HACKENSACK, N.J. –  Just when you finish the last of your Thanksgiving leftovers tomorrow afternoon, the Knights will provide some basketball to consume. FDU (3-5, 0-0) and Fairfield (3-4, 0-0) are set to battle in Connecticut at 2 p.m. Sunday, December 1. Fans can watch the game on ESPN+.
 
The Stags own an 18-7 advantage in the all-time series over the Knights. Last season, Chris Casey's team trounced FDU 92-69 on their home floor in Hackensack (12/15/23). In fact, the Stags have claimed eight of the last nine contests against FDU dating back to 1972. The lone exception came on 12/22/20 when the Knights beat Fairfield in Connecticut 69-65. Coincidentally, this was the last time these two teams played at Fairfield.  
 
It was three-point shooting that helped Fairfield run away with the matchup last season. The Stags knocked down eight tripples in the first half. The Knights are hoping that is not the case on Sunday as Fairfield has struggled from beyond the arc this season, only shooting 27.5% from deep.
 
Fairfield enters Sunday with a 3-4 record. Last Sunday (11/24), they won a 67-66 thriller over Vermont. This game featured nine lead changes and nine ties. Fairfield's largest lead was a mere seven points. The Stags' bench provided 40 points in the winning effort.
 
Balanced scoring has been a theme for Fairfield as they have four players averaging between 8 and 11 points per game. They are led by Prophet Johnson (11.2ppg) a junior guard from Dayton, Ohio.  As a team they only average 66.3 points per game and shoot below 40% from the field. They have found wins thanks to only allowing 69.9 points per night.
 
This is quite the contrast to an FDU squad that is leading the NEC in scoring at 81.5 points per contest. The Knights are shooting 46.3% from the field and 38.8% from deep. Both figures also lead the conference. FDU has scored 70+ points in their games against Creighton and Saint Peter's, two teams who give up less than 70 per contest on average. They exploded for 85 in a win over Manhattan.
 
They are led by Terrence Brown who is second in the country in total points (185) and eighth in points per game (23.1). The Minnesota native has been efficient, too. The guard connects on over 50% of his field goals and makes over 41% of his shots from deep. In a loss against Saint Peter's, Brown made 11 of 12 free throw attempts.
 
Defensively, FDU ranks eighth in points per game allowed in the NEC. This contrast in styles should make for an incredibly interesting game on Sunday afternoon at Leo D. Mahoney Arena.
 
FDU will remain on the road after visiting Fairfield. The Knights will head to the Bronx to take on Fordham on Wednesday, December 4. This game tips at 7 p.m. on SNY/ESPN+.