FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Landon Taliaferro and Jesus Cruz were named to the 2019-20 All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Preseason honors as the conference announced its annual preseason teams and coaches' poll.

                Taliaferro serves as the Stags' top returning scorer after averaging 12.3 points per game in 2018-19. The guard ranked 14^th among the MAAC scorer leaders by season's end and his scoring average places seventh among returning players. The senior emerged as one of the top three-point shooters in the MAAC as well as in the nation as his 3.0 three pointers per game (90 overall) was second in the conference while .423 three-point field goal percentage placed 22^nd in Division I.

                Cruz continued to show his all-around game with his performance during the 2018-19 campaign. The guard was among the team leaders in scoring, assists, and steals, giving the Stags many options when he is on the court. The junior averaged 9.4 points per game based on his ability to score inside the lane or from beyond the three-point arc. He also showcased his play making ability with 42 assists as well as his ability to generate offense off his 24 steals.

                The MAAC also announced its annual coaches' preseason poll which placed Fairfield 11^th in the rankings. The Stags collected 18 points in the poll which placed them eight points behind Niagara University. Iona College was selected the preseason favorite, taking the top spot in the poll with 119 points off 10 first-place votes.

                The Fairfield University men's basketball team, under Head Coach Jay Young, opens the 2019-20 season with a pair of home games beginning with Bucknell University on November 5 at 7 pm. The Stags follow up their season opener with a November 9 match up with UMass for a 1 pm game. Both games will be played at Webster Bank Arena. For ticket information or to purchase tickets online, please visit the Fairfield University Athletics ticket web page.