Fairfield University Men's Basketball will play eight games on campus on George Bisacca Court at Alumni Hall this season, in addition to five contests at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport. Game times for every men's and women's basketball home game have also been announced.
Fairfield's eight games at Alumni Hall include seven MAAC contests – Manhattan, Saint Peter's, Canisius, Niagara, Siena, Quinnipiac and Rider – in addition to the Dec. 8 meeting with William & Mary of the CAA. The Stags will host Bucknell, UMass, Marist, Monmouth and Iona at Webster Bank Arena.
Last season, the Stags played in front of two sell-out crowds on campus as 2,479 fans packed Alumni Hall to see Fairfield knock off conference foes Iona and Marist.
"Our campus came alive with excitement and positive energy when our men's basketball team played at Alumni Hall last season," said Director of Athletics Paul Schlickmann. "We are thrilled to be able to bring eight games to campus for our fans – students, alumni, and the local community – this coming season while also continuing our partnership with Webster Bank Arena for our fans and supporters in Bridgeport."
Assuming all home games are played during good weather conditions (of course an assumption that will not hold true)-- I'm guessing the weekday game against Marist on January 8 at WBA will have the lowest attendance of any home game this season. It's during semester break and neither team is expected to do well in the league (at least from the preseason college basketball magazines). I realize we need to stay on good terms with WBA since we have to play all our home games there during the construction of the convocation center but when you look at all the WBA games -- that game sort of jumps out and makes me wonder why??? play that one at WBA.
OTOH, if we do put together a good, exciting, winning team -- those last three home games against Siena, QU, and Rider might be tough for folks to get tickets to. All three teams are expected to do well in the MAAC and I'd have to assume they will be the last three home games ever to be played in Alumni Hall for men's basketball.
Assuming all home games are played during good weather conditions (of course an assumption that will not hold true)-- I'm guessing the weekday game against Marist on January 8 at WBA will have the lowest attendance of any home game this season. It's during semester break and neither team is expected to do well in the league (at least from the preseason college basketball magazines). I realize we need to stay on good terms with WBA since we have to play all our home games there during the construction of the convocation center but when you look at all the WBA games -- that game sort of jumps out and makes me wonder why??? play that one at WBA.
OTOH, if we do put together a good, exciting, winning team -- those last three home games against Siena, QU, and Rider might be tough for folks to get tickets to. All three teams are expected to do well in the MAAC and I'd have to assume they will be the last three home games ever to be played in Alumni Hall for men's basketball.
I think a lot of it has to do with available dates and the minimum number of games we needed to commit to keep our relationship with the arena.
What will be interesting is what happens after the new CC is built. How many dates will be at WBA and does our branding come down off the arena? Does the Stags Club become the Pioneer Club as their hockey games are played there? But, SHU is building a sports complex on the GE property. Does anyone know the configuration or timetable for that project?
Sounds like in 3-4 years the WBA may have a lot of dates up for grabs. Wonder what the FU agreement is through 2021-22.
WBA could be a better experience than it is now. Over the years it went downhill. They gouged their customers on parking, beverages and food. Very outdated spartan corridors. Food choices were sketchy. Like anything, they need to listen to customers.
Paul Schlickmann was appointed Athletic Director in the Summer of 2017 before the 2017-18 basketball season started and plans for the new AH Convocation Center were unveiled on September 6, 2019.
Stag Men's Basketball games at the WBA 2015-16 - 12 2016-17 - 12 2017-18 - 12 2018-19 - 5 2019-20 - 5
Stag Women's Basketball games at the WBA 2015-16 - 3 2016-17 - 2 2017-18 - 1 2018-19 - 1 (double header with men) 2019-20 - 0
Now whether the Stags "officially" started practice yesterday I'm not sure. NCAA rules are always changing from year to year and are quite often hard to interpret, but my understanding is that all the schools are given a certain hard limit in the number of days their complete squad of players and coaches can be on the court together before the start of the season which happens to be November 5th for many teams, not counting closed "secret" scrimmages or exhibition games against non D-1 programs, two being the total max there. But with that said actually all the teams have been working out together throughout much of the summer in some way, again with certain restrictions that only the NCAA in their infinite wisdom seems to understand. (I hope no one's cheating). Anyway I'm surely looking forward to the Red-White scrimmage in October, certainly an event that will be totally legal in the eyes of the sport's ruling body (I think)!
Men’s Basketball Red/White Scrimmage Get an inside look at our Men’s Basketball team as they participate in some friendly competition during their annual scrimmage!
Saturday, October 19, 2019 4:00 p.m - 5:00 p.m. at Alumni Hall, George Bisacca Court.
Post by nashvillestag on Sept 25, 2019 15:38:26 GMT -5
79 from your posted photos of practice it looks like we have a player (#4) who is not listed on the official roster. Walk-on I'm sure, I hope in a pinch he can handle the ball, something we possibly could use at times given our short supply of guards. Anyone know who that is or where he is from?
So just for the heck of it. Excluding walk-ons, wearing red practice jerseys are Eze, Benning, Taliaferro, Cruz, Omar. Is that the starting five as of now? Maybe Maidoh had red too before he took the jersey off.
Also can see that Aidas is not practicing based on this pic.
Last Edit: Sept 25, 2019 16:02:18 GMT -5 by stag79
So just for the heck of it. Excluding walk-ons, wearing red practice jerseys are Eze, Benning, Taliaferro, Cruz, Omar. Is that the starting five as of now? Maybe Maidoh had red too before he took the jersey off.
Also can see that Aidas is not practicing based on this pic.
I also notice the words...... "Defend, Rebound, Win". And does that Saying mean Cruz and Taliafero will be at the 2G and 3G.
Last Edit: Sept 25, 2019 16:37:54 GMT -5 by JoeStag