Every year, fans eagerly wait to see what out-of-conference opponents the men’s and women’s basketball teams will face in the late fall. With a mix of challenging major conference teams and fellow mid-majors, the basketball schedules are always filled with exciting matchups.
Men’s basketball Head Coach Ed Cooley continues his tradition of facing difficult teams before starting MAAC play in order to prepare his team for what is a grueling conference schedule.
‘I believe this year’s schedule will provide us with a range of opponents that will challenge us throughout the season,’ Cooley said in a press conference. ‘With a combined winning percentage of .600, our opponents will comprise one of the most competitive non-conference opponents in recent history.’
The Stags begin the season with a game at Memphis on Nov. 15, which lost in the national championship game against Kansas last year. The game is a part of the 2008 Puerto Rico Tip-Off tournament, which will be played the next week, from Nov. 20-23. Other teams in the tournament include Chattanooga, Virginia Tech, Missouri, Xavier and Seton Hall.
In between those games, the Stags renew their rivalry with neighboring Sacred Heart on Nov. 18. Fairfield also takes on in-state rivals UConn on Dec. 26 at Storrs. Other games include away games at Holy Cross (Dec. 1), Fordham (Dec. 11) and Army (Jan. 26). The Stags also face American (Nov. 29) and Drexel (Dec. 14).
In Head Coach Joe Frager’s second season the schedule has grown slightly tougher.
‘I think we have put together a very challenging non-conference schedule,’ said Frager. ‘In addition, playing some top-notch teams that have postseason experience will help us prepare for our tournament action at season’s end.’
Fairfield opens the season with two home games against Villanova (Nov. 17) and Sacred Heart (Nov. 22).
The rest of the non-conference season comes on the road, starting with a return trip to the UNC-Asheville tournament on Nov. 14-15, won by the Stags last season. Fairfield will face UNC-Asheville and then either Morgan State or William ‘amp; Mary.
The Stags also travel to IPFW (Nov. 26), Cornell (Dec. 1), Mount St. Mary’s (Dec. 10), Maine (Dec. 21), and Wagner (Dec. 29).
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