The Stags are off to a hot 15-4 start that included an 8-1 record in MAAC play. On Friday the stags embark on a 4 game home stand. Today we preview the first two of the stags next four opponents.
Stags next two opponents:
Friday January 28th vs Manhattan Jaspers- For a team looking to make there first NCAA tournament appearance in 14 years, this is a MUST win for the Stags. Manhattan is having one of their worst years (if not the worst) in recent memory. However, they are not a team to overlook. They played a solid Georgia team to a three point loss back in late November, but since then they have really been bad. Of their nine MAAC games so far, they have one win over a struggling Niagara squad, and only three of their 8 loses were decided by 10 points or less. Ouch. However, this is a young team that is going to be playing with a purpose on Friday night. Their freshman point guard Michael Alvarado is putting up 10.6 PPG, and 3 APG, while sophomore swing-man George Beamon is quietly the seventh leading scorer in the MAAC at 15 PPG. This team does have some offensive firepower, and something to prove. However, they are very young and that offense will likely be neutralized by Fairfield's stifling defense.
Prediction: Stags: 68 Jaspers:53
Stags struggle to find their grove early on, but settle down over a pesky Manhattan squad in a game that is not as close as the score indicates. The Jaspers just do not have the man power to hang with the stags for forty minutes.
X Factor: Ryan Olander will be the X factor in this one along with the stags depth on the bench. Look for an Olander double double Friday night. I also see a big game out of Colin Nickerson in this contest. Manhattan's guards will struggle with his athleticism.
Sunday January 31st vs Canisius Golden Griffins- Ahhhhh could we be looking at the classic trap game!? Not with this years Stags team. With the huge game against Iona looming five days after this match-up some may think trap game. Think again. Canisius is a team that Fairfield has quietly dominated over the past three years. However, it seems as if every time these teams play it is close. I do not think anyone will forget when the Stags held a twenty-one point lead at the half in MAAC quarterfinals last year only to see it evaporate in the second half. Luckily, we had Derek Needham and he put up a career high 29 in that victory. Now to recent memory. The stags played against a very scrappy and athletic Griffins team in Buffalo and gutted out a 67-60 victory. Two days later, the same Canisius squad stunned Iona in Buffalo on a Gabby Belardo layup with 4 seconds left on the clock to seal the 75-73 victory, and this senior laden squad may be finding there stride. Senior Elton Frazier and sophomore point guard Belardo lead the Golden Griffins averaging 11.3 PPG. Seniors Greg Logins and Julius Coles are both averaging double figures in scoring this year, and rounding out the starting five is scrappy senior Robert Goldsberry. This is a team that has underachieved so far this year. They have 4 senior starters have all gotten pretty significant playing time since their freshman year, and this is NOT a team one wants to see in the MAAC tournament. I honestly see the Golden Griffins making a run in March, as there is simply to much talent and experience on this team not too.
Prediction: Stags 67 Golden Griffins 59
This game will be your typical Fairfield-Canisius match up where no one in the stands will be able to breath easy until the final whistle. Although Canisius is athletic enough and experienced enough to beat the Stags, I just do not think they are quite at the level of the stags just yet. This is a game that the Stags should win with their high expectations. However, LOOK OUT for this Golden Griffins team in March. I would not be surprised if this team sneaks themselves to the MAAC championship game.
X factor: In this match up, I think your X factor is Derek Needham. Balardo has filled the point guard position well for the Golden Griffins after the graduation of their all-MAAC point guard Frank Turner. However, Needham is the better PG. If the Griffs contain Needham and shut down Olander, they can win this game. But Needham has proven this year time and time again that he is a clutch performer. I think he puts up 20 points and 6 assists to lead the stags past a solid Golden Griffins squad.
Stay tuned as next week we preview two highly anticipated games as the Stags host the second place Iona Gaels on Friday February 4th at 9 PM, a game that will be televised on ESPN U. Two days later on Sunday February 6th, the Stags host the Rider Broncs at 3:30 PM. All games will be held at the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard!
