Connors Corner: January 30

The Week Ahead for Fairfield Men's Basketball (Jan. 30 Edition)

Last week, we dared to make the statement that the Stags had finally acquired some much needed momentum.

This week, it's not even a discussion.

After Sunday's dismantling of a talented Niagara team, Faifield's finally found "Uncle 'Mo". The Stags have won five straight games, ending January on the most impressive of streaks. At one point, Fairfield shared the cellar of the MAAC with the likes of St. Peter's and Iona; now, they're right in the middle of the hunt and can taste the top five.

Things did get a little crazy at times. An 0-19 (at the time) Iona team took Cooley and crew to the brink on Tuesday. It was heroics from senior Mamadou Diakhate that saved Fairfield in an overtime victory.

A few days after their win over the Gaels, the Stags took down St. Peter's, 66-58.

While the Peacocks are far from a powerhouse, don't underestimate the importance of this win. Aside from keeping the streak alive, they established that they are now a winning team. As the saying does, "good teams win the games they're supposed to win".

On Sunday, the Stags came out flying and impressed the Fairfield faithful with a statement win against the Purple Eagles of Niagara.

After the Peter's game, Cooley stressed defense. Apparently the Stags got the message. A team that had averaged 74.5 points per game finished with a meager 56. They only shot 33% from the field.

Despite the streak, the Stags currently find themselves facing a team that is as hot (if not hotter) as themselves.

Canisius is on quite a role lately. While their latest victory against Iona was dominant , the Golden Griffs most telling victories were against Marist and Manhattan, who both sit atop the MAAC standings as we speak.

The doubters will say that Canisius' recent string of successes is more impressive. In my eyes, a win is a win, especially considering Fairfield already holds one victory over the Griffins this season. The Stags can shut up a lot of people with a road victory in Buffalo on Friday.

A victory that would be extremely important, since they'll return home on Saturday preparing to face the MAAC's elite (four games against Marist and Loyola (Md.)) in the most important month of the season.

Let the stretch run begin.

Quick hits:

• Michael Van Schaick was named MAAC Men's Basketball co-player of the week on Sunday evening. Congrats to Shake on the well deserved award. He has been an integral part of the Stags success this year, on and off the court. The kid is always working hard; he's a regular for staying late in the gym to shoot extra free throws. Someone close to the team said it best: "He's the first in, and he's the last out".
• The Stags finally got their mystery ESPN BracketBuster opponent for February 17th on Tuesday afternoon.
• With both teams on impressive January win streaks, it's tough to decipher what advantage each school has heading in. For Fairfield, it's an impressive come-from-behind win earlier this season. For Canisius? Two words: Bob Saget.
• Quote o' the week: "Nah, I knew (that) I missed it. It was a (alley) oop to Shake." - Anthony Johnson on his missed dunk.

- Keith Connors