Weekend Preview

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!

On This Date in Stag History

January 26th 2009- The Fairfield Stags were defeated by the Manhattan Jaspers 65-60. But the big news happened after the game when Stags captain Jon Han was involved in an altercation with an assistant and was then suspended from the team indefintely. He would not play in another game for the Stags but still finished among the 1,000 point scorers.

Well, if you think about it this could have been the turning point of the Stags program. Cooley was not very successful in his first few years, but after suspending Han he gave off the impression to everyone that no one is better than the team. Out goes Han in comes Needham and the rest is history

Stags Athletes to Take Part in a Talent Show

The Fairfield Stags will host their first ever Stag Athletic Talent show on Saturday, January 29th at 7PM at Alumni Hall. The event is sponsored by the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) and all proceeds from 50/50 raffles, concessions, and collection throughout the evening will be donated to the Grace Evanko Fund, a second grader from the Fairfield area who is battling an inoperable brain tumor. The event is free and open to the University community and public.

Grace and her family enjoyed spending time with members of SAAC at the women’s basketball game against Niagara University on January 23. "It was a great opportunity to meet Grace and her family, get to know them, as well as support the women’s basketball team,” said SAAC co-president, and women’s lacrosse player Kelley Brady.

More student-athletes will have the chance to meet Grace and her family as well this Saturday night as all 20 varsity programs will be putting on an act, or helping with set-up and concessions.

The student-athletes will have five minutes to show the crowd their talent. "It will be an exciting event for the teams to show their creative side in a fun competition. The event is another way for the student-athletes to come together as a group, instead of 20 different teams,” said Senior Associate Director of Athletics and SAAC Advisor Alison Sexton.

Each team will perform in front of a panel of guest judges including head men’s basketball coach Ed Cooley, as well as former FUSA president Hutchinson Williams. Items to be raffled include MAAC apparel, Harlem Globetrotter tickets, digital camera picture frame and much more! So come out to Alumni Hall this Saturday, January 29 at 7 pm to support the Stags and a great cause.

This is an absolutely terrific story, I did watch the video of her father speaking about the event and he seems like a great guy. This event will be a segment on the next episode of Stags Country. But this is a great chance to see the Stags perform at Alumni, in a different way then they are used to but for an even better cause.

Most of the pieces I have heard are dance numbers but I have also heard rumors that there will be a circus act and Keith Matthews will display his ball dribbliing abilities.

Derek Needham wins Co-Player of the Week

Derek Needham has been chosen as the MAAC Player of the Week for the first time this season. Needham averaged 18.3 points and five assists per game in helping the Stags post wins at Rider, at Canisius, and at Niagara. He started the week by shooting 58 percent from the field which resulted in 27 points in the victory against the Broncs. Six of his seven field goals in that game came from behind the three-point line. He followed up with 19 points against Canisius, hitting four of six three pointers and six of 12 shots overall. He finished the week with nine points, highlighted by a critical three-point shot that halted a Niagara comeback bid late in the second half.

Maurice Barrow wins Rookie of the Week

Stags forward Maurice Barrow won his second MAAC Rookie of the Week award. Barrow started his week with a double-double against Rider, registering 11 points and 13 rebounds in 37 minutes of work. He came back with four points and five caroms in the Canisius decision, but surpassed those totals with 14 points and nine rebounds against Niagara. For the week, Barrow shot 50 percent from the floor and 78 percent from the line. The freshman averaged 9.7 points and nine rebounds per game.

Barrow assisted the Stags to a 3-0 record, with all the wins coming on the road.

Loyola 66 Fairfield 65

The Fairfield University men's basketball team (12-4, 5-1 MAAC) ended their 11 game winning streak as they were edged by the Loyola Greyhounds (7-9, 3-3 MAAC). Click for a complete recap and boxscore.

The Least You Should Know:
-This is the first loss for the Stags since late November when they were defeated by St.Joseph at the Webster Bank Arena. Speaking of streaks, this is the first time they lost at Loyola since 1998. They previously had a 13 game winning streak on the road against the Greyhounds.

-This is by far the most points that they allowed to a MAAC team and the most points given up since November 15th when they lost to Rutgers. This is the second most allowed in any game on the season.

-Ryan Olander sat after he picked up his fourth foul, he only played 28 minutes on the game. When he went on the bench Justin Drummond went on a tear and scored 7 points.

