Fairfield – Niagara Early Edition Game Notes ♫ 23-24 - 220

[reindeerfan]

Early Edition Game Notes is intended to be fun, informative and sometime irreverent way to look at the numbers, but if you take this stuff too seriously you are cautioned against reading any further. Please proceed at your own risk!
PLEASE DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON’T HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR! .

Fairfield – Niagara Early Edition Game Notes ♫ 23-24 - 220
Fairfield University (15-9, 9-4 MAAC) VS Niagara (12-11, 8-5 MAAC)
Friday, February 16, 2024, 7:00
Leo D. Mahoney Arena, Fairfield, CT
LAST TIME OUT
Fairfield completed the season sweep of Saint Peter's 64-62 in a contest that came down to the final possession. A St. Peter's lay-up attempt bounced off the rim as the Stags held on to a precarious 2 point win. Caleb Fields and Jalen Leach paced the Fairfield scoring with 17 points apiece. Fields' four three-pointers helped him maintain his spot as the conference leader in this category. Leach supplemented his 17-point day with a game-best seven rebounds. James Johns Jr. joined them in double figures with 11 points. Among the other scorers were Jasper Floyd with nine points, along Birima Seck and Louis Bleechmore with five points each.

The Stags trailed by as many as 11 points but strung together a 11-0 run to tie the game late in the first half. But Saint Peter's struck last to regain its lead and bring a 36-33 edge into the locker room. In the second half, the Stag broke away from the Peacocks leading by 9 points with 3:18 remaining. But an impressive 8-1 Peacocks run shrank the margin to two points(61-59). in the final minute. Leach staked the Stags to some breathing room with a 2-for-2 trip to the line, but Saint Peter's answered with a three-point play to cut the Fairfield lead to 63-62. On the inbounds pass, James Johns was fouled. Johns went 1-2 giving the Stags a 2 point lead. With 4.6 seconds remaining the Peacocks got a good look following a timeout, but Michael Houge's contested layup rimmed out and Leach pulled down the carom as time expired.
SERIES HISTORY
The Purple Eagles have gotten the best of the Stags over the years, with Niagara holding a 48-37 series advantage. While the teams have played fairly evenly over the past 10 games, Niagara owns a 7-3 record in those contests after winning the last three games. Fairfield’s loss earlier this season at Niagara, is a game many consider to be the Stags worst performance of the season. Fairfield came out cold and was never really in a game the Purple Eagles won going away 96-72. The teams have met 5 times in MAAC tournament play with Fairfield holding a 4-1 advantage in those contests.
MEMORABLE GAMES
Perhaps the most memorable recent game between these squads took place on 2/21/2020 when the Stags overcame a double-digit deficit to defeat Niagara. With 11:01 remaining in the second half, a pair of James Towns free throws game Niagara a 10-point lead. Fairfield closed the gap, still trailing by a score of 60-56 with 1:03 remaining when Landon Taliaferro hit an extremely long range trey to bring Fairfield within a point at 60-59. Following a Niagara miss and a Jesus Cruz rebound, with no time-outs remaining, Taj Benning took control converting on a running one-hander with 11 second remaining to lift Fairfield to a 61-60 victory over Niagara at Alumni Hall.
ABOUT THE PURPLE EAGLES
» Niagara has won 9 of its last 12 games, with solid wins over Iona, SPU, Rider and Fairfield. Despite the good run, they had a horrific home loss to Siena yielding 93 points to the anemic Saints offense. They also lost at home to Manhattan. Niagara looks to complete the season sweep of Fairfield
» Niagara is coming off a loss to Iona 74-71. In the season split with the Gaels, each game was decided by one possession.
» Niagara has had three or more players record double-digits in points every game this season.
» Niagara leads the MAAC in bench scoring (27.55), field goal percentage (47.6), 3-point field goal percentage (38.0), and second in the league in turnovers per game (11.2), and third in assist/turnover ratio (1.15).
» Four Purple Eagles are averaging over 10 points per game heading into Thursday night, led by Ahmad Henderson II 13.3 points per game.
» Senior Braxton Bayless is averaging 12.7 points per game off the bench in league play this season with a career-high 22 points scored at Iona earlier this season, to go along with 13 points in last weeks contest.
The Purple Eagles had a buy last weekend, they will be well rested as they play Fairfield for their first game in 8 days.
TRIVIA QUESTION
In the 58 year history of these teams facing off, only once has either team scored more than 100 points in a game. Can you name which team it was and the year this contest took place? Bonus points for knowing the name of the Stags coach, the Niagara Coach or the player to score the 100th point.
COMIC OF THE DAY
Big Nate
Big Nate, by Lincoln Peirce, debuted in newspapers on January 7, 1991. The strip's main character is Nate Wright, an irrepressible sixth grader with a native and inflated sense of his own greatness. Peirce has said that Big Nate, which featured only six characters when it started, originated as a "domestic humor" strip, and that he intended to focus on Nate's family life. Soon, however, Peirce realized that "the gags he enjoyed writing most were the school jokes, and over time school situations became the strips focus.

