As a 20 year old sophomore at Fairfield University with a great interest in sports, I feel it's only appropriate that I discuss one of the biggest basketball games in recent memory for the Stags. Tonight Fairfield takes on the Siena Saints in the MAAC Championship game, which will be televised on ESPN2. Over the weekend I have been sick with mono, so I have had plenty of time to watch Fairfield's past 2 games on ESPN360.com and let me tell you, do not count them out against this Siena powerhouse. The way they faught against both Canisius and Niagara was impressive, especially the play of freshman Derek Needham and senior Anthony Johnson. The passion is there and the Stags almost beat Siena on the same court in the regular season. Ed Cooley, head coach of the Stags, will not let his team be intimidated by the Saints, who are looking for the third straight MAAC championship. Since I have been at Fairfield I have been a work study for the Sports Information Department and have wrote in the sports section for the campus newspaper, The Mirror. So let me give you some inside access/opinion on the keys for a Stag victory.
1. Keep hitting those 3's
-The Stags need to shoot lights out tonight in order to get a victory. Evanovich and Needham need to knock down any open shots they get because Johnson will not be able to push around his opponents like he has the past 2 games.
2. Johnson needs to stay out of foul trouble
This was a minor concern in yesterday's game against Niagara, but it will be crucial for tonite. There is no way Fairfield will win if Johnson picks up 3 early fouls, Siena has too much depth and will take advantage down low without "Peanut's " presence.
3. Big games from others besides Needham/Johnson
The freshman standout will need to be his usual self, he can't act like he's a freshman in the biggest game of his young career. Johnson will show up because he doesn't want this to be his last game ever, he will be a force to be reckoned with tonight. The key is that Nickerson continues his defensive prowness, Crawford has to move around the ball and show what he is capable of as he did against Niagara in the last regular season game. Evanovich needs to hit his open shots, Olander needs to be another confident big man in the post and continue to play the way he has in the tournament. The bottom line: everyone needs to play their best tonight in order to accomplish their dream of winning the MAAC and getting a bid into the NCCAA tournament.
This is an exciting day for all Fairfield University students and if I didn't have mono and lived closer to Albany, I would be there to cheer the Stags on. Regardless if they win tonight, this team can hold their heads up high and know they played with guts this season and have a bright future ahead of them. Go Stags!
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