Top ten: Men's Basketball debuts at number 10 spot in Mid-Major Top 25 poll

Top ten: Men's Basketball debuts at number 10 spot in Mid-Major Top 25 poll

basketball
The hype that surrounds the Fairfield University men's basketball team continues to swell. After being selected as the team to beat in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) by several national publications and by the head coaches, the Stags tacked on another accolade with a number 10 ranking in the Collegeinsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 poll.

Head Coach Ed Cooley's squad is the highest previously unranked team in the poll, and is one of eight teams in the top 25 that did not have a previous top 25 ranking in the last ranking. Fairfield collected 360 points and is sandwiched between ninth-ranked Missouri State (390 points) and 11th-ranked St. Mary's (333 points).

"I am very proud of the hard work that our student-athletes put forth every day," Coach Cooley said. "It is through their efforts that we are gaining this recognition. I am happy for the school and our team. But as nice as these preseason honors are, we remained focused on our goal which is to be the top team in March and earn a berth to the NCAA tournament."

Fairfield is the highest ranked team among MAAC schools with Siena coming up next in the poll at number 20 (190 points). Iona is receiving votes with 104 points, just missing the top 25 by 23 points.

The Stags opened its 2010-11 campaign with an exhibition victory against the University of Bridgeport on November 1, posting a 78-54 decision at home. Fairfield will host Stonehill College in another exhibition game on November 8, the team's last tune up before starting the regular-season with Sacred Heart University on November 13 as part of the Connecticut 6 Classic.

Season tickets are currently on sale for the upcoming campaign, and can be purchased by contacting the Fairfield University ticket office at (203) 254-4136.

Posted On: 11-02-2010 10:11 AM

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