MAAC MidSeason Review

The MAAC Blog has done their mid season storyline segment. I was surprised that they hardly mentioned Fairfield except they have Cooley as their Coach of the Year and they do have Derek Needham as one of the top 10 players of the league (even though they spelled his name wrong).

There is no mention of how they expect the Stags to fair in the second half of the season and they do not really mention how great Iona has done.

The coach of the year would be very difficult to choose right now. Yes, Cooley has done a GREAT job this year with the absence of Nero and Hawkins and Edney still trying to become what they once were. Even with the struggles of Needham and the at times pathetic offensive displays of shooting the ball anywhere on the court. With all that stacked against him, he has found a way to win and make a defense that is currently the second best in the nation.

With all that said Iona has also done a great job, but things have come much easier to them.. It will be interesting to see how things will go on February 4th.

Men: 3rd in Defense

In the updated NCAA statistics, the Fairfield University men's basketball team is ranked as number 3 in scoring defense only allowing 53.9 points per game. Stephen F. Austin leads the nation in the category nearly a point and a half better than the Stags. Austin has played in 2 less games which could be why they have allowed 200 fewer points than the Stags. Fairfield remains one of the only teams in the nation NOT to allow 70 points or more.

It is interesting stat because of the very weak strength of schedule that the team has had. If the Stags actually played Florida, the ranking will defintely decrease. The big test will come when the squad competes against Iona and Rider. With their over powering offense, the Stags defensive system will have it's biggest test.

Andy Katz Interview with Coach Cooley

On Fairfieldstags.com the new video on the men's basketball section, they podcast the sit down from Katz Corner with Richmond's head coach Chris Mooney and Coach Cooley. Cooley talks about the pressure to win the MAAC Tournament, the expansion to 68 teams, and how they got Derek Needham.

I always wondered how they were able to get Derek Needham, well the mystery is solved and all the details are right there.

Ed Cooley will appear on ESPN U tonight at 6pm

For the full story click here.

Coach Ed Cooley will be a guest of Katz corner with ESPN Andy Katz. He will be the only MAAC Coach and the only head coach in the state of Connecticut to appear on the college basketball preview show