Fairfield vs Manhattan Picks and Predictions for Friday, December 5, 2025
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Fairfield and Manhattan square off at Draddy Gymnasium in Riverdale in an early MAAC clash, with tipoff set for 7:00 PM EST on ESPN+. The Stags come in at 5–3 and riding a bit of momentum, while the Jaspers are 3–5 and desperate to stop a three-game skid. This is the kind of conference opener that can set the tone for weeks, and both teams know it. Make sure you check out the full and free college basketball picks.
Fairfield Stags Preview
Fairfield enter at 5–3, and while the raw scoring margin (75.6 scored, 77.6 allowed) doesn’t immediately scream dominance, the Stags have shown they can hang in high-possession, back-and-forth games. Their most recent outing was a gritty 72–68 win over New Hampshire, a solid response after being run out of the gym by Columbia in a 106–77 loss. That bounce-back effort says something about their composure.
Offensively, Fairfield are built around Bryce Sparks, who is averaging 16.1 points per game on 41.2% shooting from the floor and a strong 83.9% at the line. He’s the clear first option, and Manhattan will have to gameplan to keep him out of his comfort spots. The Stags as a whole are putting up 75.6 points per night and pulling down about 42 boards, which is respectable and gives them a chance to stay level on the glass in most MAAC matchups.
The concern is at the defensive end. Fairfield are conceding 77.6 points per game and have struggled at times to slow down teams that push pace or hit early threes. Their assist numbers (10.8 per game) are on the low side, which sometimes shows up as too much one-on-one play or stagnant possessions when Sparks is face-guarded or taken away.
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The Stags’ recent form is mixed but not alarming:
- Beat UNH 72–68
- Hammered by Columbia 106–77
- Road win at Le Moyne 97–83
- Tight win over Loyola (MD) 85–82
- Overtime win vs. St. Thomas 73–71
So you’re looking at a group that has already lived through different game scripts: tight finishes, OT pressure, and at least one blowout loss to a very hot opponent. That experience can help in a close MAAC road game, but the defensive inconsistency is hard to ignore.
Manhattan Jaspers Preview
Manhattan sit at 3–5, and on paper that doesn’t look much better than Fairfield. But dig into the schedule and performance, and you see a side that has been competitive in most of its losses and scoring at a higher clip than the Stags. The Jaspers are averaging 83.8 points per game, but they’re also giving up 87.5, so everything they do is high variance, up-tempo, and occasionally chaotic.
De’Shawn Dinkins leads Manhattan with 15.3 points per game, despite shooting only 34.8% from the field. What keeps him efficient enough to stay aggressive is his free-throw shooting at 86.0% — he doesn’t shy away from contact and can turn drives into points even on nights when the jumper isn’t falling. Around him, there’s enough scoring depth to put pressure on a Fairfield defense that has already conceded 100+ once this year.
On the glass, Manhattan average 46 rebounds per game, which is a solid number and slightly better than Fairfield’s overall board work. They’re also dishing out 14.3 assists per game, meaning they’re not entirely reliant on iso-ball; they can share it, move it, and get multiple players involved.
The recent run has been frustrating, though:
- Lost at Army 81–78 in overtime
- Lost to Wagner 103–101 in overtime
- Blown out at Texas A&M 109–68
- Beat Mississippi Valley State 80–73
- Lost at Hawaii 86–56
Two OT losses in a row suggest this team isn’t far off from a better record. They can score, they compete, but late-game execution and defensive stops have let them down. At home, however, that offensive energy tends to amplify, and Draddy can be a tough gym for visiting MAAC teams, especially early in the season.
Fairfield vs Manhattan Pick
I’m leaning toward Manhattan in this spot, especially with the Jaspers laying a short number at home. Their last two defeats at Army and against Wagner came in overtime, which tells me they’re right there competitively even if the record looks a bit rough. They’re scoring nearly 84 points per game and have a slight edge in playmaking and rebounding volume compared to Fairfield.
Fairfield absolutely have a real scoring threat in Bryce Sparks, and they’ve shown they can grind out wins in close contests. However, their defense is giving up more points than they score across the season, and that’s not a great profile heading into a road game against a team that likes to push pace and pile on points. If Manhattan can force Fairfield into a track meet, the Stags’ defensive issues and relatively low assist numbers could be exposed.
I also like the fact that Manhattan have already been battle-tested in a variety of environments — from Texas A&M to Hawaii — and are now back home, where their energy, tempo, and confidence should naturally rise. Fairfield’s recent blowout loss to Columbia is hard to ignore; when they run into a hot shooting team or a faster tempo, things can get away from them.
With the spread sitting around Manhattan -1.5, I’m comfortable backing the Jaspers to protect home court and ride their offense to a narrow but decisive win. Make sure you know about how the fans are looking on prediction markets for Fairfield with the Thrillz promo code. Make the most of your bets on Manhattan by using the sportsbook promos. Make sure when you place your Fairfield vs Manhattan bet you are using the bet365 bonus code.
My pick: Manhattan Jaspers -1.5
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