Men's Basketball First Round: Fairfield Stags vs. Loyola Greyhounds

Site: The Arena at Harbor Yard, Bridgeport, Conn.
Time: Saturday, 10 p.m.

FAIRFIELD (13-18, 10-8 MAAC)

Jonathan Han, G, 6-0, So., 7.7 ppg, 140 assists – 10 points, 9 boards, 5 assists last Sunday vs. Saint Peter’s

Mike Van Schaick, G, 6-2, Sr., 15.1 ppg, 58 assists –2007 All-MAAC second team

Devin Johnson, G, 6-7, Fr., 2.5 ppg, 23 assists– Finished season with 22 steals

Anthony Johnson, C, 6-8, Fr., 8.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg – Notched 7 points vs. Peacocks

Greg Nero, F, 6-7, Fr., 9.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg –2007 MAAC All-Rookie

LOYOLA (17-12, 12-6 MAAC)

Gerald Brown, G, 6-4, Jr., 22.1 ppg, 70 assists – 2007 MAAC Player of the Year candidate

Brett Harvey, G, 6-0, Fr., 7.4 ppg, 120 assists – Notched 6 points last Sunday vs. Canisius

Marquis Sullivan, G, 6-1, So., 13.2 ppg, 27 assists – 2007 All-MAAC third team

Omari Isreal, F, 6-8, Jr., 9.3 ppg, 6.o rpg – Team-high 13 points vs. Fairfield in last outing

Josko Alujevic, F, 6-7, Sr., 8.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg – 9 points, 5 boards on Sunday

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

GREYHOUND GROWLS: The Greyhounds played well throughout the whole year, only getting swept once – by Fairfield in early February. The second loss, at home, especially stung. After that, Loyola went on to win three of its last four conference games. Look for the Greyhounds to be on the prowl, ready to play with intensity for the entire game.

FAIRFIELD FIRE: While the Stags lost two out of their last three MAAC games, they finished the regular season with authority, coming from behind to beat St. Peter’s. The fire, the will to win, is there – especially in the seniors, who have stepped up tremendously for Fairfield. Look for the Stags to build off last game’s strong play and come at the Greyhounds with all they have.

-Frank Romano