GAME NOTES: Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action takes place tonight, as the Loyola-Maryland Greyhounds will get set to host the Fairfield Stags at Reitz Arena. It has been a tough season thus far for the Stags, as the squad has dropped nine of the first 12 games. The last time Fairfield was on the court the team suffered an embarrassing, 71-50 loss to William & Mary. Next up for the Stags will be a road matchup against Siena. As for the Greyhounds, they opened their new campaign with a 4-2 ledger, but since then the team has been dreadful, losing five of the last six matchups, including two consecutive setbacks. The last time Loyola was on the court the team was pounded by Illinois, 77-43. Although the Greyhounds are just 5-7 overall on the season, the team is a solid 4-0 at Reitz Arena. The Stags have won 15 of the last 16 regular season matchups against Loyola, but when matched up in the conference tournament, the Greyhounds have defeated Fairfield three consecutive times.

The Stags' biggest issue this year has been their lack of offensive production. Fairfield heads into this matchup netting just 63.2 ppg, while shooting a mere 40.2 percent from the field. Jonathan Han is currently leading the squad with 12.3 ppg, while Greg Nero is the only other player averaging double-figures, posting 10.0 ppg. The last time Fairfield was on the court the team's terrible offensive play continued, as the squad was held to just 50 points en route to a 21-point setback to William & Mary. In the loss, the team shot a pathetic 28.1 percent from the field, while netting just 6-of-26 attempts from behind the arc. Nero paced the team with 12 points in the setback, while Han added 11 points, despite shooting just 3-of-11 from the field.

The Greyhounds have also had some inconsistencies at the offensive end of the floor and come into this game averaging 69.8 ppg, while shooting just 41.0 percent from the field. Gerald Brown is the primary scoring threat for Loyola, as the guard is pouring in 19.9 ppg, while also grabbing 4.6 rpg. Marquis Sullivan has been on fire from behind the arc, netting 41.0 percent of his attempts from long range, and is now posting 11.3 ppg. The last time Loyola was on the court the team was embarrassed by Illinois, falling to the Illini by a 71-43 margin. In the setback, the Greyhounds were atrocious from the field, posting a 20-percent shooting effort, which included an equally poor 4-of-27 clip from long range. Despite shooting just 4-of-18 from the floor, Brown led the way in the setback with 16 points. However, no one else on the roster came close to double figures in the setback.

Both Fairfield and Loyola are coming off terrible performances, so expect both teams to improve, especially on offense. The Greyhounds have a slight edge offensively and should be able to slip past Fairfield at home.