A look at Fairfield Men's Basketball OOC Schedule

There are 52 days left until the Stags tip off the year. The 2010-2011 Stags will face 10 different conferences in their out-of-conference schedule. Coach Cooley has said that, "this could be our most challenging non-conference schedule since I've been at Fairfield". The Stags will play four home games with the biggest name being Saint Joe's on November 23rd. Throughout the next 52 days we will have an in-depth look at each game to get you ready for the season.

11/13 vs Sacred Heart University at Mohegan Sun
This game will kick off the Stags 2010 season. It will be part of the 2nd annual "Connecticut 6" series of games. For the first time this rivalry game will not be played at the Arena at Harbor Yard.

The last time these two teams faced each other it was a breakout game of freshman Derek Needham. This was the game when people started looking at how good the first year player was. The guard recorded a double double with 19 points and a game high 14 assists. The Stags won 93-77. The Pioneers are a very young team they graduated their 4 top scorers from a year ago and around 75% of their total offense last year. The player to watch out for in this freshman class is Chris Evans. He was one of the most highly regarded prospects in Connecticut.

Personally I don't know why this game is being played at Mohegan Sun. I mean it's great to have a good venue for this rivalry game but this was one of the few games the Fairfield fans actually attended. If your going to complain that no one goes to the games than don't take away one of the most hyped games. It doesn't become a rivalry when both schools are an hour away from the venue. In a year where Women's Soccer drew 950 people on a Friday night and both teams are the buzz on campus already, record attendance figures might be in store.

The Pioneers do not have what it takes to keep up with the Stags and the Stags should roll over them and win the opening game of the year.

PREDICTION: Stags 90 Pioneers 60