TRIVIA ANSWER
Fairfield defeated Niagara on January 20, 2018 by a scored of 104-85. Sydney Johnson's Stags were lead by Tyler Nelson's 28 points. Nelson was one of 5 Stags in double digits. Ferron Flavors scored his 18th and final points on a layup as the Stags surpassed the century mark defeating Chris Casey's Purple Eagles.
DID YOU KNOW - WITH SJ
In the late winter of 1980 an ice dam on the Niagara river caused water to flow backward temporarily for 2 days until the dam burst and the river resumed its normal flow.
THREE POINT SPECIALISTS
In the 43 year history of the MAAC, only 15 teams have averaged 9 or more three point baskets per game. This years Stags still have an outside chance to break the school record of 9.18 3-point baskets per game which would place this team among the top 10 all time in conference history.
THREE POINT PERCENTAGE
The Stags three point shooting percentage of 36.1 is second all-time for a team in program history. The 2007-08 Stags shot 38.4% from deep which stands as the all-time team record. The conference record, a record which likely will never be broken, belongs to Holy Cross who finished the 1987-88 season with a 46.8 three point percentage. To put this in perspective, this season only 2 players in the country have a higher three point percentage than the team average for Holy Cross that season.
SINGLE SEASON STEALS
With quite a few games to play, Jasper Floyd has moved in to 6th place all time for Steals in a single season at Fairfield. Here’s where Floyd stands:
1. Kyle Commodore 74 1998-99
2. A.J. Wynder 66 1984-85
3. Didier Boucard 64 1996-97
4. Colin Nickerson 63 2010-11
5. Derek Needham 60 2009-10
6. Jasper Floyd 59 2023-2024
7. Colin Nickerson 56 2012-13
8. A.J. Wynder 55 1986-87
9. Kyle Commodore 54 1997-98
10. Jesus Cruz 53 2017-18
11. Rakim Sanders 52 2011-12
There are only 4 seasons where a Stag has averaged as many as 2 steals per game:
1. Kyle Commodore, 1998-99 2.7
2. Jasper Floyd 2023-24 2.5 (current pace)
3. A.J. Wynder, 1984-85 2.4
4. Didier Boucard, 1996-97 2.2
5. Kyle Commodore, 1997-98 2.0
Jasper Floyd is currently averaging 2.5 steals per game. He has a chance to challenge Kyle Commodore’s single season mark from the 1999 season.
THREE-POINT FIELD GOALS
Tyler Nelson remains the only Stag to reach sink 100 three point baskets in a single season. Nelson averaged 3.2 made treys per game. Currently Caleb Fields is on a similar pace, Fields is averaging 3.1 made 3-point baskets per game and is now 13th all-time among the single season leaders in this category
1. Tyler Nelson 104 2017-18
2. Ferron Flavors Jr. 95 2017-18
3. Landon Taliaferro 90 2018-19
4. Mike Van Schaick 88 2006-07
5. Tyler Nelson 81 2016-17
6. Greg Francis 80 1995-96
7. Derek Needham 78 2012-13
Marcus Gilbert 78 2015-16
9. Derek Needham 73 2010-11
Marcus Gilbert 73 2013-14
11. Derek Needham 72 2011-12
12. Jermaine Clark 69 1998-99
13. Caleb Fields 68 2023-24
There are only 2 prior seasons where a Stag has averaged as many as 3 made three point baskets per game:
1. Tyler Nelson 3.2 2017-18
2. Caleb Fields 3.1 2023-24 CURRENT AVERAGE
2. Landon Taliaferro 3.0 2018-19
CONFERENCE SCORING LEADERS
Fairfield has 3 players among the top 10 in scoring average in the conference
Player...............(Team)       GP Min FG 3FG FT Points AVG
1 James, Mervin (Rider)       24 767 167 12 101 447 18.6
2 Balanc, Matt (Quinnipiac)  24 779 140 65 95 440 18.3
3 Leffew, Dakota (MSM)       24 866 161 58 59 439 18.3
4 Leach,Jalen (Fairfield)       22 703 126 33 65 350 15.9
5 Gordon, Greg (Iona)         22 546 148 13 41 350 15.9
6 Fields,Caleb (Fairfield)      22 758 114 68 49 345 15.7
7 Dinkins, Tre (Canisius)      23 798 113 63 54 343 14.9
8 Tretout, Idan (Iona)          18 492 86 33 53 258 14.3
9 Uijtendaal, Siem (Canisius) 21 695 99 43 49 290 13.8
10 Goodine, Brycen (Fairfield) 21 551 102 50 35 289 13.8
CONFERENCE LEADERS 3 POINT PERCENTAGE
1 Aranguren, Jean (Iona) 23 24 48 .500
