For the first time since the 2002-03 season and for only the ninth time in its history, the Fairfield University men’s basketball team will play in the postseason.
But it’s not the NCAA or NIT.
The Stags (22-10) will play George Mason (17-14) of the Colonial League in the opening round of the College Insider Tournament (CIT) Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va.
The Stags had been crossing their fingers that their current RPI rating of 82 and the fact that they not only reached the MAAC conference tournament finals but took Siena to overtime (on the Saints home floor) might be enough to sway the NIT selection committee. Unfortunately, it wasn’t.
“I was a little upset that we weren’t even really discussed or thought of by the NIT committee because I thought the kids played really well down the stretch,” Stags coach Ed Cooley said by phone late Sunday night. “But we’re excited to keep playing and excited to be playing in the CIT.”
While Fairfield surged down the stretch, winning six of its last eight, George Mason struggled. The Patriots lost seven of their last nine games, including a 75-60 loss to Virginia Commonwealth in the opening round of the Colonial Conference tournament on March 6.
Fairfield, ranked No. 24 in this week’s College Insider.com Mid-Major Top 25 poll, posted 20-plus wins for only the fifth time ever in school history. The Stags finished second in the MAAC regular season standings (13-5) and advanced to the MAAC tournament championship, losing to Siena, 72-65.
Freshman guard Derek Needham led the Stags in scoring, averaging 16.3 points and 5.15 assists to capture the MAAC’s Rookie of the Year Award. Senior forward Anthony Johnson was second with an average of 15.7 points a game. He also averaged 9.9 rebounds and was a member of the All-MAAC first team.
Fairfield has been to five previous NIT tournaments (1973, ’74, ‘78, ‘96 and 2003) and to three NCAA tournaments (1986, ‘87, ‘97).
Here’s what was on the George Mason basketball website:
The George Mason men’s basketball team will take part in the second annual CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) as the Patriots will host a first round game on March 16 at Patriot Center against Fairfield. The game will be played at 7 p.m.
“With 10 players in the freshman and sophomore class, it is important for our young team to gain the experience that only a postseason tournament can provide,” said men’s basketball head coach Jim Larranaga. “The CIT presents us with an excellent opportunity to give our players a taste of the postseason.”
Mason is 17-14 this year despite being one of the 25 youngest teams in the nation, in terms of minutes played by class. The Patriots have one senior, two juniors, three sophomores and seven freshmen. Five different freshmen have started for the Patriots this season. Mason opened the year with a 10-1 mark in the CAA, the best-ever start to conference play in school history, before finishing the season tied for third in the regular-season standings. Mason fell to VCU in the CAA Tournament Quarterfinals.
All tickets are available for just $10. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling TicketMaster at 703 573-SEAT. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Patriot Center Box Office.
