Men's Basketball Capsule: A preview of the Fairfield vs. Boston College game

This Wednesday, the Stags square off against ACC powerhouse Boston College at 7 pm in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Fairfield has a 2-8 overall record, while the Eagles are 4-2.

So far this season for B.C., multiple players have led the offense. Chief among them is Jared Dudley, averaging 19.0 points per game.

Four other players are currently averaging double figures in points—some guys can flat out score. The Eagles have netted more than 80 points in three of their six games.

That does not mean they are unstoppable however. A mid-November loss to Vermont showed B.C.’s vulnerable side. Later that month, the Eagles dropped another one to Providence.

To win, Fairfield will need to generate more offense than it has in the past. Up until now, the Stags have shown a lot of intensity on defense, especially with rebounding. A main problem has not been the type of plays, but rather, their execution.

The Stags have generated some stellar fast breaks coupled with drives to the basket in their last few games, but have not been able to put the ball in the hoop on a consistent basis.

Nonetheless, given the team’s relatively young age, the squad has really shown a lot of promise.

Most notably, Fairfield dominated American University on the boards and came close to out-rebounding the Hoyas, 23 to 24.

Coming into Wednesday’s game for the Stags, freshman F Greg Nero continues to lead the squad with a team-high 13.4 points per game.

Senior Mike Van Schaick is right behind him with 11.6, thanks to a breakout performance this past Saturday versus St. Francis, when he scored 19 points.

Fellow-senior Marty O’Sullivan currently leads the team on the boards, averaging 6.5 rebounds per game.

The Stags will have to fend off Dudley and B.C.’s other big men. If they play as well as they did against the Hoyas, who had a 7’2” guy, they will be in good shape.

Another key to success will be staying out of foul trouble—something Anthony Johnson, Nero and O’Sullivan have gotten into early on in several games this season.

In their histories, B.C. and Fairfield have faced each other 35 times. This Wednesday’s matchup however, is the first under Head Coach Ed Cooley. The Eagles lead the series, 25 games to 10.

-Frank Romano