Fordham fans will have nine chances to see Mandell Thomas lead Rams into battle at Rose Hill Gym in first season under new head coach Jeff Neubauer. (Photo courtesy of The Fordham Ram)
A constant goal for Tom Pecora when assembling his Fordham teams' schedules on a yearly basis was getting more home games at Rose Hill Gymnasium. As the years passed, the Rams were able to attract opponents to the Bronx, but still not to the level the now-former head coach desired.
Pecora was replaced by Jeff Neubauer in March, but the same scheduling philosophy has remained through the transition in regimes, and was revealed this afternoon as Fordham released its nonconference schedule, one that sees a nine-game homestand for the Rams before the beginning of Atlantic 10 play.
Fordham's lone road game in the first half of the season will be its opener against Texas-Arlington on Saturday, November 14, in the Rams' first-ever meeting against the Mavericks. Three days later, the first of nine consecutive home dates for Fordham comes against Division II Queens College, with Fairleigh Dickinson visiting Rose Hill on November 21, and Colgate on November 24 before the two highlights of the non-league slate.
On November 28, the 107th Battle of the Bronx will see the Rams entertain crosstown rival Manhattan once again, with the Jaspers coming to Fordham for the first time in three years. Following the clash against the two-time reigning Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champions, St. John's comes over the Whitestone Bridge for a December 2 tilt that will see Chris Mullin and the Red Storm take the floor at Fordham for the first time since December 11, 2010, when the Rams overcame a 21-point second-half deficit to score an 84-81 upset marked by a sellout crowd storming the court.
A pair of Northeast Conference opponents are next on the ledger, with Central Connecticut State (December 5) and LIU Brooklyn (December 8) being welcomed by the Rams, who also host Coppin State on December 13. Fordham's final home game before A-10 play comes against Maine on December 19, and their last non-league skirmish is a neutral site showdown with Boston College on December 22 as part of the Atlantic 10/ACC Challenge at Barclays Center.
2015-16 Fordham Rams Nonconference Schedule
Saturday, November 14: at Texas-Arlington, 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 17: vs. Queens College, 7 p.m.
Saturday, November 21: vs. Fairleigh Dickinson, 2 p.m.
Tuesday, November 24: vs. Colgate, 8 p.m.
Saturday, November 28: vs. Manhattan, 5 p.m. (107th Battle of the Bronx)
Wednesday, December 2: vs. St. John's, 7 p.m.
Saturday, December 5: vs. Central Connecticut State, 4 p.m.
Tuesday, December 8: vs. LIU Brooklyn, 7 p.m.
Sunday, December 13: vs. Coppin State, 1 p.m.
Saturday, December 19: vs. Maine, 2 p.m.
Tuesday, December 22: vs. Boston College, TBA (Atlantic 10/ACC Challenge, Barclays Center)
Pretty weak OOC, but one that realistically reflects the weakness of the Fordham program. Of the three "names" on this schedule, the St John's and BC games are the most winnable, since both of those programs are either rebuilding (the Johnnies) or stuck in the basement (BC). Manhattan has to revamp after losing some players, but that game may be a tougher one for the Rams.
ReplyDeleteGiven the weakness of the OOC and the absence of any tough tests on the road, Could be a rough time for Fordham once A10 play starts.
Much enthused about Jeff Neubauer as coach; team lacked offensive prowess unde3r previous regime. talent is there to pull off surprise of a season.
ReplyDelete