Good that we’re getting an opportunity to see how the team performs against a quality opponent before the season opener at Wake Forest. Also, great that it raises funds for a good cause.
Last Edit: Sept 16, 2022 13:00:30 GMT -5 by stag76
Fairfield University Men's Basketball will visit Rutgers for an exhibition game on Sunday, Oct. 30 at the 8,000 seat Jersey Mike's Arena in Piscataway, NJ at 1 p.m.. In collaboration with Rutgers football legend Eric LeGrand, all net proceeds from the game will go to support Team LeGrand of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.
"We are excited to work with Coach Young and the Fairfield men's basketball program for such a great initiative started by a Rutgers legend in supporting Team LeGrand of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation," Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell said. "Not only do we have the opportunity to prepare for the highly anticipated 2022-23 season against great competition, but both communities will come together to support a cause that is close to all of our hearts on Oct. 30. Coach Young is a forever member of our extended basketball family."
"We are proud to partner with Rutgers men's basketball in support of Team LeGrand and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation," Fairfield Head Coach Jay Young said. "Eric's journey is a story of courage and perseverance, and he is truly an inspiration to all. We are proud to assist Team LeGrand's work in the discovery of treatments and cures for spinal cord injuries. I want to thank Coach Pikiell for giving us the opportunity to compete against a talented Rutgers team in a game for such a great cause."
Public on-sale date for tickets to the Oct. 30 game is set for Thursday, Sept. 22 on a first come, first serve basis. Fans can sit courtside at Jersey Mike's Arena for the price of $52, the number that LeGrand wore as a member of the Scarlet Knights football team for three seasons (2008-10). 100 level seating including the lobby and floor loge sections of Jersey Mike's Arena will be priced at $20 per ticket. General admission for the event is priced at $5 and will only be available at the Jersey Mike's Arena ticket booth.
Fans may contact the Rutgers Athletics Ticket Office for more information. The Rutgers Athletic Ticket Office at Jersey Mike's Arena will be closed until further notice. Please call 866-445-GORU (4678) during office hours, 9AM to 5PM, Monday through Friday to speak with a Rutgers representative.
When we play Rutgers, returning players for us from last season will be familiar with a player on the Rutgers team. Cam Spencer scored 20 points against us for Loyola MD in their 75-70 victory in Bridgeport last season. In the offseason, he transferred from Loyola to Rutgers.
When we play Rutgers, returning players for us from last season will be familiar with a player on the Rutgers team. Cam Spencer scored 20 points against us for Loyola MD in their 75-70 victory in Bridgeport last season. In the offseason, he transferred from Loyola to Rutgers.
He was the guy we couldn't stop and therefore was the difference in the game. Outstanding player at the mid D-1 level. Athletically, will he be ready for Big 10 competition? Not sure, but certainly as an opponent to the Stags he will (again) be tough to stop.
When we play Rutgers, returning players for us from last season will be familiar with a player on the Rutgers team. Cam Spencer scored 20 points against us for Loyola MD in their 75-70 victory in Bridgeport last season. In the offseason, he transferred from Loyola to Rutgers.
He was the guy we couldn't stop and therefore was the difference in the game. Outstanding player at the mid D-1 level. Athletically, will he be ready for Big 10 competition? Not sure, but certainly as an opponent to the Stags he will (again) be tough to stop.
Rutgers also signed a player that we were involved with (Derek Simpson) so it will be interesting to see how he, in addition to Spencer, adjusts to that level. In this day and age of numerous transfers, it's also interesting to keep an eye on the guys you were after, given you never know who may end on your roster a couple of years down the road.
I hope Cook and Maidoh can hold their own against Omoruyi (he's a beast).
Last Edit: Oct 2, 2022 10:10:26 GMT -5 by vastagman
Gabrielle's Sports Bar where we met the last time we played Rutgers (with Ed Cooley) is still there. A good place for pre game meeting. www.gabrielesbarandgrill.com/
Cam is actually the 2nd member of his family to transfer from Loyola to a Big Ten school for basketball. His older brother, Pat, played lacrosse at Loyola for four years then transferred to Northwestern for a postgrad year where he started 29 of the 31 games for the Wildcats. Pat Spencer recently signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Golden State Warriors.
