Niagara Purple Eagles vs Fairfield Stags Picks and Predictions for Thursday January 22 2026
The Niagara Purple Eagles travel to Leo D. Mahoney Arena to take on the Fairfield Stags on Thursday, January 22, 2026, with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 PM EST. This MAAC matchup will be televised on ESPN+. The moneyline is currently off the board for this game, while Fairfield is listed as a 10.5-point home favorite. The total is set at 139.5 points with the Over at -108 and the Under at -112. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more daily NCAA basketball betting insights.
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Purple Eagles Searching for Answers on the Road
The Niagara Purple Eagles enter this matchup with a 5-13 overall record and have struggled away from home this season. Over their last five games, Niagara has recently lost to Mount Saint Mary’s, Manhattan, Iona, and Fairfield, while picking up a road win over Canisius, showing flashes of competitiveness despite inconsistent results.
Statistically, Niagara is averaging just 62.9 points per game while allowing 73.1 points per contest. They are shooting 42% from the field and pulling down only 28.5 rebounds per game, which has made it difficult for them to control tempo or generate second-chance opportunities.
One area where the Purple Eagles try to stay competitive is on the defensive activity side. Niagara averages 5.5 steals and 3.4 blocks per game, but turnovers and rebounding issues often negate those efforts, especially against deeper, more physical teams.
Stags Looking to Take Care of Business at Home
The Fairfield Stags come into Thursday night with an 11-9 overall record and have been solid at home this season. In their last five games, Fairfield has recently won over Manhattan, Rider, and Niagara, while suffering road losses to Siena and Marist, highlighting a clear split between home and away performances.
From a numbers standpoint, Fairfield is averaging 77.6 points per game while allowing 74 points per contest. They shoot 43% from the field and dominate the glass with 38.8 rebounds per game, giving them a significant physical edge in most matchups.
Rebounding is where Fairfield truly separates itself. The Stags’ ability to control the boards limits opponents’ possessions and fuels their transition offense, which has been a major reason for their recent success against conference opponents like Niagara. 
Niagara Purple Eagles vs Fairfield Stags Pick
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Joe Duffy | +1,910.00 |
| 2 |  Steve Seagrave | +1,460.00 |
| 3 |  Sean Higgs | +1,338.00 |
| 4 |  Bryan Power | +905.00 |
| 5 |  Ben Burns | +519.00 |
Niagara Purple Eagles vs Fairfield Stags Pick
- Pick: Fairfield -10.5
Fairfield holds clear advantages in scoring, rebounding, and overall depth. Niagara has struggled to keep games close against stronger MAAC teams, and Fairfield’s ability to control the paint and tempo makes them well-positioned to pull away, especially on their home floor.
Niagara Purple Eagles vs Fairfield Stags Total Pick
- Pick: Under 139.5
I’m leaning toward the Under in this matchup because Niagara has difficulty generating consistent offense, and Fairfield is comfortable slowing games down once they establish a lead. With Niagara averaging under 63 points per game, this total feels slightly inflated.
Final Score Prediction: Fairfield 78, Niagara 60
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