UPDATE (11/9/21): Fans tuning into the FS1 channel will see coverage of all eight of tonight's Big East men's basketball games. Download the Fox Sports app or watch online to see the Fairfield/Providence game in its entirety. Fans will need an account or a compatible cable package; this is not a free link to watch.

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fairfield University Men's Basketball opens the 2021-22 season on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at Providence. Opening tip is set for 7 p.m. at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence with all of the action broadcast live on FS1 and the Fox Sports app.
 
The Stags are entering their third season led by Head Coach Jay Young. Fairfield is coming off of a 10-17 campaign, which culminated with three wins at the MAAC Championship – including back-to-back victories over second-seeded Monmouth and third-seeded Saint Peter's – to reach the conference championship game. The Stags were clipped by Iona in the MAAC Championship Game to end the season.
 
Fairfield returns every player that checked into that game in Atlantic City and is one of four teams in the nation to welcome back more than 99 percent of its scoring and 99 percent of its minutes from last season. Among those 14 returners is Jake Wojcik, who led the Stags with 13.5 points per game and has been tabbed to the 2021-22 Preseason All-MAAC Third Team. Taj Benning also averaged double figures with 12.0 points per game and hauled in 4.9 rebounds per contest.
 
Providence, under the direction of former Stags' head coach Ed Cooley, posted an even 13-13 mark last season. The Friars feature one of the premier big men in the nation in Nate Watson, an All-Big East Second Team honoree last season and a member of the Preseason All-Big East First Team and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Watch List.

The Stags and Friars are meeting for the 40th time dating back to 1948. Providence owns a 34-5 lead in the series, including last season's decision at the Friars' Alumni Hall. Fairfield's last win in the series came in the 1967-68 season.
 
Following Tuesday's game, the Stags will stay on the road to challenge another traditional New England rival with a Sunday, Nov. 14 visit to Boston College. Fairfield tips off the 2021-22 home slate on Tuesday, Nov. 16 at Webster Bank Arena against Medgar Evars College. Tip-off for the first of 15 home games on the Stags' slate is set for 7 p.m.