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FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- After winning the regular season title in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference last year, the Fairfield University men's basketball team seems ready for a challenge. The Stags certainly will have their hands full this season as far as their non-conference schedule goes. Fairfield unveiled its non-conference opponents Wednesday.
Two teams jump off the schedule, including the defending national champions, UConn. Fairfield will make the trip into hostile territory to take on the Huskies at Storrs on Dec. 22. Equally intriguing is a visit by Providence College on Nov. 14. Providence head coach Ed Cooley was Fairfield's head coach until last season.
The Stags will open their 2011-12 schedule against Quinnipiac in the Connecticut 6 Classic at Mohegan Sun on Nov. 11. Fairfield then goes to Minnesota on Nov. 17 to take on the Golden Gophers in what should be another difficult matchup. The Stags host Holy Cross on Nov. 20. Fairfield travels to Orlando, Fla., for the Old Spice Classic, beginning Nov. 24 against Arizona State University.
After playing their first conference games in early December, Fairfield hosts the University of New Hampshire on Dec. 11. Their final non-conference game will be in February against an opponent to be determined.
Despite winning the regular season conference title, Fairfield fell in the conference tournament and failed to secure a March Madness bid. The Stags will try to change their fortunes this season under first-year head coach Sydney Johnson.
How do you think Fairfield University men's basketball team will fare in the 2011-12 season? Do you think they can make the NCAA tournament? Start the discussion below!
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