Nov. 6, 2001
New York, N.Y. -- The Fairfield University men's basketball team earned the number two spot in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference pre-season coaches poll, while the women's basketball team collected the number three position in its coaches poll. In addition, two Fairfield men's basketball players and three women's basketball players garnered Pre-Season All-MAAC accolades. The polls and honors were announced at the MAAC's annual media luncheon, which took place at The Thearte at Madison Square Garden.
Head Coach Tim O'Toole's team received 76 points and one first place vote, trailing only Iona College's 96 points and seven first place votes. Head Coach Dianne Nolan's squad picked up 84 points, behind Siena College's 98 markers and St. Peter's 86 points.
The pre-season teams were also announced today, as Sam Spann was listed on the first team and newcomer Ajou Deng was placed on the third team. Spann led the team in both scoring (15.0 ppg) and rebounding (9.5 rpg) last season. The forward ranked second in rebounding and eighth in scoring on the MAAC's final statistics list.
Megan Light, Ayanna Brown and Schrene Isidora all were voted to the second team. Light ended the 2000-01 campaign with a 10.9 scoring average, as well as a 5.3 assist average. Isidora placed third among her teammates in scoring, netting 11.1 points every forty minutes. She was also among the team leaders with a 5.3 rebounding average. Brown, a member of the MAAC's 2001 All-Rookie Team, averaged 10.5 points and 7.4 caroms per contest.
The women's basketball team opens its season on Friday, November 9 against the University of Connecticut in the first round of the WNIT. The team plays its first home game at the Arena at Harbor Yard on November 16 versus Boston College. Game time is 7:30 pm. The men's basketball squad also opens up on November 16, traveling to Harvard University. The Stags play their first home game of 2001-02 on November 27, hosting the University of Rhode Island.
All Fairfield University home games will be played at the Arena at Harbor Yard. Fans can order tickets for the Boston College game as well as all home Fairfield University men's and women's basketball games by calling the Fairfield University ticket office at (203) 254-4103, or on-line at www.ticketmaster.com or www.fairfieldstags.com.
2001-02 MAAC Men's Pre-Season Poll 2001-02 MAAC Women's Pre-Season Poll
1) Iona College (7) 96 1) Siena College 98
2) Fairfield University (1) 76 2) St. Peter's College 86
3) Niagara University 75 3) Fairfield University 84
4) Manhattan College 70 4) Loyola College 64
5) Marist College 60 5) Manhattan College 62
6) Siena College 56 6) Marist College 50
7) Rider University 45 7) Niagara University 34
8) Canisius College 40 8) Canisius College 33
9) Loyola College 19 9) Rider University 20
10) St. Peter's College 13 10) Iona College 19