2 Goodine, Brycen (Fairfield) 21 50 111 .450
3 Cooley, Javon (Marist) 22 22 51 .431
4 Fields, Caleb (Fairfield) 22 68 172 .395
5 Uijtendaal,Siem (Canisius) 21 43 111 .387
DID YOU KNOW - WITH SJ
The U.S. Government exterminated over 12 billion birds from 1959-2001, and replaced these birds with look-alike surveillance drone replicas. This clandestine CIA effort to spy on the American public was discovered by Peter McIndoe in 2017, but sadly it was too late to save many bird specifies from permanent extinction. Peter founded the birds aren't real movement to educate Americans about this tragedy.
MILESTONES
Louie Bleechmore secured his 100th rebound as a Stag versus SPU.
Lex Yetna surpassed 700 career rebounds versus SPU
STREAKS
Jasper Floyd continued his streak of 23 straight games with a made basket, rebound and an assist.
MAGIC NUMBERS
3 – The number of rebounds Peyton Smith needs to reach 100 as a Stag.
6 – Wins needed to get to 20. The Stags have not surpassed 20 wins in more than 10 years (2011-12 season).
8 – The number of wins Chris Casey will need to surpass Paul Cormier for 30th place all-time in MAAC coaching victories.
24 – Number of days until the MAAC Tournament begins
149 – The number of points Alexis Yetna needs to reach the 1000 career point mark.
311 – The number of points Jalen Leach needs to reach the 1000 career point mark.
572 - The number of points Brycen Goodine needs to reach the 1000 career point mark.
778 – The number of points Louie Bleechmore needs to reach the 1000 career point mark.
767 – The number of points Jasper Floyd needs to reach the 1000 career point mark
789 – The number of points James Johns needs to reach the 1000 career point mark
826 – The number of points Peyton Smith needs to reach the 1000 career point mark
HEARD BUT PROBABLY NOT TRUE  
FAIRFIELD SELLS EVEN MORE SEASON TICKETS
A windmill recently brought season tickets for the Stags. According to ticket manager Joe Cappucci, the Windmill is a big fan.
GIANT PARROT LIKE CREATURE SPOTTED NEAR GALLAGHER CENTER
Although they are not native to the Niagara Falls area, there are reports of a large parrot like creature being seen in and around the Gallagher Center. Parrots are not native to North America, but the presence of this possible cryptid seems well documented with numerous alleged sightings and grainy photos existing to support claims of this creature’s existence. It seems global warming may have made the Niagara area just warm enough for these birds to survive the harsh upstate winters. Some believe this animal was a pet parrot that escaped from an area home that has adapted to the local environment, growing to an enormous size. The bird appears to be surviving on the plentiful supply of uneaten popcorn from the Gallagher Center. Fairfield Basketball Coach Chris Casey claims to have seen the Giant Parrot several times. According to Casey, “When I worked at Niagara University, I definitely saw a large flightless parrot around the campus. I know there are a lot of people that believe birds aren’t real, but I am sure I saw this creature when I coached up there.” Others have reported that Casey has also seen Champy and Big Foot, but Casey has not confirmed these other sightings. A group of scientists known as the Giant Parrot Genome Project hopes to capture high-definition videos, photos, and thermal images of this creature. They also hope to collect and sequence Parrot DNA, in the hope of proving that birds are in fact real. Until we have the results of this million dollar study, questions regarding the existence of these creatures will continue to be the subject of fierce debate.  In a recent conversation with Monkees lead singer Davy Jones, Chris Casey stated he doesn’t have any doubt about seeing this Giant Female Parrot. According to Casey, “I saw her face, now I’m a believer…..”
With apologies to Monte and Chris Casey
ALLEGED GRAINY PHOTO OF GIANT PARROT LIKE CREATURE