-The Stags did have a chance at the end of the game but Ryan Olander could not hit the three pointer, and the Greyhounds followed with a dunk off the inbounds (even though it might have been a 5 second violation)

This was a bad game all over. The defense really struggled as Loyola seemed to be able to score at will, and they did hit alot of clutch threes when they needed it the most. Without Olander, the Stags seemed very thin and Loyola took advantage and really killed the Stags in the paint and all over on offense.

The key stat is of course: 8-19. That is what the entire team did at the free throw line. It was really embarrasing to say the least. They were getting better at the line in recent games but obviously not here. Needham, Edney, and Hawkins who are the team's best free throw shooters went a combined 4-12 from the line. Inexcusable as those three players should be your leaders that step up in crunch time, but Fairfield seemed to be lacking leaders down the stretch.

Before the game the team watched the match between Buster Douglass and Mike Tyson and the coaches explained that they could become like Mike Tyson and just settle to be good, or they could stay hungry. Obviously, they got knocked out.

Player of the Game: Derek Needham with a team high 14 points (4-7 from 3) and 4 assists.

Up Next: The Stags travel to Rider to play the Broncs on Monday 1/17 at 7 PM.

Greg Nero has a Lasting Impact

When a student is recruited to play at the collegiate level, they hope to give the school everything that they want: a good character, a clutch performer, and a legendary hero. For five years, Fairfield Stags fans had the pleasure to watch an athlete who gave his program everything that they could hope for. He only stood 6 foot 7 weighing 215 pounds but his contribution for the team far exceeded his duty to perform on the court. His true image to the Stags will be shown as his extreme dedication off the court.

When Greg Nero first donned the #44 Fairfield jersey, he began his collegiate career with the fastest start in Stag history. He led the team scoring in each of his first 6 games, the first Fairfield rookie ever to do so. The streak was highlighted by a performance against the state benchmark UCONN Huskies in Hartford. That game is by most fans considered his most memorable moment. The early success wasn't a surprise for Nero. He came to the Stags after a successful career in Red Hook, New York when he led his team to four Section 9 championships after comiling a 92-8 overall record.

He continued his freshmen success ending the year 6th among MAAC rookies in scoring. He was also one block shy of the team lead and second in free throws.

2007 was a new year for Nero and he was gaining some conference attention. His sophomore year was the first time in his career he was named to an all-MAAC team and his season was one of the most consistent among the squad. Along with Jon Han, they were the only Stags to score a point in every game on the season. He played in 2 less games than his rookie campaign but managed to raise his rebound average by a board a game.

The effects of 2008, would change his entire career and his life. The forward set career bests in almost every offensive category scoring over 13 points per game. He would never dip below double figures at any point in 2008, and tallied 10+ points in 20 of the 28 games that he competed in. Midway through the year he seemed a step slower. He missed a few games for a back injury he sustained throughout the year, but he was able to return for the MAAC tournament.

The game was against Manhattan. After participating in the first tournament win he ever experienced as a Stag, he was unable to recall even playing in it. The Stags entered the first round match-up limping to the finish line. They lost Jon Han afetr the guard left the team, and their future star forward Anthony Johnson was battling for his life with a blood clot on his lung. However, Nero did not want to be another Stag victim. Playing through a case of mono and back pain, he led Fairfield to their first playoff victory in years. However, after that game he did no remember playing in it. He went to the hospital after the contest but was able to return the next day against eventual champion, Siena.

The next summer was filled with hope. Fans were preparing for the return of all the players who fell last season, which included a healthy Greg Nero. However, his desire of playing that year would fall short. Unable to move from his bedside for nearly a year, his basketball play would not be the only aspect on his mind. Instead now he was fighting for his life. He did not have the strength to arise from his bed, nevermind fighting for a loose board. He didn't have the short term memory to recollect a movie he just watched, nevermind memorizing a playbook, or the focus to have a conversation, nevermind playing a complete 40 minutes. Instead he would watch the team or listen to the games on the radio not even able to pick up a basketball.

Until a time when he felt healthy enough to attend a Stag's game. He sat on the bench looking at his teammates when a ball rolled his way. After he picked up the ball he said that it was the first time he touched a basketball in months.

