enforced. Patsos did get a technical during the Iona game, but that came during a media timeout in the second half, after he’d repeatedly complained to officials Ken Clark and Andy O’Brien.

Patsos was asked after today’s practice if he thinks he’s on the court too much. He said that not all coaching boxes are created equal, especially on the road.

“The sideline is tight,” he said. “There’s not a problem. The Times Union (Center) is like an NBA situation, so you have a lot of room to roam. You go to certain gyms and they’re like, ‘Hello …’ No, I’m not on the court when it plays. During the timeout, I was on the court, just because I wanted to grab the ball. … I love Cluess. He’s a great coach. They’ve beat us five out of six times. I love it because he runs a lot of good offense and Iona’s been great for the league.”

Earlier, Patsos did take a jab at Cluess when talking about the seeding for the upcoming MAAC Tournament at Times Union Center. Cluess has expressed his unhappiness with the tournament being held on Siena’s homecourt.

“Cluess wanted the whole tournament at Iona, but we probably couldn’t do that,” Patsos said.