Matchups to Watch on Monday for Yale @ Fairfield

Undefeated at their beautiful new on-campus arena, Fairfield will host Yale on Monday, their toughest opponent at the Leo D. Mahoney arena so far this season. 

Projected by most prognosticators as a mid-single digit victory for Yale, here are a few matchups that could tip the scales for tomorrow’s game:

Fairfield’s Three-Point Offense vs. Yale’s Perimeter Defense

Shooting 42.4% of their field goal attempts from three (79th highest ratio nationally), the Stags’ early season shooting struggle (27.4 3p%) has been a major factor in close losses against Mercer (3 for 23 from three) and Manhattan (7 for 31 from three). 

Poor starts from TJ Long (22.4 3p% this season, 40.3 3p% last season) and Jake Wojcik (19.4 3p% this season, career 35.0 3p%) are the biggest factors in the Stags’ perimeter inefficiency while Yale’s tough three-point defense (opponents shoot 30.3% from three, 70th lowest in the nation, while opponents have attempted only 32.4% of their field goal attempts from deep, good for 53rd lowest) make it a sure bet for Fairfield to continue their shooting slump on Monday.

Fairfield’s Caleb Fields vs. Yale’s Bez Mbeng

Not only has Bowling Green transfer Caleb Fields been impervious to Fairfield’s bricklaying pandemic, but he has clearly become the number one scoring option for the Stags: over the last four games, Fields has averaged 17.5 points, 5.0 free throw attempts and a 64.0 2p% in 37.9 minutes per game. In addition to his counting stats, Fields has been Fairfield’s most efficient non-big offense, according to Evanmiya.com.

On Monday, Fields will draw one of his toughest assignments of the season, matching up with Yale’s defensive maestro Bez Mbeng. The 6’4 195 point guard is currently ranked as Yale’s most efficient defender, according to Evanmiya.com, blessed with quick feet, elite positional length and an endless motor. 

Case in point: Saturday against Kentucky, Mbeng helped limit Kentucky guards Sahvir Wheeler, Antonio Reeves and CJ Fredrick to a combined 20 points on 8 for 23 on shooting (34.7 fg%).

 Yale’s Interior Offense vs. Fairfield’s Frontcourt

Much of this matchup depends on the health of Yale’s star forward Matt Knowling (DNP vs Kentucky, 16.1 ppg, 63.2 fg%), but the performance of sophomore forward Jack Molloy (14 points (career high), 2 threes made, 55.5 fg%) and EJ Jarvis (12 points, 50.0 fg%) against Kentucky flexed Yale’s frontcourt depth in Knowling’s absence. 

Both of the aforementioned forwards lineup at 6’8 220-225 and have shared the floor with more regularity, at times, playing alongside the 6'6 205 Knowling for Yale’s biggest lineup. 

Senior forwards Chris Maidoh and Allan Jeanne-Rose are arguably two of Fairfield’s best defenders and will provide a tough challenge for Yale’s forwards.