He tried to make a comeback. Risking a relapse he fought to play as a fifth year senior. His teammates raved that during practice it looked like he did not miss a beat. When he first jogged on to the court in the exhibition game against the University of Bridgeport, it was a feel good moment for all. The few fans in attendance gave him the applause that he deserved. From where he was to where he was at that point on the court of the now Webster Bank Arena, a place where he must have felt at home, gave even more hope to one of the most promising years in history. He would play in 8 games in the regular season.

It feel appropiate that his final game for the Stags would come in front of his home crowd on campus at Alumni Hall. It gave his fans a final time to cheer on an athlete that was one of the most dedicated athletes ever to roam the Fairfield campus. He would end his Fairfield career with 945 points, 463 rebounds, 96 assists, and 80 blocks. If he were to finish the year there is no doubt he would have reached his milestones such as 1,000 points scored. He would have his name forever etched on the banner at Alumni Hall. He would be remembered forever. However, he does not need that accomplishment for his character to be remembered. He was one of the most personable and nicest athletes on the team who literally gave the team 110 percent, his entire body.

Whatever he decides to do after he graduates, all he has to remember is that he has changed the character of the Fairfield University basketball program.

Nero NOT Returning

According to the Poughkeepsie Journal, Greg Nero has left the team for health reasons. He says that he does plan to attend school in the spring semester and that his goal from now on is to graduate, he is six credits away from doing so. Nero's last game came at Alumni Hall against Howard. He was averaging over 5 points and 3 rebounds a game.

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.

Stags #22 in Mid Major Poll

In the most recent edition of the College Insider Mid Major Poll, the Fairfield Stags were ranked number 22 with 112 points. The closest MAAC team was Iona who recieved 39 points. The previous week, the Stags failed to rank in the top 25 after starting the year number 10.

Maurice Barrow wins MAAC Rookie of the Week

Fairfield forward Maurice Barrow was named the MAAC Rookie of the week, for the first time in his career. He registered his first career double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds, as he helped the Stags post a 3-0 record against MAAC teams last week. The freshman averaged 8.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Barrow shot 50 percent from the floor (10 of 20) and recorded six assists in the three games.

Fairfield 70 St. Peters 43

The Fairfield University men's basketball team (12-3, 5-0 MAAC) won their 11th straight game blowing out the St. Peters Peacocks (8-8, 3-2 MAAC) at the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard. Click for a full recap and boxscore.

The Least You Should Know:
-Fairfield has won 11 straight games the longest since the 1961-1962 season when the Stags pulled off 13 consecitive victories. It is the eighth longest streak in the nation.

-The Stags are now ranked second in the nation in scoring defense.

-The Peacocks have lost 12 straight games against the Stags and have never beaten Ed Cooley. Despite starting both Ryan Bacon and Wesley Jenkins who were both injured earlier in the week.

-St.Peters was the second to last team to allow 70 points to an opponent. (The Stags have still not allowed that many). Fairfield could have scored more if they kept the pedal to the metal.

-Derek Needham led all scorers with 16 points going to the free throw line 10 times which accounted for half of his points. Ryan Olander recorded his third double double with 15 points and pulling down a game high 12 rebounds.

This was a great game. It is obvious that the team is improving with every game. The defense was spectacular but the Peacocks did miss a lot of easy put backs and close layups. Every time that the Peacocks thought about going through the hole they clogges up the middle and the team was quick recording 8 steals and 7 blocks.

Ryan Olander was a beast on the boards. He made it look easy in this game and got a lot of key rebounds. He would reach for the long rebound and was able to power through to get the close tips. He also DID NOT MISS a shot going 7-7 from the floor and even 1-1 from behind the arc. He had a perfect game and only committed two fouls early in the second half. This was the best that I have ever seen him, he just seemed to play with confidence.

Despite going only 4-12 from the floor and 0-4 from three, Derek Needham looked like last year's version. That was the immediate feeling. He had a 2 to 1 assist to turnover ratio. But what made you the happiest was the way he drove to the hoop and either pulled up for a fading layup or rose above everyone to get a near easy layup. The shots just did not go in. Simple as that. If he continues with the way he played today, his numbers will improve.
Player of the Game: Derek Needham and Ryan Olander. Arguably the best they have both been this year.

Up Next: The Stags will go for 12 in a row as they travel to Loyola University on 1/14.

