Monday, January 28, 2008

Scoutin' the Stags: Jan. 29th

Last Time Out:
When we last saw the Fairfield Men's Basketball team, we saw a focused, determined squad take the floor against Niagara - and, for 37 minutes, played with one of the best team's in the conference. The last three minutes, though, were a far different story. The inconsistency that has plagued Fairfield for so much of the season reared its ugly head. Said head coach Ed Cooley, "We showed our youth. They were men, we were babies". The end result: Niagara sweats out a win, 73-61.

The Week Ahead:
  • Once again, neither the Men or the Women play in any games during the week. However, Both teams return to action on Friday night, February 1st.
  • Sabra Wrice and the Stags look to get back on track following a MAAC loss to underrated Iona. On Friday night, the Stags face Niagara at 7p.m. from Alumni Hall.
  • Joe Frager and the Women's Basketball team continues their week with an afternoon home game against Canisius.
  • For the boys, Jon Han and the Stags look to get back on track in a trip to western New York. On Friday evening, Fairfield takes on Canisius in the team's second meeting in a one-week span.
  • Then, on Super Bowl Sunday, the Stags continue their Buffalo trip and will look to avenge a difficult loss by taking down Charron Fisher and the Niagara Purple Eagles. Tip-off is scheduled for 2p.m.
MAAC Game of the Week
Marist was an early-season selection for a let-down in 2008. With Jared Jordan and a talented senior class leaving, assumptions were that a repeat of 2007's success would be a difficult task. Yet, here we are, one season later, and the Red Foxes are once again on top of the MAAC standings. As of January 28th, the Red Foxes led the MAAC in RPI. On Wednesday night (Jan. 30), freshman sensation Jay Gavin faces arguably the biggest test of the season, as the Red Foxes face Rider. Lost in the hoopla on a talented Siena team and another stunning run from Marist, the Broncs are 8-2 in the MAAC, tied for tops in the conference. Last time these two met, it was a nail-biter in Trenton that the Red Foxes won by a point. Will Rider return the favor?

A busy, busy weekend for Niagara is on the way. First, the Purple Eagles host Loyola (Md.) in a battle of two teams that seem to be finally hitting their stride. Niagara took down St. Peter's and Fairfield over the weekend to end their snide, but will be tested by a hungry Greyhounds team that has won five of its last six games. Then, Ed Cooley and his physical Stags team come to town one week after letting a tight game get away in the waning minutes. This weekend could be a pivotal point in the season for Joe Mihalich and his Purple Eagles, especially if they have hopes of matching last season's success.

- Keith Connors

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