SEPARATED AT BIRTH

Edition 220 @stagsmensbball , #stagsmensbball, #MAACHoops , #heardbutprobablynottrue , #EEGN , #HBPNT ♫2023-2024♫
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[nashvillestag]

Speaking of memorable games between these two schools, probably THE most memorable one was played during the 1967-68 season at the old New Haven Arena when the Stags, in their last season being coached by the great George Bisacca, managed to win a thrilling contest over the Purple Eagles who were led by All-American and former Norwalk High School great Calvin Murphy. I believe it was by 3 points, and what was most notable about the evening was that Fairfield's Larry Cirina managed to outscore the great Calvin as Larry had 32 as opposed to 28 for the visitor (if my memory is correct). Anyway even so long ago, this is a game that will never be forgotten by some of us who followed the Stags in their first years of playing against a few of the best players and teams in the country.

[reindeerfan]

Feb 15, 2024 0:23:46 GMT -5 nashvillestag said:

Speaking of memorable games between these two schools, probably THE most memorable one was played during the 1967-68 season at the old New Haven Arena when the Stags, in their last season being coached by the great George Bisacca, managed to win a thrilling contest over the Purple Eagles who were led by All-American and former Norwalk High School great Calvin Murphy. I believe it was by 3 points, and what was most notable about the evening was that Fairfield's Larry Cirina managed to outscore the great Calvin as Larry had 32 as opposed to 28 for the visitor (if my memory is correct). Anyway even so long ago, this is a game that will never be forgotten by some of us who followed the Stags in their first years of playing against a few of the best players and teams in the country.

That game was on 1/26/1968 in New Haven, an 88 – 85 Stags win. According to The Stag (school newspaper), it was the first televised game for Fairfield. It was considered by the writer to be one of the top 3 Stag wins during the early years of the program along with the 1967 win over St. Joseph's which snapped the Hawks' 33-game winning streak, and the win over BC when Fairfield ruined Bob Cousy's Eagles Debut.
At the time the game versus Niagara was very significant, All-America Calvin Murphy was a legend in CT and the game was televised, a rarity for the 1960's. At that time, the crowd of over 5,000 fans, was largest ever to watch a basketball game in the State of Connecticut.

[paulie74]

Any word on the Goodine injury?

[stags74]

RF another great EEGN! I don’t know how u keep it up!

[stag76]

Sometimes the predictive metric sites can be funny without trying to be. Niagara beat us by 24 on their home court earlier this year. Among the X-factors Haslam cites is Niagara typically plays better on the road than at home. So he predicts an 8 point Fairfield victory. Huh?

THE X-FACTORS:
PACE: We'd forecast a fairly average tempo by Division I standards here. Niagara is 168th in the country in game pace, while Fairfield nationally ranks 179th in the same category.
AWAY/HOME COURT: Niagara may fare better than expected here, as their performances away from home, on average, have been superior to their performances at home.

haslametrics.com/preview.php?yr=&tid1=653&tid2=4457&neut=0

[townie67]

Feb 15, 2024 0:23:46 GMT -5 nashvillestag said:

Speaking of memorable games between these two schools, probably THE most memorable one was played during the 1967-68 season at the old New Haven Arena when the Stags, in their last season being coached by the great George Bisacca, managed to win a thrilling contest over the Purple Eagles who were led by All-American and former Norwalk High School great Calvin Murphy. I believe it was by 3 points, and what was most notable about the evening was that Fairfield's Larry Cirina managed to outscore the great Calvin as Larry had 32 as opposed to 28 for the visitor (if my memory is correct). Anyway even so long ago, this is a game that will never be forgotten by some of us who followed the Stags in their first years of playing against a few of the best players and teams in the country.