Marist Scouting Report

Marist enters tonight’s game with a 3-12 overall record and a 2-1 MAAC mark. All three of the team’s wins have come at the McCann Center, sporting a 3-3 mark on its
home court. The Red Foxes own a 0-7 mark in away games and a 0-2 slate in netual games.

The Red Foxes certainly know how to get to the free throw line, averaging better than 20 attempts per game. In their three wins this season, the Red Foxes averaged 35
free throw attempts, as compared to just 15 by the opposition. In the team’s 11 losses, Marist averaged 20 free throw attempts while the opponents averaged 28 charity tosses per game. R.J. Hall brought a streak of 30 consecutive free throws made into the Princeton game.

R.J. Hall dipped below double figures after the Princeton game, but still is the team’s leading scorer at 9.9 points per outing. Candon Rusin is next in line with 9.6points every forty minutes, followed by Sam Prescott’s 8.9 scoring average. Prescott and Rusin account for 61 of the team’s 82 three-point field goals, led by Prescott’s 34 longrange jumpers. Jay Bowie is the team’s top rebounder among starters with 4.5 caroms per contest.

Stags 99th in Nation

The new computer ratings involving the MAAC Conference has been released. Ranking all the teams in the nation finds Rider in first in the MAAC, followed by Iona, and Fairfield at 99 rounding out the top 3.

I agree with the computer ratings as you can argue that Fairfield have two quality wins al year with the road victory at Siena and the home win against Vermont. The cancellation at Florida is a killer because they are more than a quality team and the Stags would be able to see where they stand. They are the last quality non-conference opponent and the rest of the schedule is very weak.

Men’s Basketball Reaches 7 Straight Wins

The Fairfield University's men's basketball team continued to travel on their winning successful ways on Monday as they were victorious for the seventh straight game, the third time they have amassed a winning streak of that many under Coach Cooley. Their latest victim became the Vermont Catamounts, a team that Fairfield lost to a season ago in the annual BracketBuster contest. Although this was a non-conference game, it became a true challenge for the red hot Stags. The first six decisions of the winning streak have had some fans wondering about how legit the triumphs were. The half a dozen wins came against schools whose combined record was 8-38 which including two teams that were yet to show up on the other side of the loss column. Arguably the only 'big' win of the recent swing had been the blowout at Siena. But the Stags were looking for that "quality win."

 

The Vermont Catamounts became what they were searching for. They came into the game ranked 16^th in the Mid-Major Poll and 37^th in the National RPI rankings. "They were tough to prepare for," fifth year head coach Ed Cooley said, "they are a quality opponent."

 

When the Stags started struggling out of the gate, the loaded bandwagon quickly became less packed. Many question marks started to arise such as the injuries to Yorel Hawkins and Warren Edney and the doubt if Ryan Olander can truly be that big presence they desperately need. Those questions were answered on Monday.

 

"Warren and Yorel changed the game," Cooley said. Edney tied for the team lead with 15 points with Hawkins picking up his first double-double of the season recording ten tallies and rebounds. "We had to go out there and match their intensity," Edney said. The senior has reached double figures in almost all of the Stags games despite coming off the bench in the last few as he recovers from minor injuries. Coach Cooley does not care how or when he gets on the court, "I just like Warren there period," he said. "He's an oddball… if he was on a pool table he'd be a different color because when he hits something the whole game changes," Cooley said.

 

Hawkins recorded double figures in points for the fourth time in his past 5 games. It was the first time that both Warren Edney and Yorel Hawkins both ended the game in double digits.

 

The seniors were not the only two to steal the spotlight. Junior Ryan Olander showed that he can be a spark on this team. It has become a play maker who can shift the momentum of the game. The contest was culminated by a highlight reel one handed put-back dunk that he slammed down that brought a buzz to the usually quiet Arena at Harbor Yard. "Coach always says when the shot goes up get to the glass," Olander said. After the years of criticism about his toughness and his strength, Olander is going out there to answer his detractors. "When big guys get it the sky's the limit," Cooley said, "and he's close to getting it…he's going to be a hell of a player."

 

Cooley says the part of the game that the team prides themselves on is their toughness. It is evident if you witness and improved Olander for example. "Our guys lift weights and I don't want them to lift weights just to go to the beach," Cooley said.

