I had the opportunity to cover Fairfield University’s BracketBuster game against Austin Peay on Saturday afternoon at Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard, so I went over there and took in my first Stags game of the year.
I wouldn’t say that I was overtly impressed with the way that Fairfield played despite its 76-69 win over the Governors. However, that could be the story of the Stags season so far. Outside of point guard Derek Needham, who is likely the favorite for MAAC player of the year, the Stags don’t really have anyone who jumps out at you.
Fairfield is tough up front, Ryan Olander, Maurice Barrow and Yorel Hawkins are all good sized forwards. Austin Peay head coach Dave Loos said that the Stags’ size advantage was evident in preparation for Saturday’s game.
The game was by no means pretty. Needham did not by any means have even a good day shooting on Saturday, he was 6-17, and Fairfield seemed to have trouble closing out on Austin Peay’s best player, Tyshwan Edmondson, who scored 29 points. However, Olander chipped in 11 points and junior Colin Nickerson gave the Stags 17 points, eight rebounds and seven steals off of the bench and Fairfield found the way to close the game.
Stags’ coach Ed Cooley seemed overjoyed by the victory, calling it a “program win.” I don’t know that I’d agree with that, but Fairfield is gaining clout in the college basketball community. ESPN’s Andy Katz told the Post’s Bill Paxton and myself that should Fairfield win the MAAC Tournament, a 14-seed should be awaiting it.
I think a 22-5 team that wins its conference regular season (a very good conference at that) and conference tournament should garner a high seed. Siena won the MAAC two years ago and was a nine-seed. However, Fairfield still needs to win its conference tournament to get to the NCAA tournament.
This is the year that it all seems to line up for the Stags. The conference tournament is in their home arena, the league is down, and Fairfield is good. If the Stags don’t do it this year, I don’t know when they will. Cooley said that winning the conference’s regular season, and an automatic bid into the NIT, is not the team’s goal and nor should it be.
It’s NCAA or bust.
I was at the game as well and generally agree with you. The Stags started very slowly and the 1st quarter was missed shots and no rebounding. They did pick it up and Derek did just make it to his avg pts/game. But AP is ranked 147th v. Fairfield’s 90th by Sagarin. But that’s what Fairfield does, builds up a lead mid-way through the second half and then hangs on to win. Instead of blowing teams out, they do just enough to win. And to scare me half-to-death.
I think you guys are all missing my point. I’m not saying that next year won’t be an opportunity for Fairfield to win the MAAC or reach the NCAAs. I’m saying that it all seems to be shaking out for Fairfield to do so this year.
The team can sleep in its own beds during the conference tournament. It’ll have a home-court advantage (assuming kids show up for the games) AND the Stags are the best team.
pat
your lack of research is showing.
a good team can win, if the game is played on the moon.
springfield could become the moon for the second straight year.
Nickerson’s performance did jump out at me. But even Austin Peay’s coach said he didn’t expect that. He’s come on of late, but he’s not someone that Fairfield currently can count on.
I realize that Cooley has built a terrific program, one that is built to last in the MAAC. This won’t be the Stags’ only year to get to the NCAAs. But EVERYTHING is lined up for Fairfield this year. Next year the conference tournament will be in Springfield, and you can bet that traditional powers in the league (Siena, Niagara) won’t be as bad as they are this year.
In my years of following college basketball, I’ve come to learn that you have to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves. This year is a tremendous opportunity for Fairfield.
If we don’t it now you dont know if we will ever? Thats pretty funny considering we have 3 players coming in next year 6-7, 6-8 and 6-11. We have two transfers one the star from BC Rakim Sanders who will score 17-20 a game on a consistent basis and a Point Guard who is coming from a Houston program that he led to the NCAA tournament last year who is lightening quick with the best ball handling and passing in the MAAC by far. Get your research up for coming to your first game and get acclimated with the Stags because they are around now and for the next few years.
Also how did Nickerson’s near triple-double not jump out at you?