Post by FU73 on Mar 11, 2014 20:42:13 GMT -5
6. 1996-97 Fairfield Stags - Final Record: 11-19; Strength of Schedule: 172
Recording their third win just four games in to start 3-1, the Fairfield Stags would struggle the rest of the 1996-97 regular season going 5-17 from that point forward to finish 8-18. Ending the season with two wins in their final 10 games and having just lost three straight, it seemed as if the Stags were already looking toward future seasons. However, Fairfield had different plans in the MAAC Tournament, first by beating 22-6 league favorite Iona 80-71, then getting past St. Peter’s 73-61 and finally beating tournament host Canisius 78-72. The Stags’ play earned a date with No. 1 seeded North Carolina, who they actually competed with quite well losing by less than 10 points 82-74. In fact, the Connecticut-based school played the eventual Final Four squad to closer margins than two other North Carolina tournament opponents, Colorado (17 points in the round of 32) and Louisville (23 points in the round of 8). The Stags have yet to return to the NCAA Tournament since that 1996-97 season and are currently having their worst season in program history with only six wins thus far in 2013-14.
Recording their third win just four games in to start 3-1, the Fairfield Stags would struggle the rest of the 1996-97 regular season going 5-17 from that point forward to finish 8-18. Ending the season with two wins in their final 10 games and having just lost three straight, it seemed as if the Stags were already looking toward future seasons. However, Fairfield had different plans in the MAAC Tournament, first by beating 22-6 league favorite Iona 80-71, then getting past St. Peter’s 73-61 and finally beating tournament host Canisius 78-72. The Stags’ play earned a date with No. 1 seeded North Carolina, who they actually competed with quite well losing by less than 10 points 82-74. In fact, the Connecticut-based school played the eventual Final Four squad to closer margins than two other North Carolina tournament opponents, Colorado (17 points in the round of 32) and Louisville (23 points in the round of 8). The Stags have yet to return to the NCAA Tournament since that 1996-97 season and are currently having their worst season in program history with only six wins thus far in 2013-14.