The matchups for the next round of the CIT were announced today on the Collegeinsider.com website. The Fairfield Stags will be coming to Omaha on Monday to take on the Bluejays. Fairfield is a Jesuit school like Creighton.
The Stags came back from a 27 point deficit at George Mason on Tuesday night to win in Overtime 101-96. The comeback was labeled the greatest postseason comeback in NCAA basketball history. This wasn’t the first time they toyed with history in March. Back in 1997, Fairfield toyed with defeating #1 seed North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament leading the Tarheels by 7 at halftime. However, that was the last time Fairfield was in the NCAA tournament.
From the MAAC, Fairfield is led by three players who all average about 15 points a game in Derek Needham, Anthony Johnson and Yorel Hawkins.
If the Bluejays win on Monday against Fairfield, a semifinal game will be played on Wednesday evening, venue to be determined. However, I have a feel that if the Bluejays win on Monday, they will likely host the semifinal game on Wednesday.
Here is the rest of the schedule in the CIT
Appalachian State (23-10) @ Marshall (24-9)
Pacific (21-11) @ Northern Colorado (25-7)
Missouri State (21-12) vs. S. Mississippi (20-13) or La Tech (23-10)
NOTE: Winner of the Thursday’s Southern Mississippi vs. Louisiana Tech will determine site of the this game. If Southern Miss wins Missouri State will be on the road. If Louisiana Tech wins Missouri State will be at home.
We will have more to preview this game soon. In the meantime, enjoy March Madness as it begins today.