 

The month of December was supposed to be the most difficult stretch for this squad. They were opposing two MAAC foes including the defending champions in rival Siena, a top 50 nationally ranked RPI team, and other contests that look like "trap" games. So far they have leaped over every hurtle. But their next game is a mountain. They travel to Gainesville to face the 19^th best team in the nation, Florida. This team has answered every whistle and have really heated up in the cold month of December.

    

Stags win 6 straight

After a 1-3 start to the season, the Fairfield University men's basketball has won six straight games, the first time in nearly 3 years.

The only thing wrong with this winning streak is that 3 of the wins have come against team who were either winless or who have accumulated to only one victory on the season (Savannah State, Howard, and Holy Cross). The game versus Vermont will be a huge test for the team as they are playing their best basketball on the season, and is now playing against big competition.

Fairfield 72 Howard 52

The Fairfield Mens Basketball team (5-3, 1-0) defeated the Howard Bison (1-8) at Alumni Hall last night. It was the team's fourth straight win as the Bison and have now dropped eight consective decisions. View the complete recap and boxscore.

The Least You Should Know:
-Yorel Hawkins had a game high 16 points, the most he has scored all year.

-Derek Needham only had 7 points BUT a season high 13 assists.

-Maurice Barrow had a career game with 10 points and 9 rebounds

-The team shot 51.9 percent from the floor while limiting Howard to a 40 percent margin.

-They did have 9 of their 14 turnovers in the second half.

I really think this is one of the best games that the team has played. The people that you needed to step up really did and Needham finally found that his game is when he dribbles and splits the defenders. Even if he just had 7 points he really took the game over

Up Next:
The Stags travel to Albany to face the Siena Saints on the 10th.

National Rankings

Men's Basketball:
Team out of 336:
Scoring Offense (61.2 PPG) 290th
Scoring Defense (58.6 PPG) 36th
3 Pt Field Goals (4.6 PG) 292nd
3 Pt Pct Defense (30.2%) 101st
Rebound Margin (4.4) 97th

Individual out of 250:
Derek Needham- 3 Pt Field Goals (2.2) 183rd
Ryan Olander- Rebounds (7.4) 171st
Derek Needham- Assits (3.6) 231st
Ryan Olander- Blocked Shots (2.2) 51st
Colin Nickerson- Assist Turnover Ratio (2.5) 61st

Women's Basketball:
Team out of 333:
Scoring Offense (58.4 PPG) 244th
Scoring Defense (47.4 PPG) 12th
3 Pt Field Goals (6.2 PG) 88th
3 Pct Defense (43.7%) 7th
Rebound Margin (2.8) 119th

Individual out of 250:
Katelyn Linney- 3 Pt Field Goals PG (3.8) 3rd
Katelyn Linney- 3 Pt Field Goals Pct (57.6) 5th
Desiree Pina- Assist Turnover Ration (3.0) 15th
Desiree Pina- Assists PG (3.6) 203rd
Laura Vetra- Rebounds PG (7.4) 215th

Savannah State Preview

The Tigers bring a 1-7 overall record into tonight’s game, which includes a 69-64 loss to Stetson University. Savannah State has played a challenging schedule thus far, including a two games in Ohio that involved a two-point setback to 2010 NIT champion University of Dayton. and a 54- 41 loss to the University of Cincinnati.

Savannah State has two double-digit scorers this sea- son, namely Jovonni Shuler (17.3 ppg) and Preston Blackmon (11.7 ppg). Shuler also represents the team’s top three-point threat, averaging 2.5 three pointers per game. He is making nearly 40 percent of his shots from behind the arc.

The Tigers have outscored the opposition in the second half this season, netting 56 percent of their points after intermission. The post halftime percentage includes nine overtime points which the team scored against Mount St. Mary’s.

The opposition has made nearly as many free throws as Savannah State has attempted this year. Opponents made 110 of 165 free throws this year (.667), while the Tigers have gone to the line just 115 times and have made 78 charity tosses (.678).

Fairfield Shooting is Better

The Stags shot a season-best 63 percent from the floor and 62 percent from three-point range against Norfolk State. Before that performance, Fairfield had not shot better than 46 percent in any game this season. The team hit that field goal percentage (.457) against Sacred Heart in the season opener.

And one of those games was against St. Joseph, a team that allowed teams to shoot 48 percent on the floor.