Ah yes…good opponent! Up against the coach we should have offered, maybe would have had, if Syd had been cut loose earlier.
Haters gonna hate
Who knows who we could have had. And when you talk about coaching careers, Pikiell's first three years at Stony Brook as a D-1 coach weren't so hot (20/67). So while acknowledging the excellence that Steve has become at Rutgers, nevertheless I think all new guys should get a chance to evolve a bit before final judgment is made on whether they are any good or not. In the case of Jay Young, TBD of course. And now that his team is made up of all HIS players for the first time, that judgement will start to come more into play. Hopefully his career will involve at the same pace as Pikiell thereby making the decision to hire Jay look good when we look back. Tough bar to match though (when compared to Steve), that's for sure.
Last Edit: Oct 2, 2022 9:15:15 GMT -5 by nashvillestag
I’m not a Syd hater. He had my support for several years until it was obvious he wasn’t the answer despite bringing in a few good players. I did not think he earned his extensions but Gene was giving him every benefit of a doubt hoping for some Cooley magic. I do feel Pikiell would have been a great fit for us two or three years before Rutgers came calling. He wanted to return to his CT home, had a Catholic HS background and UConn pedigree and could recruit. At the time Syd was hanging by a thread, Fairfield looked like a step up from Stony Brook. Who knows? We would not have kept him very long in any case because he had aspirations and talent. I’m not a Jay hater either BTW.
In a few days we’ll have our first look at this year’s team. Here’s some of the things I’ll be looking for in Sunday’s exhibition game:
How well do Caleb and Leach handle PG duties? Did AJR and Long really improve in the ways Jay has stated in preseason interviews? How well does our frontcourt do against a Big Ten frontcourt on both ends of the floor? Are Goodine and Johns more talented than the typical newcomer to the team based on the # of stars the recruiting services gave them during their prep days? Who gets more playing time than expected? How well does the team play together, especially considering the departures of Taj, Jesus, and Green who were all major contributors on last year’s team?
In a few days we’ll have our first look at this year’s team. Here’s some of the things I’ll be looking for in Sunday’s exhibition game:
How well do Caleb and Leach handle PG duties? Did AJR and Long really improve in the ways Jay has stated in preseason interviews? How well does our frontcourt do against a Big Ten frontcourt on both ends of the floor? Are Goodine and Johns more talented than the typical newcomer to the team based on the # of stars the recruiting services gave them during their prep days? Who gets more playing time than expected? How well does the team play together, especially considering the departures of Taj, Jesus, and Green who were all major contributors on last year’s team?
All important things to look for, I agree. And I would add one other. Does Wojcik look like he is going to have a year more like 2020-21 rather than something similar to the production he put up last season? He hitting shots and therefore restoring his confidence could make a huge difference!
In a few days we’ll have our first look at this year’s team. Here’s some of the things I’ll be looking for in Sunday’s exhibition game:
How well do Caleb and Leach handle PG duties? Did AJR and Long really improve in the ways Jay has stated in preseason interviews? How well does our frontcourt do against a Big Ten frontcourt on both ends of the floor? Are Goodine and Johns more talented than the typical newcomer to the team based on the # of stars the recruiting services gave them during their prep days? Who gets more playing time than expected? How well does the team play together, especially considering the departures of Taj, Jesus, and Green who were all major contributors on last year’s team?
All important things to look for, I agree. And I would add one other. Does Wojcik look like he is going to have a year more like 2020-21 rather than something similar to the production he put up last season? He hitting shots and therefore restoring his confidence could make a huge difference!
I expect that with less pressure on Wojcik to be a go to scorer he will have a better season. I think he can hit the wide open three, too often last year he was forced into quick shots or attempting shots that were not in his skillset. I think we have a lot more scoring options at guard this year and am hopeful the offense will flow for the first time in the young era.
