ATLANTIC CITY – Fairfield University Men's Basketball has been selected atop the Metro Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, which was voted upon by the league's 13 head coaches and unveiled on Wednesday morning in Atlantic City. In addition, Declan Wucherpfennig was named the Metro Preseason Player of the Year and was joined on the Preseason All-Metro Team by Tony Williams.
 
Entering its fourth year led by Head Coach Chris Casey, Fairfield Men's Basketball won 21 games last season and reached the MAAC Championship Semifinals. The Stags return 10 student-athletes for the upcoming campaign, including three starters and six total players that appeared in 20 or more games. Fairfield is ranked atop the Preseason Poll for the first time since 2010-11.
 
Declan Wucherpfennig grabbed Preseason Player of the Year and unanimous Preseason All-Metro First Team honors following a standout rookie campaign. 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 '29, 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.
 
Fairfield Men's Basketball is set to play 16 regular season home games and 17 total home contests in 2026-27. The fifth season of action at Leo D. Mahoney Arena tips off with an exhibition against Fordham on Oct. 24 and regular season play starts on Nov. 5 with a visit from Vermont. Season tickets for the 2026-27 campaign are on sale now at FairfieldStags.com/TIX.
 
For assistance purchasing or renewing season tickets, upgrading seats, or to learn more about premium seating options, contact the Fairfield Athletics Ticket Office at stagstickets@fairfield.edu or 203-254-4136.