The best defense is a good offense:
The Stags’ offense has been good enough to win games during the seven-game streak. While there is still room for improvement (Fairfield is in eighth place in the MAAC in scoring, averaging 61.2 points per game) the Stags have come through on the offensive end when they need to. Michael Van Schaick continues to lead the team in scoring with 14.5 points per game, but the rest of the team is still inconsistent. The team is growing more comfortable in Head Coach Ed Cooley’s offense and should continue to improve with each game.
Grade: C+
When the offense fails, rely on the defense:
The Stags’ defense has been solid all year long and during the past two games it has been the defense that has led the way. Fairfield remains the top team in the MAAC in scoring defense, allowing 64.3 points per game. The Stags held Loyola’s Gerald Brown, the eighth leading scorer in the country, to just 13 points, well under his season average of 22.5 points.
Grade: A
Teach the intangibles:
Throughout the winning streak the Stags have done the little things effectively to win games. Cooley has emphasized the importance of rebounding and not turning the ball over all season and finally the Stags are doing what Cooley wants them to. Fairfield out-rebounded Loyola by seven boards.
Grade: B+
Overall: A-
The Stags have found what it takes to win games when they need to. Against Loyola in one of the biggest games of the year, Fairfield fought back from a 14 point deficit to win by three.
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