Nothing to do with Niagara, but speaking of Larry Cirina, in their next game after Niagara Fairfield went down to Houston to play the Cougars, who had just stopped UCLA’s long winning streak in a game played before 50,000 plus at the Astrodome and moved into number one spot in rankings. Elvin Hayes was their big star. Houston won easily, but I believe Cirina had a really good game. Houston coach Guy Lewis mentioned him after game and said something like he would love to have a shooter like Cirina on his team.

[typhaon]

Hopefully this week has got the Stags closer to healthy (as much as they can be).

[gostags13]

Feb 15, 2024 9:08:48 GMT -5 paulie74 said:

Any word on the Goodine injury?

I have heard good and bad. Hopefully the podcast this week gives us an official update.

Peyton is trending in right direction. Better odds for Sunday and should be good at very least by next Friday vs QU.

[tommyd74]

I  did not attend the game that Fairfield won, but I do recall attending a Fairfield vs. Calvin Murphy Niagara game in the 69-70 season at the Arena that was won by Niagara. Am I correct or am I mis-remembering?

[gostags13]

Feb 15, 2024 11:56:18 GMT -5 gostags13 said:

Feb 15, 2024 9:08:48 GMT -5 paulie74 said:

Any word on the Goodine injury?

I have heard good and bad. Hopefully the podcast this week gives us an official update.

Peyton is trending in right direction. Better odds for Sunday and should be good at very least by next Friday vs QU.

Here are updates from the podcast:

x.com/FfldFrank/status/1758187516216123553?s=20

x.com/FfldFrank/status/1758187518522962144?s=20

[redsea96]

Feb 15, 2024 12:59:28 GMT -5 gostags13 said:

Feb 15, 2024 11:56:18 GMT -5 gostags13 said:

I have heard good and bad. Hopefully the podcast this week gives us an official update.

Peyton is trending in right direction. Better odds for Sunday and should be good at very least by next Friday vs QU.

Here are updates from the podcast:

x.com/FfldFrank/status/1758187516216123553?s=20

x.com/FfldFrank/status/1758187518522962144?s=20

Wow. That’s better news than a lot of the sentiment originally seemed. Hope he’s back on his feet soon and can play. That would be massive.

[reindeerfan]

Feb 15, 2024 12:41:35 GMT -5 tommyd74 said:

I  did not attend the game that Fairfield won, but I do recall attending a Fairfield vs. Calvin Murphy Niagara game in the 69-70 season at the Arena that was won by Niagara. Am I correct or am I mis-remembering?

Yes, Fairfield lost to a Calvin Murphy lead Niagara, during his senior season 71-65. Stags also lost to Niagara his Junior Year at Niagara:

2/10/1970 1969-70 Home New Haven, CT L 65 - 71
3/1/1969 1968-69 Away, Niagara, NY L 75 - 99

[reindeerfan]

Feb 15, 2024 13:18:02 GMT -5 redsea96 said:

Feb 15, 2024 12:59:28 GMT -5 gostags13 said:

Here are updates from the podcast:

x.com/FfldFrank/status/1758187516216123553?s=20

x.com/FfldFrank/status/1758187518522962144?s=20

Wow. That’s better news than a lot of the sentiment originally seemed. Hope he’s back on his feet soon and can play. That would be massive.

I hope those reports are accurate. FF usually has good information. What he has said here is not aligned with what I had heard. I had spoken to several reliable sources right after the injury that weren't this optimistic. I would be very happy FF has this right.

I know Casey won't rush him back. We can get through this weekend, or eve next weekend without BG. We need him for March, when the games really matter.

[gostags13]

Feb 15, 2024 14:01:21 GMT -5 reindeerfan said:

Feb 15, 2024 13:18:02 GMT -5 redsea96 said:

Wow. That’s better news than a lot of the sentiment originally seemed. Hope he’s back on his feet soon and can play. That would be massive.

I hope those reports are accurate. FF usually has good information. What he has said here is not aligned with what I had heard. I had spoken to several reliable sources right after the injury that weren't this optimistic. I would be very happy FF has this right.

I know Casey won't rush him back. We can get through this weekend, or eve next weekend without BG. We need him for March, when the games really matter.

I just want to clarify because you mention "FF" which I think you mean "Fairfield Frank", quotes are from Open Court Podcast so straight from Coach Casey's mouth.