FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Forward Marcus Gilbert (Smyrna, Del.) earned a spot on the All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Preseason Third Team, one of 16 student-athletes to receive preseason recognition by the conference. The MAAC announced its annual preseason All-MAAC teams and coaches' poll this evening.

                Gilbert returns to the roster as the team's top returning scorer, averaging 13.9 points per game. He developed into one of the top three-point shooters in the MAAC by making 73 of 199 attempts, including three games with six long-range jumpers. He tallied 10 or more points in 24 of his 32 appearances with seven of those outings resulting in 20 or more points. He tallied a career-high 31 points in early December. He ranked as one of the team's most accurate shooters with a .406 field goal percentage and a .768 free throw percentage.

                The Fairfield University men's basketball was selected ninth in the MAAC Preseason Coaches Poll with 33 points. Iona College received the top spot in the preseason poll, garnering 112 points. Siena (107) and Manhattan (97) rounded out the top three in the poll. The rest of the rankings included Saint Peter's (89 points), Quinnipiac (84), Monmouth (57), Rider (56), Marist (50), Fairfield, Canisius (28), and Niagara (13).

                The Fairfield University men's basketball team, under Head Coach Sydney Johnson, opens the 2014-15 season on November 14 when it plays Central Connecticut State University at the Connecticut 6 Classic, hosted by Quinnipiac University. The next day, the Stags head south for a match up with Duke University. Fairfield opens the home portion of its schedule when it hosts a bracket of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic on November 21-23. The Stags are part of a four-team bracket that includes Sam Houston State, South Dakota, and Wofford.

                Season tickets and mini-ticket plans are currently on sale and be purchased online or by calling the Fairfield University Athletic Ticket Office at (203) 254-4136.