Expect a low-scoring game when the Canisius Golden Griffins (10-11) and Fairfield Stags (11-9) collide at Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard. Action begins at 7:00 pm ET on Friday, Jan. 29 and can be seen on ES3.
The Stags enter this game hoping for similar success after topping Iona 98-91 in their last matchup. Marcus Gilbert was a key piece, recording his third double-double of the season with 32 points and 10 rebounds. The Golden Griffins, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their ugly 99-78 loss against Siena in their last game. Phil Valenti led the team in scoring with 17 points.
Tyler Nelson has taken his game to another level over the last five games for the Stags. During that stretch, he has averaged 17.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.8 steals, and 2.0 three-pointers.
Fairfield is a slim one-point favorite at home against Canisius. The matchup has an estimated Over/Under (O/U) of 167 points. The Stags come into this game 11-9 Straight Up (SU) and 7-8 Against The Spread (ATS). The Stags have no trouble scoring as they rank 41st in the nation in offense with 79.7 points per game. The Stags are one of the best in Division I in terms of three-point field goals, making 9.0 shots per game from beyond the arc. Fairfield is one of the best passing teams in the nation with an average of 16.2 assists per game.
Over on the other bench, the Golden Griffins have 10-11 SU and 8-9-1 ATS records. Offensively, they average 79.6 points per game, which is good for 43rd in the country. The Golden Griffins rely heavily on three-pointers on offense, ranking 27th in the nation with 194 made (9.0 per game). The Golden Griffins have controlled the offensive glass with an average of 13.0 offensive rebounds per game, 48th in the country.
This game marks the season’s first head-to-head clash between these conference foes. Their previous game was a Golden Griffins victory, bringing the head-to-head record to an even 5-5 SU over their most recent meetings. With a 6-4 record, the Stags have the advantage ATS. During their latest five matchups, neither team ever held the advantage in field goals, rebounds, or three-pointers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Can, ATS Winner – Can, O/U – Over
Notes
Fairfield is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Fairfield’s last 5 games.
Fairfield is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games at home.
Fairfield is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Canisius.
Fairfield is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Canisius.
Fairfield and Canisius square off with both holding split records of 5-5 SU against Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference teams.
Canisius averages 79.6 points per game (ranked 43rd). Fairfield, on the other hand, allows 80.5 points per game (ranked 296th).
Canisius scores 75.0 points per away game (ranked 57th). Fairfield ranks a poor 309th in points allowed at home, allowing 80.1 points.
Ranked 81st, the Canisius Golden Griffins have an offensive rating of 110.7. The Fairfield Stags rank 286th with a defensive rating of just 108.6.
The Fairfield Stags average a field goal percentage of 45.6% this season. The Canisius Golden Griffins have an underachieving record of 5-10 when opponents have a FG% of 45.6% or greater.
The Fairfield Stags and the Canisius Golden Griffins both rank higher in average effective field goal percentage when compared to their field goal percentages. Fairfield is 95th and 46th in the nation for FG% and eFG% respectively, while Canisius is 272nd and 217th in these categories.
Fairfield ranks 37th in assists, recording 16.2 per game. Canisius ranks 85th with 15.1 assists per game.
The Canisius Golden Griffins rank 48th in offensive rebounds. The Fairfield Stags rank 126th in the nation in defensive rebounds.
Fairfield has forced an average turnover percentage of 18.2% this season. Canisius has a poor 2-4 record when its TO% is 18.2% or higher.
