Here is a link to my preview of Fairfield:
http://baltimoresportsandlife.blogspot.com/2009/10/before-maui-look-at-fairfield.html
Looking forward to the game tonight, and seeing if the frosh bigs can show some early consistency.
With Gregory, Goins, and JSC out of the game, it will be interesting to see Mosley get a few minutes at the 4 as Gary has hinted will happen.
That will mean the Terps will be going with a 4 guard lineup when that occurs.
Fairfield is 2-0, after wins over Central Connecticut State, and Fordham.
Couple of things to look for tonight:
1) Fairfield Head Coach Ed Cooley was a long-time assistant for Boston College Head Coach Al Skinner. Would guess that their schemes are somewhat similar, and that Fairfield plays physically. This could be good preparation for the Terps.
2) Senior F Anthony Johnson was on the pre-season 2008-09 All-MAAC team, and reached double-figures in rebounding 4 times, and scoring 10 times prior to missing the 2nd-half of the season with a blood-clot in his lung. In the first two games of this year, Johnson is averaging 15.5 points, 10 boards, 3.5 blocks per game. This 6’8 245 lb forward will be a good match-up for Williams, and Padgett.
3) Fairfield has very little guard depth, and is depending on two Freshman from Metro-Chicago. Derek Needham has started his collegiate career with back-to-back double figure outings, and is averaging 16.5 ppg, 5 assists, 3.5 turnovers, and 3 steals a game. The other Freshman Colin Nickerson has had a tougher time so far, and could be exposed tonight.
4) Junior F Mike Evanovich has not scored in the first two games. He did average 7.5 ppg last year, in just 18.5 mts per game. Against Wake Forest, the Iowa State transfer, scored 20 points, hitting five 3’s. Senior F Greg Nero averaged 12.4 ppg, including 48% from 3point land, but does not appear to have played so far this year. If they do not play, and do not light it up from 3, hard to imagine any possible scenario where MD is pushed.
5) Against Fordham, Fairfield shot only 29% from the floor, but made 29 free-throws. If they do not get to the line against MD, the game could get away from them early.
6) Fairfield has won on the boards both games, 32-20 vs CCST, and 44-36 Fordham. MD has the better athletes, but may give away some size. Will be interesting to see who wins on the glass.
7) Junior F Yorel Hawkins, and Sophomore F Shimeek Johnson are described as being solid-athletes.
8) This is Fairfield’s 5th game of the season (2 exhibitions, and 2 regular-season games), and they brought back all but two players from last years team that played against Wake, and Georgetown. This could be a game most of the 1st-half, but MD’s athleticism should wear them down. With the lack of guard depth on their roster, I see Gary pressing them constantly.
75-55 Maryland
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