2010-2011 MAAC Basketball Men's Preview: # 2 Fairfield Stags

# 2: The Fairfield Stags

Head Coach: Ed Cooley

2009-2010 Record: 23-11

2009-2010 Conference Record: 13-5

Every publication that has previewed the MAAC has picked Fairfield at number one. It may not be an overwhelming number one like it has been at Siena the past two seasons, but still Fairfield seems to be deemed the favorite.

Fairfield very well could win the league this year, and the fact that just last night they lost to Division 2 Stonehill has nothing to do with this prediction. Fairfield in my mind finishes a close second this year, but I won't be baffled by any means to see the Stags win the MAAC title on their home floor this year; I just won't put my money on it here in early November.

The Low Down On The Stags:

Derek Needham is the best guard in this league. He came out of deep right field last year to surprise the heck out of everyone in the league who never heard his name in high school. Ed Cooley found a gem from the mid west and is now banking on this kid to help lead him to a MAAC title.

Needham is a combo guard who has the eyes of a killer when he is playing. Although turnover prone, Needham can score in bunches and can change the course of the game all by himself. A one man fast break with great north to south speed, Needham will do his best to expand on a stellar Rookie Of The Year season.

So who is coming along for the ride with Needham? Well there are likely plenty of willing participants. Guards Lyndon Jordan and Collin Nickerson will likely share the duties of Needhams backcourt mate, with freshman Jamel Fields having the potential for an impact freshman season.

The real question is can a group of senior forwards stay healthy? Greg Nero, Warren Edney, and Yorel Hawkins have all been or shown flashes of being all league players. All three have endured a variety of injuries over the past three years. Nero's career was and may still be in jeopardy by a crippling case of Mono. Edney has had chronic foot problems, and Hawkins suffered a knee injury last season.

If these three seniors can stay healthy and are at the height of their playing ability, this number two pick may be a bust. Throw these three in with Needham and a cast of good role players and the league may be in trouble. When healthy Nero is an unorthodox hard playing big man who can give you a double double on any given night. Hawkins and Edney are slashing wings who will rebound and dunk with authority. All three if healthy are three of the best in the league.

The second biggest question with this team is what are you going to get out of Ryan Olander? Olander is a junior now and is one of the biggest players in the league and has skill to go with it. Has Olander found more aggression and assertiveness than he has in years past? If he has you may see yet another potential all league player on Fairfields roster. It will be interesting to see if Olander can be an answer to some of the leagues premier big men (Rossiter, Bacon, Rodriguez).

The Negatives:

The keys to this team winning a MAAC title on their home floor in March are their three injury plagued seniors staying healthy, and Ryan Olander establishing himself as a consistent force in this league. Both of these things could happen, and if they do it will be very hard for any team in the league to upend Fairfield in March.

How likely is it that both of these issues go in Fairfield's favor? Honestly I'm not sure. On the health front you would hope all three stay healthy. The last thing you want to see is one of these seniors experience reoccurring problems. That being said, the Division 1 basketball season is a long and at times painful.

We will see if Cooley and his staff have figured out a way to sustain Olanders flashes of dominance. The kid is 6"10 and skilled. If Olander can find a way to be a force on the block and continue his versatility as a shooter and passer Fairfield is in buisness, and could maybe even afford a injury or two. If not they may need some outstanding performances from Needham and his backcourt mates to have a chance.