I'll take a flyer (not a Dayton one, either) and say that this Fairfield team cover the 11.5 points. These two teams played in January, obviously at Fairfield. Sienna was only a four--point favorite and won by eight. The lead was never double-digits. There are a huge amount of slips on Sienna, but the line has come down from it's opening of 13, which is why I decided to look further.

Upon further review----yes, Sienna has the longest active win streak (14) and is behind only Kansas for longest active home win streak. Sooner or later the fact that Sienna's starting five are superior to everyone in the MAAC, the fact they they are very thin 20% bench minutes is going to hurt them somewhere down the line. And speaking of "down the line", with the conference regular season title virtually clinched-----is Sienna looking ahead to the Butler game in two weeks---maybe.

Fairfield knows, based on their last meeting, that they can play with Sienna, so there is not real intimidation factor here. Fairfield is a bigger team, and had they not got into foul trouble last game---it might have been a win. They shot 27 free throws to Fairfield's 15.  During that game Sienna shout 50% from behind the arc---and they are not a superior three-point team. Points in the paint were very even.

Fairfield is off a good win at home against a stingy defensive-minded St. Peter's team, whose only other loss in their last nine games was to Sienna. Having said all this, with the line movement, history, and situation, I take Fairfield and the points and look for a very close game.

The Sports Network

DATE & TIME: Monday, February 8th, 7:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Times Union Center (15,500) -- Albany, New York. Television: MSG. Home Record: Fairfield 9-2, Siena 12-0. Away Record: Fairfield 6-5, Siena 7-3. Neutral Record: Fairfield 1-0, Siena 1-1. Conference Record: Fairfield 9-4, Siena 13-0. Series Record:

GAME NOTES: Siena will try to remain undefeated in league action when the Saints host the Fairfield Stags this evening in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference bout at the Times Union Center.

The Stags pushed their conference ledger to 9-4 on the season with a 59-46 victory over Saint Peter's in their last matchup. It was the fourth win in the last six games for Fairfield, which is a respectable 6-5 on the road this season.

As for the Saints, they currently sit on top of the MAAC with a flawless 13-0 ledger. The last time Siena was in action the team grabbed a convincing, 88-68 victory over Iona. It was the 14th straight win for the Saints, who have won 33 consecutive games at home, including a 12-0 mark this season at the Times Union Center.

The Saints own a 28-23 edge over Fairfield in the all-time series, and that includes an 81-73 victory for Siena back in January.

The Stags have been solid offensively this season, producing 70.4 ppg, behind a mediocre 43.6 percent shooting effort. Derek Needham is currently pacing the team with 15.7 ppg and 133 assists, while Anthony Johnson is posting 14.6 ppg. Johnson is also pacing the team with 9.2 rpg and 55 blocks. The Stags were not very impressive in their last matchup, but the team still grabbed a victory over Saint Peter's, despite scoring just 59 points. Needham led the way in the win with 20 points, while Johnson contributed 14 points, to go along with 12 rebounds and eight blocks.

Siena can hurt an opponent with many different weapons, beginning with Alex Franklin, who is averaging 16.4 ppg and 8.0 rpg. Edwin Ubiles is contributing 15.6 ppg, while Ryan Rossiter is posting 14.0 ppg, to go along with a team- best 10.5 rpg. As a whole, the Saints are producing 76.8 ppg on the season, and that comes behind an equally impressive 46.5 percent shooting effort. Siena continued its dominating play offensively in the win over Iona, as the Saints scored 88 points behind a 50.0 percent shooting effort. Franklin led the way with 23 points and seven rebounds, while Clarence Jackson posted 20 points. Rossiter finished with a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Ubiles chipped in with 11 points.

The Saints have been the cream of the crop in the MAAC this season and should continue to dominate their conference with a victory tonight.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Siena 79, Fairfield 65

Thanks, Giraffe. I hit "enter" a little prematurely. Need to remember to put my glasses on first!

 no prob i will never bet against this siena team again bet against em playing second best team iona and they beat them by 20 no reason they wont do same to fairfield

Perhaps, but is the line inflated because of thier success? Somewhere along the line it usually is, and looking at their remaining schedule, it might well be tonight. Seems like reasonable value, given Fairfield losing to Rider and perhaps undervalued at 16-7. I can't stand betting chalks-----too many back-door covers even when they get out early.

Yes, and that game against Iona was sold-out and this game is far from it, which could indicate the "lack-of-interest" in the team, maybe. Monday night after the Super Bowl, classes start, I just see a letdown for one and a real effort for the other.

davessler:

Yes, and that game against Iona was sold-out and this game is far from it, which could indicate the "lack-of-interest" in the team, maybe. Monday night after the Super Bowl, classes start, I just see a letdown for one and a real effort for the other.

Great first post, but this one is even sharper IMO. Heck yeah lets see if we can't cash this one!!!

Doc

It's too hard for me to say, X. As you know last time the played to 154. The opposite of what you would think since, though. Most of Fairfield's games have been in the 150's and most of Sienna's have been well under that. My guess is that the posted total is too high, although in their last game there were not a bunch of free throws in the end to inflate the number. So, as I am thinking out loud, the Vegas number is there for a reason. If it's a close game (which I need to happen) my guess is it will be under. If Sienna goes way up, the pace will quicken and they're likely to hit 160. I know that's not a lot of help!

That is a lot of points.....go get em, brother!!!!