FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fairfield University Men's Basketball makes its (unofficial) return to the court on Saturday, Oct. 24 when the Stags host Fordham in an exhibition. Opening tip from Leo D. Mahoney Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m.
General admission tickets are on sale now at
FairfieldStags.com/TIX.
THE PICKS ARE IN
Fairfield was ranked atop the Metro Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll for the first time since being tabbed as the favorite in the lead up to the 2010-11 season.
Declan Wucherpfennig grabbed Preseason Player of the Year and unanimous Preseason All-Metro First Team honors. He scored 12.1 points per game and ranked second in the league – first among returning Metro players – with 8.5 rebounds per contest. Wucherpfennig finished with the second-most rebounds and fifth-most points by a true freshman in Fairfield Men's Basketball history.
He is the Stags' first Preseason Player of the Year since Hall of Famer and all-time leading scorer
Tyler Nelson '18 earned the distinction prior to his senior season.
Wucherpfennig was joined as Preseason All-Metro by his teammate and classmate Tony "Butta" Williams, who was voted to the Second Team. Williams played in 33 games with 23 starts as a freshman, averaging 6.5 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. He scored in double figures in 11 games, including all three games of Fairfield's MAAC postseason run.
GUESS WHO'S BACK
The Stags return 10 student-athletes for the upcoming campaign, including three starters and six total players that appeared in 20 or more games.
WHAT'S NEW
The Stags' seven newcomers consist of Division I transfers
Qadir Martin (Mercyhurst) and
Marko Radunovic (Boston College) as well as freshmen
Jaden Brown,
Cole Edelen,
Jah Hatchett,
Brayden Jones, and
Oesoemana Sacko.
FORDHAM AT A GLANCE
Fordham posted a 17-15 record in its first season under Mike Magpayo in 2025-26, including an 8-10 mark in the Atlantic 10. The Rams played two Metro Conference opponents last winter, falling at Iona (L, 76-71) and earning a win over Manhattan (W, 82-53) in the annual Battle of the Bronx.
Fordham has already played one public exhibition, hosting and defeating UMBC by a count of 87-67 at Rose Hill on Wednesday. Abass Bodija led three Rams in double figures with 16 points. Lateef Patrick Jr. added 14 points and a team-best six rebounds.
Preseason All-Atlantic-10 Second Teamer Rikus Schulte had five points and five rebounds in 15 minutes against UMBC, Schulte averaged 10.7 points and a team-high 9.1 rebounds per contest last season.
Fordham was selected seventh of 14th teams in the conference's preseason coaches' poll.
US AND THEM
While Saturday night's matchup will not officially count in the all-time series, the Stags and Rams have met 45 times in the regular season dating back to 1962. Fairfield has won the last three meetings, earning wins in the Bronx (2008), Fairfield (2009) and a neutral site clash in Bethlehem, Pa. (2012). Fordham leads on the all-time ledger, 32-13, fueled by a stretch of 19 wins in 21 meetings from 1982 to 1997.
THE 2025-26 STAGS
Fairfield concluded last season in the MAAC Semifinals, falling to eventual champion Siena to wrap up the season at 21-13 overall and 11-9 in conference play. The effort marked the ninth 20-win season in program history, as
Chris Casey joined Ed Cooley as the only Fairfield head coaches with two 20-win campaigns to their credit.
PLAYING THE PERCENTAGES
Fairfield welcomes back 42.8% of its scoring and 47.3% of its rebounding. Returning Stags played 50.1% of the Stags' minutes last season.
UP NEXT
The 2026-27 regular season tips off at Mahoney Arena on Thursday, Nov. 5 when the Stags host Vermont as a part of the America East-Metro Challenge.
