Fairfield releases non-conference schedule

Sydney Johnson and Fairfield released 12-game non-conference schedule Monday, which features Stags returning to Purdue in season opener. (Photo by Bob Dea/Daly Dose Of Hoops)

Sydney Johnson exuded confidence when assessing the prospects of his Fairfield team going into the coming season, even as the Stags move on without all-time leading scorer Tyler Nelson, who graduated in May and has now taken his talents to the professional ranks.

Monday evening, the beginning of Fairfield's journey was revealed, in the form of a 12-game non-conference schedule that includes opponents from ten different conferences, including NCAA Tournament participants in each of the Stags' first three contests.

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The action begins on November 6, when Fairfield makes the trip to Mackey Arena for the second straight season, tipping off the year against a Purdue team that was the runner-up in the Big Ten Conference tournament and reached the East Regional semifinals in the NCAA Tournament. From there, the Stags continue on the road, invading the Sojka Pavilion four days later to return a game with reigning Patriot League champion Bucknell. The home opener, at an arena to be determined, will take place on November 13 when Northeast Conference champion LIU Brooklyn makes its way into the Nutmeg State to return a game that Fairfield won last season at Barclays Center. Four days after that, Wagner -- the team LIU defeated to win its first NEC championship since 2013 -- will be next to take on the Stags, either on campus at Alumni Hall or at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport.

The Thanksgiving weekend will see Fairfield fly out to the Pacific Northwest, taking part in a tournament hosted by Seattle University, who the Stags will face in the final game of a three-game event on Sunday, November 25. Longwood and Denver will be Fairfield's first two opponents in the Evergreen State, on November 23 and 24, respectively.

Following the excursion westward, the Stags will return to their familiar eastern confines, first at West Point against Army on December 1 before hosting perennial Horizon League contender Oakland on December 6. Three days later, Old Dominion will welcome Fairfield to the Constant Convocation Center in Norfolk, the second in a two-year home-and-home series the Monarchs started last season on Fairfield's campus. The marquee game on the non-league ledger takes place on December 16, when the Stags visit Boston College in the first of a three-year agreement where the Eagles will return the favor and take the trip down to Bridgeport in the 2019-20 season. Fairfield's final tuneup before Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play comes against New Hampshire, who welcomes the Stags to Lundholm Gymnasium on December 22.

Fairfield Non-Conference Schedule (all times and home venues TBD)

Tuesday, November 6: at Purdue

Saturday, November 10: at Bucknell

Tuesday, November 13: vs. LIU Brooklyn

Saturday, November 17: vs. Wagner

Friday, November 23: vs. Longwood (Seattle University Tournament)

Saturday, November 24: vs. Denver (Seattle University Tournament)

Sunday, November 25: at Seattle (Seattle University Tournament)

Saturday, December 1: at Army West Point

Thursday, December 6: vs. Oakland

Sunday, December 9: at Old Dominion

Sunday, December 16: at Boston College

Saturday, December 22: at New Hampshire