Expect a defensive struggle when the Columbia Lions (3-2) and Fairfield Stags (2-3) meet at Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard. The game begins at 5:00 pm ET on Friday, Nov. 27.
The Stags come into this game hoping to repeat their last performance, dismantling Maryland Eastern Shore 113-74 on Tuesday. Marcus Gilbert was the game’s high scorer with 32 points on 11-for-19 shooting. The Lions, meanwhile, are coming off a 70-59 win against Wofford on Tuesday. Grant Mullins stood out for Columbia, registering 11 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
Fairfield is a five-point underdog in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is 144 points. The Stags enter the game with records of 2-3 Straight Up (SU) and 1-2 Against The Spread (ATS). The Stags prevent teams from making three-pointers, ranking first in the nation with a .264 opponent field-goal percentage from three-point range.
Over on the other bench, the Lions have 3-2 SU and 2-1 ATS records. Columbia’s defense has set the standard for nation, with opponents shooting a Division I-low .457 from the field.
This game marks the first time Fairfield and Columbia have played one another in recent seasons.
Predictions: SU Winner – Colum, ATS Winner – Colum, O/U – Over
Notes
Fairfield is 3-16 SU in its last 19 games.
Fairfield is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games at home.
Fairfield won its last game by a 39-point margin. In games decided by a margin of 18 points or more, Columbia is 2-0. Fairfield is 1-1 in blowouts this season.
The Fairfield Stags have a defensive rating of 104.4, ranked first in the country. The Columbia Lions have a top-tier offense with an offensive rating of 123.9 (ranked 10th).
The Fairfield Stags average a field goal percentage of 44.3% this season. The Columbia Lions have a losing record of 1-2 when opponents have a FG% of 44.3% or greater.
The Fairfield Stags and the Columbia Lions both rank higher in average effective field goal percentage when compared to their field goal percentages. Fairfield is 171st and 122nd in the nation for FG% and eFG% respectively, while Columbia is 27th and 17th in these categories.
Fairfield ranks 35th in assists, recording 17.8 per game. Columbia ranks 44th with 17.4 assists per game.
Fairfield ranks 91st in defensive rebounding. When it comes to offensive rebounds, Columbia ranks 84th.
Though Fairfield is one of the best in the country in forcing turnovers with opponents averaging a TO% of 16.3% (ranked first), Columbia has a winning 3-1 record SU when its TO% is 16.3% or greater.
